Lead, Finance Business Partner

Pearson•Hoboken, NJ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Finance Business Partner who will provide vital financial, commercial, and strategic insights to the PPA leadership team. In this role, you will work closely with the Global Operations functions to drive performance, champion innovation, optimize investment, and enable sustainable business growth. This is a highly collaborative and visible position, ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys influencing key decisions that underpin growth and operational excellence. The role reports to the Executive Partner, Finance Business Partner – Professional Assessments and is supported by Pearson Financial Services (PFS). You will be responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately $200M in global operations spend, supporting a $900M revenue business. The position offers excellent career progression within Pearson’s global finance organization and is suited to individuals aspiring toward Finance Director or Chief Financial Officer roles.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field.
Demonstrable experience in business financial analysis or relevant finance roles.
Strong financial modelling and analytical skills.
Experience evaluating both organic and inorganic investment opportunities.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and Outlook.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage with senior leadership.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and cost-benefit evaluation capabilities.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, effectively balancing multiple priorities with a disciplined and detail-oriented approach.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Oracle, Hyperion Essbase/SmartView, and Planning is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for the operations business within Pearson Professional Assessments.
Develop financial models to support new product launches, investments, and market expansion opportunities.
Support month-end close activities, including variance analysis and preparation of corporate-level reporting packages.
Analyse performance against targets, identify key variances, and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
Deliver the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and Long Range Plan (LRP) processes, ensuring risks are mitigated and opportunities are maximised.
Work closely with PPA leadership to align financial objectives with overall business strategy.
Act as a trusted advisor by providing commercial insight and challenging underlying assumptions.
Evaluate business cases for new investments, partnerships, and product development initiatives.
Advise on investment allocation to foster sustainable growth.
Track and report on financial performance, key performance indicators (KPIs), and return on investment (ROI).
Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, efficiency improvements, and revenue growth.
Present clear, actionable insights to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
Provide financial support for key projects and growth initiatives.
Conduct financial due diligence and assess potential ROI for new ventures.
Partner with project managers to ensure strong financial discipline throughout the project lifecycle.
Support acquisition integration, value creation, and process transformation initiatives.
Prepare and deliver timely financial reports, dashboards, and presentations.
Synthesise data from multiple sources to uncover trends, risks, and opportunities.
Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulatory requirements.