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- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and analysis to support key decision-making at Pearson.
- Company: Join Pearson, a global leader in lifelong learning and education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategies that shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Recognised accountancy qualification and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A high-visibility finance role providing critical insight, reporting, and forecasting to support Pearson's CFO, Executive Team, and Board-level decision-making.
About The Role
This is a high-visibility role at the heart of Company's financial decision-making. As Finance Manager within the Group Financial Planning & Management Information team, you will provide reporting and insights for the CFO, Deputy CFO, Executive Team, and Board - shaping how the business understands performance, plans for the future, and communicates externally. You will deliver core management reporting, robust forecasts, and play a key role in validating financial data and commentary provided to investors and the market.
Key Responsibilities
- Management Reporting & Analysis: Own the monthly internal management reporting process. This includes the reporting timetable, communication, and the design, development and maintenance of divisional trading pack templates. Analyse monthly results, identify key drivers and anomalies, and work with business units to understand variances. Prepare Group month-end results and monthly management reporting for Board and Executive review. Produce ad hoc analysis that supports leadership decision-making.
- External Reporting & Communications: Support the preparation of Group Prelims, Interims, and Annual Report, including relevant disclosures. Provide ad hoc support to Investor Relations. Verify the accuracy and consistency of financial and operational data used in external announcements, presentations, and reporting.
- Financial Planning: Review divisional plans, identify inconsistencies and risks, and follow up as required. Deliver consolidated group financial plans and supporting analysis.
- Collaboration & General Activity: Work closely with Finance colleagues across Business Partnering, Shared Services, Group Reporting, Financial Control, and Centres of Excellence. Partner with teams including Investor Relations, Reward, and Group Strategy. Contribute to the wider financial planning and reporting community, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Skills
- Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex financial data.
- Strong data wrangling skills, including bringing together disparate data sources, transforming and integrating data, and improving repeatability of reporting processes.
- Commercial mindset - able to extract insight from financial data.
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills, tailored for senior audiences.
- Broad finance knowledge, with judgement on when to draw on specialist expertise.
- Confident stakeholder management, including the ability to challenge constructively.
- Highly organised and adaptable, comfortable operating in a fast-changing environment.
- Curious and improvement-focused, with the ability to identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, or automate reporting where appropriate.
Qualifications & Experience
- Recognised accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or MBA.
- 2+ years post-qualification experience.
- Strong Excel and financial modelling capability.
- Experience with data visualisation tools.
- Exposure to group reporting or consolidation systems (Oracle / Hyperion advantageous).
About The Team
The Group Planning and Management Information team sits at the centre of Pearson's financial decision-making. The team delivers management reporting, forecasting, and planning for the Board and senior leadership, and plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy of financial information used externally. The team works closely with Group Finance, Investor Relations, and Business Partnering teams.
Who We Are
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. 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 actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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 TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.
Lead Specialist, Financial Planning & MI employer: Pearson Education
Contact Detail:
Pearson Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Specialist, Financial Planning & MI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Pearson through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the company culture and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common finance questions. We should also be ready to discuss how our skills align with the role's requirements, especially around management reporting and financial analysis.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our data wrangling skills! Bring examples of how we've transformed complex data into actionable insights. This will impress the hiring team and demonstrate our commercial mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in joining the Pearson team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Specialist, Financial Planning & MI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial planning and management reporting. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data wrangling and analysis, don’t forget to mention your proficiency with Excel and any data visualisation tools you’ve used. We love seeing how you can transform complex data into insightful reports!
Communicate Clearly: Your application should reflect your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language to tell us about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Remember, storytelling is key when addressing senior audiences!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson Education
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss key metrics relevant to the role. Understand how to interpret financial data and be prepared to explain how you would approach management reporting and analysis.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
Since this role involves communicating insights to senior audiences, practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and engaging way. Use examples from your past experiences where you've successfully conveyed financial information to stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Prepare to discuss specific instances where your attention to detail made a significant impact on a project or report. Highlight your experience with data wrangling and how you ensure accuracy in financial reporting.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle inconsistencies in financial data. Think of scenarios where you've had to analyse variances or validate financial information, and be ready to share your thought process.
