Head of Policy and Stakeholder Management Schools

Role Location: This is a hybrid role with a minimum of two days a week in either our Oxford or London Pearson UK offices, as required dependent on business needs.

Job Purpose

As Head of Policy and Stakeholder Management for Schools, you will be responsible for leading our UK policy strategy and stakeholder engagement strategy to ensure that we have deep understanding and insight into the changing policy landscape, a clear internal position and set of strategic priorities, and the network and relationships to influence effectively – in order to achieve our educational and business objectives.

You will sit on the Product leadership team and will work closely with broader teams including Schools and Workforce Skills teams, Corporate Communications and Government Relations.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.Lead policy and funding analysis to ensure potential impacts on the business are understood, communicated, and acted on

• Monitor relevant policy and funding developments including on performance tables, to identify potential opportunities and challenges.

• Lead internal and external analysis on relevant policy and funding developments and make recommendations for action.

• Keep the broader business and teams informed of relevant policy and provide insight on implications, opportunities and risks.

• Build strong collaboration model and ways of working with all relevant teams to ensure good engagement in and understanding of policy and cohesive ways of working.

• Work closely with Workforce Skills counterparts to share insight and to ensure an aligned approach across policy work, consultation responses and stakeholder engagement.

• Scan for tenders and consultations and flag to internal teams.

• Work across the business to support excellent customer service and respond to internal and external customer queries in a timely and effective manner.

2. Articulate and embed a clear internal policy strategy and position to connect with and deliver on organisational strategy

• Create a clear position and set of strategic priorities related to policy in line with the Schools goals and priorities, working closely with Schools leadership team.

• Ensure clear alignment with position and strategic priorities for Workforce Skills (Vocational) area and that Pearson's overall policy position is coherent and learner centered.

• Create approach and messaging for communicating priorities clearly and consistently and embedding in everything we do.

• Work with all teams internally, including Corporate Comms, Government Relations and Marketing, to ensure internal and external messaging and position are clear and consistent with our policy strategic priorities.

• Feed policy strategy and insights into Schools strategic planning processes.

3. Establish and lead stakeholder engagement strategy

• Identify key policy stakeholders and establish/maintain a robust stakeholder mapping and plan.

• Develop and implement structured approach for stakeholder engagement, including establishing and leading key Pearson groups and contributing to and representing Pearson within key external groups.

• Deliver high–level briefings and stakeholder meeting preparation for leadership teams..

• Work with key stakeholders and groups to maintain an ongoing view of the changing policy landscape and to establish effective collaborations and strategic relationships.

• Directly own relationships with priority stakeholders in terms of policy and influencing activity

• Work closely with Government Relations to engage with DfE and Ofqual on policy strategy to build our relationship and impact.

4.Lead on key activities to promote Pearson as a thought leader, and ensure these activities align with priorities and business objectives

• Draft policy papers for internal and external use.

• Represent Pearson on key groups.

• Lead on thought leadership activities that promote Pearson as a critical friend in the development of education policy.

• Present at key forums, events and conferences.

• Lead key consultation responses and provide input to ensure responses are timely and influential.

5. Leadership

• Embed and support a culture and practice of innovation and commercial success within the team and department.

• Embed a culture of collaboration within the Product team and with other key stakeholders and departments in UK schools and beyond, including Workforce Skills, Corporate Comms and Government Relations, Assessment, Regulation and Standards.

• Work in matrix structure – work effectively across teams, functions and the business.

• Lead cross–Schools initiatives – including lead point–person with stakeholders on key areas and initiatives.

• Embed and support a culture and practice of innovation and commercial success within the team and department.

• Embed a culture of collaboration within the Product team and with other key stakeholders across the business.

• Play a key role in the leadership team for Schools Product, including contributing to the continual improvement of how we do things, both as a department, and as a wider business.

EXPERIENCE