Director Corporate Development, M&A

Group Strategy and Corporate Development

Group Strategy and Corporate Development is a small, high-profile team reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer based across Pearson’s London and Hoboken, NJ offices. This team works hand in hand to drive all group strategy, venture & minority investment, strategic partnership and M&A activity across the Pearson group. Within the department, our team – Corporate Development - is responsible for i) setting the M&A strategy and managing all acquisitions, disposals and corporate joint ventures (end-to-end) and ii) supporting on corporate finance matters (e.g. shareholder returns, defence & activism). We have a significant amount of exposure to the Pearson CEO, CFO and other Board directors, and we work very closely with the Pearson Executive team and senior management in all our business units, together with a small central Deal Operations team who drive integration and separation activities resulting from our transactions.

Main activities / responsibilities of role

This is an opportunity for you to work in a fast-paced environment and gain experience across a variety of transaction types and corporate finance projects. You are a self-starter and able to drive your tasks autonomously, however also a willing team player - working closely with our businesses to achieve shared goals. You will bring your existing transaction experience to the role – to solve deal problems and be accountable to drive projects to their conclusion.

• Working with the business units in evaluating potential acquisitions, disposals and corporate joint ventures – this includes reviewing the business case against Pearson’s strategy, building and reviewing valuation models and preparing the documentation to take the business case for approval at CFO/CEO level and eventually Board level (if required);
• Taking a senior role on all elements of transaction execution, which include:
• Appoint and manage advisors as necessary such as lawyers, investment bankers and financial due diligence providers;
• Manage the internal Pearson team during the due diligence or carve-out process and challenge findings,
• Manage the development of the business case and internal approval process (including writing approval papers for the Pearson Board and senior management);
• Reviewing and negotiating contracts and legal agreements; and
• Representing Pearson in meetings with counterparties.
• Provide senior assistance on specific strategic analysis for the Board, CEO, CSO and CFO, for example, defence & activism planning, balance sheet strategy, including dividend and share buy-backs;
• Work closely with the wider Group Strategy and Corporate Development team ensuring Corporate Development input into our various strategic themes and projects.
• Holding a senior position within a small team and helping drive the direction of the team together with the VP. Being a line manager for junior team members, including leading on appraisal process and development.

Qualifications and experience required for the role:

• Candidates must have previous substantial (minimum 6 years) relevant experience gained working within the M&A / strategy function of a multinational corporate organization (preferred), an investment bank or M&A advisory firm, or the corporate finance or strategy division of a large accounting or consulting firm.
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field, ideally in business, finance or accounting. Relevant advanced qualification (e.g. MBA, CFA) a plus;
• Experience in leading transactions from start to finish is essential;
• Able decision maker with strong commercial, analytical and business problem-solving skills;
• Ability to analyze and shape both the wider strategy and focus on the detail whilst applying the right judgment;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (including strong writing skills);
• Able to establish credibility with senior management and advise and influence them;
• Ability to distill complicated information and detail into simple conclusions;
• Good understanding & experience with contracts law;
• Deal structuring and negotiating experience;
• Experience in developing and managing team members (preferred, although not essential);
• Strong Project Management skills;
• Ability to handle a high volume of work in a short period of time as well as multiple priorities simultaneously is important;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and
• Prior experience in the education industry is helpful, but not required.

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com.

Pearson believes that wherever learning flourishes, so do people. We are committed to being an anti-racist company in everything we do. We value the power of an inclusive culture and a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm, and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to a sustainable environment and workplace where talent can learn, grow, and thrive.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, please click here: http://www.pearson.com/careers/diversity-and-inclusion.html

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other group protected by law.

Job: FINANCE

Organization: Corporate Strategy & Technology

Schedule: FULL\_TIME

Req ID: 6586