The Operations Lead, Strategic Accounts plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, governance, and strategic execution for Pearson’s largest and most complex enterprise client partnerships. This role is responsible for optimizing cross-functional collaboration, ensuring financial and contractual discipline, and operationalizing strategic initiatives that deliver value and support long-term growth with client partners. 

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in operational strategy, financial oversight, and program execution within enterprise partnerships. They will bring a consultative approach to navigating large-scale, global relationships while driving measurable business impact. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Operations & Governance: 

Establish and lead the operational framework for enterprise client partnerships, ensuring governance, execution efficiency, and strategic alignment across all business units.   Develop and implement scalable processes and controls that optimize account operations, mitigate risks, deliver value to clients, and drive incremental revenues.   Establish and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives and key results (OKRs) to track account performance, owning the data-driven insights that inform client partner strategy.  Implement and embed compliance and risk mitigation strategies across all operational activities. 

Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

Drive internal and external stakeholder alignment by acting as the operational bridge between Pearson’s senior leadership, client partners, and internal functional teams (Finance, Legal, Procurement, Marketing, Technology, and Sales).  Develop and execute the multi-year client engagement strategy, driving joint business planning. Provide structured governance for partner co-investments, including joint solution development, contractual commitments, and go-to-market initiatives.  Provide and validate all data and insights required to run QBRs, steering committees, and joint external engagements with clients   Work alongside client partners and executive leadership to design and facilitate high-impact meetings and workshops that refine joint partner offerings, identify key client opportunities, and move deals forward.  Identify and implement AI-driven technologies to enhance partnership management, operational efficiencies, and scale strategic initiatives. 

Financial & Budget Oversight: 

Oversee and optimize large-scale operational budgets, investment planning, and financial performance across client accounts.   Manage complex commercial frameworks, ensuring contractual obligations, revenue recognition, and financial forecasting align with Pearson’s strategic priorities for growth.   Partner with Finance to develop data-driven models for revenue growth, cost optimization, and return on investment (ROI) analysis.  Monitor and manage sales referral pipelines, providing financial insights and forecasting models to drive data-informed decision-making.  Implement AI-powered financial analytics to enhance forecasting accuracy and improve decision-making. 

 

Qualifications & Skills: 

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.  

Experience: 

5-10+ years of experience in operations, strategic account management, or enterprise partnerships, ideally within a global technology ecosystem or consulting firm.  Proven track record of managing multi-million-dollar budgets, large-scale sales pipelines, and enterprise-level partnerships.  Expertise in process improvement, risk mitigation, and technology-driven operations.  Extensive experience working in complex, matrixed global environments, driving cross-functional initiatives across multiple lines of business.  Demonstrated experience with AI-driven tools, automation, and analytics in an operational or strategic capacity. 

 

Skills: 

Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize data into actionable insights for C-suite reporting.  Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate high-level executive relationships and drive alignment across teams.  Experience designing and implementing scalable frameworks that improve efficiency and governance.  Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently and strategically connect internal and external stakeholders.  Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate risks and integrate mitigation strategies effectively.  Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to drive successful client outcomes.  Ability to leverage AI technologies to streamline workflows, enhance decision-making, and optimize operational strategies. 

 

Why join us? 

This is a high-impact role for an operational leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. If you are passionate about driving operational excellence, managing large-scale strategic clients, and influencing enterprise growth, we’d love to hear from you. 

What to expect from Pearson

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 full-time salary range for this position is $130,000 to $155,000.

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