Finance Business Partner

About Clinical Assessments

At Pearson Assessments, we provide reliable educational and psychological assessment tools used every day by professionals across psychology, speech therapy, and education. As the leading creator of standardized assessments, we are committed to developing diverse, high-quality tools that support evidence-based decisions. Our team continually innovates to deliver new and updated assessments each year—helping learners and practitioners achieve meaningful outcomes.

About the role

We're looking for a Finance Business Partner to provide financial, commercial, and strategic insights to the Clinical Assessments leadership team. You will work closely with Technology and Product functions to drive performance, support innovation, optimise investment, and enable sustainable growth.

This highly collaborative and visible role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys influencing decisions that drive growth and operational excellence. Reporting to the Senior Director, Finance – Clinical Assessments, and supported by Pearson Financial Services (PFS), you'll manage a portfolio of approximately $50M in Technology, Product, and investment spend within a $300M+ revenue business.

The role offers strong career progression within Pearson's global finance organisation, suitable for those aspiring to a Finance Director or CFO pathway.

Location: We welcome applications from candidates based in London, UK, with a hybrid working arrangement from our central London office. US-based candidates will be considered for remote opportunities.

Key responsibilities:

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for Clinical Assessments' Technology and Product functions.
• Develop financial models to support new product launches, investments, and market expansion.
• Support month-end close activities, including variance analysis and corporate-level reporting packages.
• Analyze performance against targets, identifying key variances and recommending corrective actions.
• Deliver Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and Long Range Plan (LRP) processes, ensuring risks are mitigated and opportunities maximized.

Strategic Business Partnering

• Collaborate with Clinical leadership to align financial objectives with business strategy.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing commercial insight and challenging assumptions.
• Evaluate business cases for new investments, partnerships, and product development.
• Advise on investment allocation to drive sustainable growth.

Performance Management

• Track and report on financial performance, KPIs, and ROI
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, efficiency improvements, and revenue growth.
• Present clear, actionable insights to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Project & Initiative Support

• 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 financial discipline throughout project lifecycles.
• Support acquisition integration, value creation, and process transformation initiatives.

Reporting & Insights

• Prepare and deliver timely financial reports, dashboards, and presentations.
• Synthesize data from multiple sources to uncover trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulatory requirements.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Demonstrable experience in business financial analysis or relevant finance roles.
• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Experience evaluating organic and inorganic investment opportunities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, Outlook).
• Experience with Oracle, Hyperion Essbase/SmartView, and Planning is a strong plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to partner with senior leadership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and cost-benefit evaluation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities with a disciplined and detail-oriented approach.

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 $125,000 - $155,000 per annum. (US applicants only)

Applications will be accepted through Wednesday 22nd October. This window may be extended depending on business needs. 

This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here.