Job Title - Advanced Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis

Description

Support strategic decision-making within Pearson's Higher Education business through financial reporting, planning, forecasting and performance analysis. This role aligns with market titles such as FP&A Analyst, Financial Analyst, Financial Reporting Analyst, Finance Business Partner, Commercial Finance Analyst or Management Accountant.

About the Role

As an Advanced Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis within Pearson Finance Services (PFS), you will provide high-quality financial insight and forward-looking analysis to support Pearson's Higher Education Division.

You'll play a key role in planning, forecasting and performance management activities, producing accurate and decision-ready financial information that helps business leaders understand performance, manage risk and make informed decisions.

Working closely with Finance and business stakeholders, you'll support core reporting cycles, drive process improvement, enhance reporting capability and help modernise finance processes through automation, standardisation and AI-enabled analytics.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys combining analytical expertise, business partnering and continuous improvement within a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

What You'll Do

Financial Reporting, Planning & Analysis

• Deliver month-end reporting, rolling forecasts, annual budgeting and ad-hoc financial analysis
• Produce accurate, decision-ready financial reporting and performance commentary
• Build and maintain driver-based financial models to explain business performance and quantify risks and opportunities
• Perform detailed variance analysis and identify key performance drivers

Business Partnering

• Partner with stakeholders to align assumptions, answer business questions and support decision-making
• Translate financial and operational data into clear, actionable insights
• Develop a consistent and meaningful performance narrative across the Higher Education Division
• Build strong relationships with finance and non-finance stakeholders across multiple teams

Process Improvement & Automation

• Standardise and improve planning and reporting processes
• Leverage automation and AI-enabled tools to enhance reporting quality, speed and efficiency
• Reduce manual effort through improved processes and controls
• Support the implementation of best practice reporting and analytics solutions

Reporting & Data Management

• Develop and enhance dashboards and self-service reporting capabilities
• Define KPIs, data definitions and reporting standards
• Ensure strong governance, controls and audit trails across reporting activities
• Maintain data quality, reconciliation and reporting integrity

Team Support

• Support capability building across the team through coaching and quality review activities
• Share best practices in modelling, reporting and financial storytelling
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration

What We're Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience

• Relevant accountancy qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Strong experience in Financial Reporting, FP&A, Management Accounting or Commercial Finance
• Experience supporting planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance management processes
• Strong financial analysis and variance reporting capability
• Experience producing executive-level reporting and financial storytelling
• Ability to partner effectively with senior stakeholders and challenge assumptions constructively
• Advanced Excel skills including financial modelling, PivotTables and Power Query
• Experience working with ERP and planning/reporting systems (Oracle preferred)
• Strong understanding of finance data flows, reconciliations and reporting controls
• Track record of process improvement, automation and standardisation
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex financial concepts

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI-enabled reporting or finance automation tools
• Dashboard development and self-service reporting experience
• Exposure to Power BI, Tableau or similar reporting platforms
• Experience supporting Higher Education, Educational Services or other large-scale commercial environments
• Knowledge of KPI development and reporting governance frameworks

Location & Working Pattern

Hybrid – Belfast

This role follows a hybrid working model, with an expectation of two days per week in the Belfast office and the remaining time working remotely.

You'll work closely with stakeholders across Finance, the Higher Education Division and wider business functions while benefiting from the flexibility of hybrid working.

Why Join Pearson?

At Pearson, we're transforming how learning is delivered around the world. As part of Pearson Finance Services, you'll help shape decisions through accurate reporting, insightful analysis and forward-looking financial planning.

You'll join a collaborative team that embraces innovation, automation and AI-enabled ways of working while offering excellent opportunities for professional growth and career progression within a global organisation.

This role provides exposure to senior stakeholders, meaningful business challenges and the opportunity to influence performance within one of Pearson's largest and most important business divisions.