Director, Corporate Affairs, Assessment and Qualifications UK - 12 Months Maternity Leave Cover

Job Description

We are looking for a maternity cover to support our UK assessments and qualifications business for at least 12 months. You will be responsible for external communications for our UK schools and qualifications business, working closely with the other membersof the UK corporate affairs team.You will be the key point person for Pearson Edexcel to support the senior leadership teams in all areas of external communication. Pearson delivers a UK curriculum and A-Level and GCSE exams both to learners in the UK and across the world. Following theUK governments cancellation of exams over the last two years, working with our Edexcel team to support the 2022 summer exam series will be a core element of the role. Its an exciting time to be joining the team.With strategic direction of the VP, UK/ROW, you will partner with colleagues across the business to shape long-term, impactful communications strategies that will support Pearsons business priorities, driving growth and protecting reputations.You will also be responsible for the strategic development of proactive media outreach and campaigns to support key business initiatives and underpin the importance of assessment as part of our education system. You will also work as part of a busy 24/7press office team, responding to queries from media and working with colleagues at the JCQ on industry-wide media campaigns.You will be responsible for horizon scanning to identify opportunities and plan ahead to minimise issues; with the ability to see the bigger picture and bring in GR and other expertise as required. You will have strategic responsibility for communicationsstrategy around the UK summer series, working closely with the senior manager, UK media, and you will be responsible for relationships with communications leads at key external stakeholders such as Ofqual, DfE, JCQ and others.Essential Skills /Experience

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills - with the ability to bring together colleagues from different parts of the business to focus on a key theme or campaigna true team player
• Communication - Proven communications experience, encompassing media, stakeholder relations and public affairs experience. Excellent media contacts and understanding of the wider stakeholder context, plus good stakeholder contacts. You willbe expected to support the reactive UK press office activity as well as proactive media campaigns.
• Confidence - with the ability to counsel senior leaders
• Organisational agility - Proven experience in working across cross-functional teams to drive progress and deliverables in a high accountability environment.
• Issues management - Proven experience of handling high pressure issues management and managing a fast-changing portfolio of responsibilities; ability to assimilate information fast and work to tight deadlines
• Copywriting - Expertise in reviewing content plans, press releases, creating messaging and other relevant content
• Business Acumen ** Experience, insight and knowledge mean youcanunderstand thelong-termmarket potential and translate this into the corporate strategy.
• Perspective - Broad-based understanding of the interconnections between government relations and media and how to deploy both in support of business priorities
• Education sector - A deep understanding of the UK education sector, in particular trends and key issues in schools, further education, employability and assessment.
• Social media - Expertise in social media to drive in-market strategy to support global social media colleagues. You will be expected to support Pearsons UK digital channels.
• Analytical Skill and Learning Agility** You take a systematic, structured view ofsituations, whilestaying focused on the big picture. You have the capacity to be open to new ideas and comfortable exploring areaswhere there are no right answers.
• Thought leadership - Experience in using thought leadership, data, wider advocacy and other tactics to influence key stakeholders
• Global Perspective** You have experience operating as part of a global team andworking with colleagues in other countries.
• Proven experience, ideally with both in-house and agency experience
• Collaborative style, with proven ability to build excellent stakeholder relationships as you partner with colleagues across the business; excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent written skills with ability to write persuasively and quickly for a range of audiences/channels, with ability to think and write quickly in response to deadline pressure
• Passion for communication with outstanding verbal and written skills; proven commitment to high standards with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail
• Self-starter with ability to drive campaigns from scratch and demonstrate innovative thinking
• Excellent project management experience

Personal Style and Behaviour

• External awareness and customer/learner orientation
• Collaboration, teamwork and stakeholder management
• Internal awareness and business understanding
• Results driven and organisation buy-in
• Brand/storytelling through boundaryless creative

Additional InformationThis role is a 12-month maternity leave cover.This role will be hybrid working from home and at our office at 80 Strand, London.Please apply directly on our website including your CV and a covering letter outlining your reasons for applying for the role.Job: COMMUNICATIONOrganization: Corporate Marketing & CommunicationsSchedule: FULL_TIMEReq ID: 2746