Lead, Government Relations

About the role

Pearson's Career Ready portfolio helps state systems, institutions, and employers access workforce-aligned learning and certification programs. This role positions you as both the strategic architect and lead revenue driver of the Career Ready commercial strategy.

Responsibilities

• Understand how states invest in career readiness and translate that into coordinated commercial strategy
• Directly execute state-level sales and appropriations strategy with a $20M+ target
• Own a state funding portfolio across the country and lead a team of government affairs and implementation managers who execute on state strategy
• Meet directly with state leadership, build and renew critical relationships, manage government affairs resources and lobbyists, and drive adoption and revenue growth across your portfolio

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in state government affairs, education policy, budget strategy, or related commercial roles combining policy expertise and proven commercial impact
• Direct experience securing K-12 state funding (appropriations, grants, federal passthrough)
• Proven track record of owning and closing significant state-level deals and partnerships with direct accountability for revenue
• Build and renew long-term relationships with state education officials, governors' staff, appropriations leaders, and key state decision-makers
• Deep understanding of state education systems, K-12 workforce development, state budget processes, appropriations mechanisms, and funding pathways
• Demonstrated success managing and developing sales or government affairs teams
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking; excellent written and verbal communication skills with C-suite executives and state officials

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Business, Education, Economics, or related field
• Extensive K-12 education, CTE, or workforce development sector background
• Experience in professional services, consulting, or EdTech with proven state-focused go-to-market success
• Track record of multi-state appropriations strategy and competitive pursuit of state funding
• Experience managing government affairs resources, lobbyists, and outside consultants
• Sales leadership background in education with quota-carrying experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, Education, or related field