Limited term position for 9 months

Role Summary

Responsible for managing a mid-sized team (8-10) providing financial analysis and support for the Pearson Consumer & Digital Services – Digital & Technology, Corporate Marketing & Communications and Direct to Consumer (DTC) Divisions; well as BPM support to stakeholders in the Pearson Consumer & Digital Services.

This position will work with the local BPM in partnering with the business, and through having an in depth understanding of the business areas supported will be able to support them in their operational activities and strategic objectives whilst maintaining integrity in their financial reporting. Collaboration, partnership, and stakeholder management are foundational to success in this role.

This role will involve working in a changing environment, managing a team during transformational change in how Pearson operate their business.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

Support in the preparation of the Strategic Plan financials and targets

Monitor the financial progress against the Strategic Plan submitted, giving analysis where relevant of deviations to plan.

Support the Annual Operating Planning and Rolling Forecasting processes

Review current performance of business & assess major risks & opportunities

Prepare profitability analysis and variance analysis and report on findings with documented conclusions

Prepare and review Project Accounting budgets and incorporate into consolidated op plan pack for review with the business

Provide reasoned advice on modelling, planning, and forecasting with reference to cost, time and quality which incorporate the organization strategic direction.

Work with the Local BPM and Business to ensure all submissions are received in a timely manner to PFS

Compile documents and prepare supporting documentation including presentations for review with the Local BPM and key business stakeholders.

Track the Business financial targets through transfers and between planning cycles, clearly and simply explaining movements in the targets

Financial Analysis

Review products & projects to ensure accounting is in line with policies

Request accrual or other accounting adjustments that are judgement based

Provide analysis to support decision-making, including presenting economic outcomes, identifying the key value drivers, benefits, sensitivities and risks, accounting and fiscal implications.

Support problem solving using sensitivity analysis and other techniques; review variance analyses and account reconciliations and identify significant items requiring the attention of higher-level management.

Prepare analysis and reports that enable the business management to effectively challenge costs and inform decision-making.

Participate in efforts with the business to understand key drivers and cost reduction opportunities.

Review and QA various outputs including month end accounts and reporting packs prepared in PFS for Senior Management in the business and the local BPM

Support the resolution of problems identified through the review and quality assurance processes

Provide additional commentary based on the business knowledge on packs to be provided to the business and local BPM, and work with the business to resolve queries in the accounts

Deliver project-based work alongside ‘business as usual’ in an environment of ongoing change and development.

People Management

Manage direct reports by motivating, developing, and leading them in accordance with Pearson policies.

Conduct regular Personal Development Reviews as per Pearson policy

To communicate honestly with your team, providing constructive feedback

To effectively manage the time and attendance of all Employees in your area, setting and achieving of deadlines/targets.

To effectively implement positive change within the department, lead and motivate employees.

Required Skills:

Communication:

Strong verbal and written skills within finance, across the organization and with external parties.

Communicates financial information and concepts in a clear, precise, thorough manner to meet the needs of both finance and non-finance audiences.

Appreciates the diversity of stakeholder interactions and adapts personal style as well as approach accordingly.

Influence:

Presence and confidence to interact with senior management. Ability to leverage influence across teams and cultures.

Identifies the agendas, concerns, and motivations of interested others, and is persuasive when positioning ideas and arguments to address them.

Ensures that all proposals or arguments are fully supported by strong logic and a compelling business case, addressing all relevant factors.

Emotional Intelligence:

Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skill, and the ability to apply it to work successfully in a matrix environment.

Collaboration:

with other internal teams and third-party providers.

Decision Making:

understanding materiality, complex and uncertain situation, prioritization

Critically and logically evaluates potential short and long-term costs, risks, and benefits.

Performance focused:

In terms of self & others

Time Management:

ability to work under pressure and to tight timelines, producing a high standard of work with attention to detail.

Analytics focused:

organizing information and manipulates data, develops reporting to identify/explain trends, problems, and mitigating actions.

Driving change:

identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation

Understands the change management process. Able to influence and lead others to embrace change positively in support of organizational objectives.

Essential qualifications and experience required:

5 years minimum experience in a Finance Management role/BPM role

Strong accounting knowledge – holding a recognised professional accountancy qualification (consideration will be given to candidates without a qualification who can demonstrate they meet the other experience requirements)

Excellent understanding of materiality and ability to prioritize across competing demands

Experience of finance ERP systems (Oracle preferred but not essential)

Demonstrable experience of managing end to end forecasting and budgeting cycles.

Understanding of financial control, business performance management and process optimization and experience of working in more than one of these areas

Advanced user of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel (v-lookups, sum-ifs, pivot tables etc.)

3 years minimum line management experience

A self-starter who is motivated to work under own initiative demonstrating initiative and sound judgement.

Ability to work as part of a wider management team, identifying and providing support to colleagues

Ability to work to strict deadlines and to be able to prioritise to meet those deadlines.

Desirable skills:

Experience working in a multi-national matrix organization.

Awareness of multiple business models and experience of working with more than one.

Understand the principles of change management and demonstrated ability to champion and drive change.

Participation in international projects.

Experience transitioning finance activities between locations/groups.

Your rewards & benefits

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too.

Please see our attractive UK benefits here: Pearson Jobs - Benefits

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing ppsmhr@pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: FINANCE

Organization: Corporate Finance

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Req ID: 13235