Strategic Advisor, K–12 Assessments

Summary of Position: 

The Strategic Advisor, K–12 Assessments, serves as a high-impact consultant and business strategist, accelerating growth within priority accounts by delivering market-backed insights, competitive intelligence, program management and strategic direction. This leader reports directly to the Portfolio Vice President (PVP) and collaborates closely to shape and execute go-to-market strategies, with a focus on non-incumbent accounts and high-potential opportunities. The advisor will be a key voice at the executive leadership table by offering insights on market complexities and transforming data into clear, actionable recommendations that strengthen the pipeline and accelerate long-term growth. 

As organizational priorities evolve, the Strategic Advisor will step into a program delivery leadership role for select accounts responsible for developing the account delivery strategy with a keen sense for exceeding customer expectations and delivery excellence. Additionally, this leader will provide support for general business development strategies. In collaboration with the PVP, the Strategic Advisor will ensure engagement exceeds expectations, deepens relationships, and positions the organization for renewal and expansion. 

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker and relationship builder who thrives on collaboration, continuous improvement, and delivering impact. The Strategic Advisor will also support cross-portfolio initiatives that position School Assessments to compete within the market. This position is SIP eligible and will receive a variable compensation schedule that incentivizes performance. 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

Strategic Advising  

Partner with Portfolio Vice President to identify and leverage competitive differentiators shaping pursuit strategies that drive strategic growth, investment, and market expansion  

Advise executive leadership on high-priority bid strategies, providing expert insight into the assessment landscape to strengthen Pearson’s positioning in competitive solicitations. 

Guide Solutions team in sustaining a robust competitive intelligence framework, continuously refining processes, documentation, and strategic approach to optimize proposal quality and effectiveness. 

Lead the development of the School Assessment marketing approach, ensuring alignment with Pearson’s broader marketing vision and amplifying the North America voice across key channels and initiatives. 

Program Delivery Leadership 

Establish and maintain productive relationships with internal teams and external customers.  

Lead growth strategy of program account including increased scope, renewals and expansion into new products and services.  

Drive teams to be responsive and timely in understanding, documenting, and delivering on customer needs. 

Lead overall account management of assigned accounts, including scope, schedule requirements, risks, system configurations, account financials, quality, and outstanding customer satisfaction. 

Prepare and present internal and external reports on program status, risks and other program related issues. 

Direct changes to processes and tools that support an environment of accountability and efficiencies. 

Identify and provide insights to functional leaders across Content, Psychometrics, Scoring, Publishing, Operations, and Technology to support planning of deliverables according to program scope. 

Identify opportunities to continuously improve and automate the way in which requirements are captured and utilized, including system validation. 

Serve as the main escalation point for delivery issues, staffing concerns, and financial impacts on assigned contracts 

People Management 

Regularly engage dedicated portfolio team and functional managers to identify ways to support their success.  

Act as a strong team player, embracing ownership, accountability, and responsibility for the team’s work. 

Serve as a model for collaborative problem solving across groups. 

Assign individual responsibilities of core team. Provide leadership, including the ability to manage, train, develop and motivate team members. 

Financial Management 

Support gathering functional manager inputs for program financials to meet revenue/margin goals, explaining trends and differences from original plan. 

Support cost collection and developing pricing estimates for scope changes using accepted Pearson practices. 

Self Development  

Ensure focus on self-development, including new learning opportunities, exploring career paths, understanding School Assessment products and platforms, improvement in dimensions of the Profile of School As