Director Investor Relations

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Job Description

About Pearson

Pearson is the World's Lifelong Learning Company, helping people realise the life they imagine through learning. We operate in an international market with the relevant US element of that being $80bn in size, growing at 5%+. Those markets benefit from two seismic trends - the demographic shift as the "baby boomer" generation leave the workforce, increasing the pressure to source skills, and the development of ever more powerful AI models. Pearson plans to grow at or ahead of these markets through driving performance in the Core business, executing against internal synergies and through allocating capital to 2 medium term growth vectors - early careers and enterprise skilling.

Pearson is a FTSE 100 company with market cap of ~£7bn, revenues of ~£4bn, profit of ~£0.6bn and 90-100% cash conversion. We have a strong Balance sheet with good liquidity.

About Pearson Finance

Pearson Finance is one finance team, improving Pearson's performance, through finance excellence as stewards of value. We combine world-class finance skills with a commercial focus and a continuous improvement mindset. Our strategic priorities center around data and storytelling, being trusted advisors to shape and challenge business outcomes, driving efficiency through continuous improvement, automation, and standardisation, and finally to mitigate risk as we partner with the rest of the business to drive execution of Pearson's overall strategy.

About The Role

We are recruiting for a dynamic and progressive Investor Relations Director. Reporting to the Head of Investor Relations, you will play a key role in evolving and scaling Pearson's Business through Investor relations in a a global context.

The primary responsibility of the Director Investor Relations is in executing the investor relations engagement programs; focusing on increasing shareholder value through meaningful communication of Pearson strategy, financial results, ad hoc announcements, and sustainability initiatives to the external financial community including current and prospective shareholders and research analysts.

The role is Hybrid to our central London offices with international travel required.

Key Responsibilities are:

Strategic:

• Be agile and adaptable, performing a variety of duties based on the evolving needs of the Head of IR and stakeholders.
• Model KPIs and financials to align with analyst expectations and perspectives.
• Proactively engage in real-time communication with analysts and business stakeholders.
• Lead regular investor meetings to diversify and strengthen the shareholder base
• Build and maintain strong relationships with sell-side analysts, communicating company guidance and strategic messages.
• Analyse sell-side research, track estimates, and manage company consensus on financial performance.
• Monitor monthly changes in the shareholder register and assess their impact.

Financial Event Management:

• Support the planning and execution of key financial events, including results announcements, trading statements, major transactions, investor presentations, and roadshows.
• Assist in targeting financial institutions for roadshows.
• Collaborate with the Head of Corporate Communications on the planning and development of investor days.
• Write high-quality Board reports and external communications with minimal need for revisions.

Corporate Governance & Communications:

• Partner with the company secretary on AGM and governance-related interactions.
• Provide data gathering, verification, and communication of key stories in press releases and presentations.
• Assist in the development of the Annual Report in alignment with company messaging.

Internal Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop strong relationships with senior leaders to understand Pearson's business performance, positioning, and strategic priorities
• Work closely with the finance department to interpret financial performance and projections.
• Coordinate with internal communications teams on results announcements and day-to-day news flow.
• Track competitor news and industry data, providing insights to senior leadership in collaboration with the Insight team.
• Offer an external investor perspective to internal teams to guide business strategy and communication.

About You:

• Significant relevant experience in Investor Relations with a proven track record in a large well-regarded FTSE 250 Plc or above OR deep sell side research experience.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, able to simplify complex information.
• Strong understanding of financial markets, share price drivers, and external market context.
• Proven experience managing stakeholders and building relationships at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail and ability to prioritise competing agendas.
• Strong commercial, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Team player with the ability to work independently across multiple projects.
• Knowledge of various business models and experience working across different sectors.
• Understanding of finance areas like tax, treasury, M&A, and corporate governance, with sound judgment on when to involve specialists.

Your Rewards & Benefits

We know you'll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn't fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too. We offer:

• A competitive salary and bonus
• Hybrid working model.
• 25 days annual leave, which increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days (with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this)
• A fantastic pension plan, where Pearson doubles what you contribute
• Other benefits, including private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance, discounted retail and leisure products, services from leading companies and much more. See our options here: Pearson Jobs - Benefits