State Funding Growth Leader — K-12 & CTE Sales

Pearson; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead a state strategy portfolio with a $20M+ quota and drive revenue through state appropriations and funding mechanisms.
• Meet with state education leadership, governors’ offices, and appropriations officials; negotiate contracts with Government Affairs.
• Conduct research on state trends, budgets, and legislative activity to identify funding opportunities and inform commercial priorities.
• Develop integrated state strategy frameworks linking priorities, funding mechanisms, regulatory requirements, and commercial opportunities.
• Lead state certification placements and ensure Pearson offerings are competitive in procurement and funding decisions.
• Collaborate with Product, Marketing, Revenue Ops, and Government Affairs to ensure go-to-market support.

Skills

State policy

Budget strategy

Commercial impact

Sales leadership

C-suite communication

Relationship building

State education systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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.