Lead Specialist, Portfolio Management

The Advanced Specialist, Portfolio Management provides critical analytical and operational support for Pearson’s channel distribution partners, including bookstores and digital fulfillment providers. This role enables data‑driven decision‑making, ensures consistent performance reporting, and supports commercial execution by maintaining the operational backbone of partner relationships.

This is an individual contributor role with high cross‑functional visibility, partnering closely with Sales, Commercial Product Management, Digital Fulfillment, Legal, and Finance to ensure strong commercial performance and execution.

Key Responsibilities

Performance Reporting & Analytics

• Build, maintain, and distribute recurring reporting on partner commercial health, KPIs, and contractual performance metrics
• Analyze performance trends across strategic and channel partners to surface risks, opportunities, and actionable insights
• Prepare executive‑ready dashboards and briefing materials for Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and leadership updates
• Support the development of SWOT analyses for partner relationships

Business Planning & Budget Support

• Assist in the development and ongoing maintenance of business plans and budgets for strategic and channel partnerships
• Monitor plan‑to‑actual performance, identify variances, and recommend course‑correcting actions
• Maintain forecasting models that support commercial growth targets

Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis

• Gather, synthesize, and maintain market intelligence and competitive insights related to channel and strategic partners
• Produce regular competitive landscape summaries to support partner strategy and prioritization
• Research emerging platforms, technologies, and fulfillment models to inform partnership innovation

Commercial & Contract Operations

• Support contract lifecycle management, including tracking key terms, renewal dates, obligations, and compliance milestones
• Maintain a centralized repository of commercial agreements and partner commitments
• Coordinate documentation and follow‑ups related to contract negotiations and renewals

Cross‑Functional Coordination & Operations

• Serve as an operational coordinator across Sales, Commercial Product Management, Digital Fulfillment, Legal, and Finance
• Coordinate inputs and deliverables for partner engagement activities, including QBRs, planning cycles, executive reviews, and operational optimization efforts
• Track action items and follow‑ups from cross‑functional meetings and partner interactions

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting, tracking, and operational workflows within the partnerships function
• Support the modernization of tools, templates, and processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability

Required Qualifications

• Analytical Skills: Strong proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and visualization; working knowledge of Excel or Google Sheets and PowerPoint; Tableau or Power BI preferred; basic understanding of AI concepts a plus
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholders in a matrixed environment
• Communication: Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills; experience preparing materials for executive audiences
• Business Acumen: Understanding of commercial partnerships, contract structures, Higher Education, Inclusive & Equitable Access models, and channel or sales operations
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in an analyst, operations, sales support, or partnerships role, ideally within education, publishing, or a similarly complex organization
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Comfort working across departments and supporting senior stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CRM or partner management platforms (e.g., Salesforce)
• Familiarity with digital fulfillment, bookstore channels, or higher education markets
• Exposure to contract management or procurement processes

Why Join Pearson

At Pearson, you’ll work at the intersection of data, partnerships, and learning impact. You’ll collaborate with talented teams, contribute to strategic decision‑making, and help strengthen the commercial foundations that support learners around the world.