Job Title - Lead Specialist, Finance Business Partner (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

Description - Senior Finance Business Partner responsible for leading financial planning, investment analysis and strategic business partnering across Pearson's Corporate Functions. This role is aligned to other titles in the market such as Senior Finance Business Partner, Commercial Finance Manager, Strategic Finance Manager and FP&A Manager.

About the Role

We are seeking a commercially focused Finance Business Partner to join Pearson on a 12-month fixed term contract covering maternity leave.

This role will lead financial planning, performance management and investment governance across Pearson's Corporate Functions. Acting as the finance lead and trusted advisor to senior leaders and their leadership teams, you will provide strategic insight, financial challenge and decision support to ensure investments deliver measurable value and align with business priorities.

Working across a complex global organisation, you will collaborate with multiple finance teams to coordinate planning, allocation and reporting activities while ensuring strong financial controls, accurate forecasting and high-quality financial insight.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional who enjoys operating in a fast-paced, matrix environment and influencing senior stakeholders on strategic and operational decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Business Partnering

• Partner with senior leadership teams to translate strategic objectives into operational and financial plans.
• Support investment prioritisation activities, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximise business value.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing financial insight and commercial challenge to support decision-making.
• Provide broader business and operational perspectives alongside financial analysis.

Investment Management

• Lead the financial evaluation and quantification of investments designed to improve services, drive growth and enhance profitability.
• Develop business cases and financial models to support investment decisions.
• Track investment performance against approved plans and identify risks, opportunities and required corrective actions.
• Monitor benefit realisation and return on investment outcomes.

Financial Planning & Performance Management

• Ensure accurate financial reporting, forecasting and planning across Corporate Functions.
• Maintain visibility of financial risks and opportunities, ensuring senior stakeholders are aware of key drivers of performance.
• Partner with finance teams across the organisation to ensure alignment and consistency in planning and reporting activities.
• Support ongoing performance reviews and financial analysis.

Financial Control & Governance

• Ensure an effective financial control environment is maintained across all locations and functional areas.
• Work closely with shared service finance teams to deliver high-quality support and reporting.
• Ensure financial risks are identified, understood and appropriately controlled.
• Oversee divisional allocations to ensure they are accurate, timely and well governed.

Reporting & Executive Communication

• Deliver clear, concise and insightful reporting to senior leadership teams.
• Present recommendations, findings and business insights in a way that supports executive decision making.
• Analyse complex financial and operational data sets to identify key trends and opportunities.
• Facilitate discussions that drive action and improve business outcomes.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience in Finance Business Partnering, Commercial Finance or Financial Planning & Analysis.
• Strong financial analysis, forecasting and business modelling skills.
• Experience operating within complex, global matrix organisations.
• Strong understanding of both operating expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX).
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Proven ability to analyse large and complex data sets and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Strong commercial mindset with a focus on business performance and value creation.
• Ability to adapt quickly within changing business environments.

Desirable

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience supporting strategic investment and transformation programmes.
• Previous experience working with senior leadership teams in large global organisations.

Why Join Pearson?

• High-profile Finance Business Partner role supporting senior Corporate Function leaders.
• Opportunity to influence strategic investment decisions and business planning.
• Broad exposure across functions within a global organisation.
• Collaborative environment with significant stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent opportunity to further develop strategic finance, business partnering and leadership capabilities.
• 12-month fixed term opportunity with immediate business impact and visibility.

Key Attributes for Success

• Naturally curious and analytical, with a passion for asking "what if?" and "why?"
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering accurate financial insight.
• Creative thinker who uses data and insight to drive continuous improvement.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• Comfortable influencing and challenging stakeholders at senior levels.

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, New York State, New York City, Washington State, and Washington DC laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:   The minimum full-time salary range is between $105,000 - $145,000 per annum. (US applicants only)  This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here. 

Application Deadline:

Applications will be accepted through August 7th, 2026. This window may be extended depending on business needs.