Lead, Sales (State Funding)

Pearson • Lansing, MI • 3h ago

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 - understanding how states invest in career readiness, translating that into coordinated commercial strategy, and directly executing state-level sales and appropriations strategy with a $20M+ target.

You will lead a state funding portfolio across the country and lead a team of state strategy and implementation managers who execute on state K-12 sales strategy, in close partnership with Pearson's Government Affairs team. You will meet directly with state leadership, build and maintain strong relationships, collaborate closely with Pearson's Government Affairs team, and drive adoption and revenue growth across your portfolio.

What You Will Do

This is a sales and execution role grounded in strategic expertise . You help shape market, policy, and state-level strategy while leading a team and directly driving revenue through state appropriations and funding mechanisms. You carry quota responsibility for $20M+ in state funding and cultivate key state relationships.

State Revenue Leadership & Strategy Execution

Own a portfolio of strategic states and carry quota responsibility for securing $20M+ in state appropriations, grants, and other state funding mechanisms.

Meet directly with state education leadership, governors' offices, and appropriations officials; develop and maintain key relationships; and lead contract negotiations in partnership with Pearson's Government Affairs team.

Conduct research and analysis of state trends, budget priorities, and legislative activity to identify funding opportunities and inform commercial priorities.

Develop integrated state strategy frameworks that connect state priorities, funding mechanisms, regulatory requirements, and commercial opportunity into coordinated go-to-market plays.

Lead state certification placements and ensure Pearson offerings are positioned competitively in state procurement and funding decisions.

State Strategy, Policy Alignment, and Team Leadership

Partner closely with Pearson's Government Affairs team to executive the state-level CTE curriculum and certification strategy, supporting state-level awareness, policy alignment, and budgetary support for our priorities.

Support advocacy initiatives and public policy campaigns, working alongside Pearson's Government Affairs team, that shape state environments favorably for product adoptions and funding flow.

Manage and develop a team of state sales strategy and implementation managers responsible for driving adoption and onboarding of state-funded curriculum and certifications; set performance expectations, provide coaching, and build a high performing team.

Work cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Revenue Operations, and Government Affairs to ensure go-to-market support and operations alignment

What You Need to Be Successful

10+ years of progressive experience in state policy, 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) - ideally for CTE, workforce development, or career pathway initiatives. K-12 state funding expertise is essential.

Proven track record of owning and closing significant state-level deals and partnerships with direct accountability for revenue.

Success building and maintaining long-term relationships with state education officials, governors' staff, appropriations leaders, and key state decision-makers, in coordination with Pearson's Government Affairs team.

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 state strategy teams.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking; excellent written and verbal communication skills with C-suite executives and state officials.

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Business, Education, Economics, or related field.

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by factors including skill set, experience, and location.

The full-time salary range for this role is $170,000 - $190,000.

This position is eligible for Pearson's annual incentive program. Information on benefits can be found here.

Applications will be accepted through 9/18/26 . This window may be extended depending on business needs.

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Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. 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. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.

Job: Sales

Job Family: GO\TO\MARKET

Organization: Higher Education

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type:

Req ID: 25758

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