Product Owner: International Benefits 

Who are we? 

 At Pearson, we’re committed to a world that’s always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it’s one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology — and each other to surpass these boundaries — we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world’s innovations, personal and global, large and small. 

What you’ll do 

 As the International Benefits Product Owner, you will serve as the global expert responsible for optimizing systems, processes, and policies to deliver a seamless benefits experience for employees. You’ll be a strategic subject matter expert and operational driver, introducing innovative solutions to simplify benefits delivery and enhance employee satisfaction across Pearson’s diverse geographies.

Your primary focus is on creating a consumer-grade benefits experience, ensuring that global priorities are effectively adapted to meet local needs. Acting as the technical and functional superuser for benefits, you will bridge the gap between Pearson’s Benefits COE (the Consultant), the Care teams (the Delivery Teams), and HR Solutions.

This role is pivotal in understanding the needs of all stakeholders to deliver an exceptional benefits experience. You’ll define product requirements for daily benefits delivery through the Country Care or Global People Care teams, prioritize the product backlog, and manage stakeholder expectations. Additionally, you will ensure the development and implementation of solutions aligned with the Benefits COE strategy. Your duties will include: 

System Configuration (Low to No Code)

Take ownership of basic system configurations in Oracle Fusion, focusing on Exit-related processes as the designated Exits technical superuser. Partner with HR Solutions team members to cross train on your specialty area as well as engage in the Oracle Product roadmaps.  Drive adoption and oversee change management for Exit-related Fusion updates, collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.

Process Architecture

Develop and document comprehensive process maps for Employee Relations and HR operations. Lead process modelling activities, including mapping "as-is" and "to-be" states, analysing information flows, controls, and system architecture using industry-standard tools. Facilitate the definition of the skills required for the delivery teams to perform their roles effectively.

Support the Orchestration of Classic Benefits Renewal Time

Help plan international renewals and structure their review for both the Consultant and the Delivery team. Participate in reviews and retrospectives to guide the renewal process. Ensure timely reviews for any potential provider changes.

Requirement Gathering and Analysis

Work closely with Country Care and Benefits Consultant stakeholders to gather requirements and understand their needs. Translate business requirements into global and local initiatives within the Benefits area, providing impact assessments, identifying areas for improvement, providing configuration support and resolving related escalations or defects.   Analyze and prioritize these requirements to ensure alignment with overall team goals.

Team Process Architecture

Develop and document comprehensive process maps for Delivery and Consultant teams. Lead process modelling activities, including mapping "as-is" and "to-be" states, analyzing information flows, controls, and system architecture using industry-standard tools. Facilitate the definition of the skills required for the delivery teams to perform their roles effectively.

Backlog Management

Maintain and prioritize the architecture support backlog, ensuring it reflects current needs and priorities. Define clear and actionable user stories and acceptance criteria.

Stakeholder Communication

Serve as the primary point of contact between the Care team, Benefits Consultant, and the HR Solutions team. Communicate delivery architecture vision, goals, and progress to stakeholders and team members. Facilitate regular updates and feedback sessions with stakeholders.

User Testing and Feedback Amongst Care (Delivery)

Organize and oversee user testing sessions to gather feedback on product functionality. Analyze feedback and incorporate necessary changes into the product backlog.

Continuous Improvement

Monitor case trend evolution, challenges in-country, and cost-to-serve evolution. Stay updated with benefits trends and technologies to propose innovative solutions.

Who you will work with 

 You’ll work on a team of HR Product Owners and report to the HR Product and Process Manager.  Your team is part of the Digital Experience team, reporting into the HR Operations organization. Your global remit will give you a chance to work with our Country Care local HR operatives, who jointly support HR services in more than 60 countries.   

Who you are 

Obsessed with employee experience   Promoter of agile programs of work and deliverables  Wired for stakeholder engagement – capable of driving consensus and, when appropriate, holding firm to overriding principles  Capable and willing to respectfully and firmly challenge the status quo (“we ask why”)  Technically savvy: able to learn and operate in complex global software systems  Pays close attention to detail while able to understand and apply over-arching initiative goals to decision making   Compliance-minded while managing the complexity of a global operation  Balanced HR perspective – understanding and advocating the importance of Learning and its context within the broader HR remit.  Student of simplification and making complex processes appear simple to the end user  Proven ability to be hands-on while working with stakeholders in a matrixed environment.  Agile and effective change manager  Flexible to support projects in different time zones