Lead Specialist, Government Relations

Job Title - Lead Specialist, Government Relations Also known in the market as: Government Affairs Manager | State Government Relations Manager | Public Policy Manager | Senior Government Relations Manager | State Affairs Manager | Advocacy Manager | Education Policy Manager Description Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Government Relations to support and advance state-level government relations, public affairs and policy engagement activities across a defined portfolio of U.S. states. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in government relations, public affairs, advocacy, policy, education, workforce development or legislative affairs who enjoys working at the intersection of policy, politics and business strategy. You'll help Pearson build relationships with policymakers, monitor legislative and regulatory activity, develop policy materials and support advocacy initiatives that influence the future of education, workforce development and assessment programmes across the United States. Working closely with Government Relations leadership, internal business stakeholders and external partners, you'll help ensure Pearson remains informed, engaged and well positioned as policy landscapes continue to evolve. What You'll Be Doing State Government Relations & Advocacy Support government relations strategy and execution across an assigned portfolio of U.S. states. Help coordinate advocacy initiatives, stakeholder outreach and engagement activities. Support implementation of state-level engagement plans and government relations priorities. Monitor emerging political, legislative and regulatory developments and elevate key risks and opportunities. Prepare briefing materials and recommendations for Government Relations leadership. Support the Senior Lead, U.S. Government Relations in providing advocacy support to Pearson 's Assessments & Qualifications business. Policy Monitoring, Research & Analysis Track legislation, regulations and education policy developments affecting Pearson 's business and customers. Analyse policy developments and communicate business impacts to internal stakeholders. Maintain legislative trackers, policy monitoring tools and reporting processes. Prepare concise policy summaries, issue briefs and executive-level updates. Research emerging policy trends and identify potential strategic implications. Stakeholder Relationship Management Support engagement with policymakers, state education agencies, legislative staff, trade associations and coalition partners. Coordinate meetings, briefings, outreach efforts and follow-up activities. Help communicate Pearson 's policy positions and priorities to external stakeholders. Represent Pearson in meetings, working groups, policy discussions and industry forums where appropriate. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Product, Legal, Compliance, Communications, Sales and business teams to ensure policy activity aligns with organisational priorities. Gather input from internal subject matter experts to support policy positions and advocacy materials. Coordinate activity with external consultants, advisors and lobbying partners. Support development of aligned policy messaging and stakeholder communications. Operational Excellence Maintain organised policy trackers, engagement records and reporting tools. Create and improve templates, workflows and internal documentation. Support continuous improvement initiatives that increase team efficiency and visibility. Ensure policy materials and communications are accurate, timely and aligned with Pearson objectives. What We're Looking For Required Experience in Government Relations, Public Affairs, Policy, Advocacy, Legislative Affairs or related fields. Good understanding of state legislative, regulatory and public policy processes. Strong research, analytical and policy-monitoring skills. Excellent writing, editing and communication capabilities. Ability to translate complex policy developments into clear business implications. Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills. Experience balancing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality work in fast-paced environments. Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail. Preferred Experience within Education, Workforce Development, Assessment or Public Sector environments. Experience supporting state-level government relations programmes. Experience working with policymakers, government agencies, associations or coalitions. Exposure to public policy issues affecting education, workforce development, assessment or credentialing. Experience managing relationships with external consultants or lobbying firms. Key Skills Government Relations | Public Affairs | Public Policy | State Government Affairs | Advocacy | Legislative Affairs | Stakeholder Engagement | Education Policy | Workforce Policy | Policy Analysis | Political Monitoring | Regulatory Affairs | Strategic Communications | Coalition Building | Relationship Management | Public Sector Engagement | Research & Analysis | Writing & Briefing Materials | Cross-Functional Partnership Why Join Pearson ? Join one of the world's leading education and learning companies. Help shape education and workforce policy across the United States. Work alongside experienced government relations and policy professionals. Influence initiatives that impact millions of learners. Collaborate with senior leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders. Enjoy strong career development opportunities within a global organisation. Flexible and collaborative working environment focused on growth and continuous learning. Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York State, New York City, Vermont, Washington State, and Washington DC laws, the pay range for this position is as follows: The minimum full-time salary range is between $50,000 - $140,000. This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here. Applications will be accepted through August 12th 2026. This window may be extended depending on business needs. Originally posted on Himalayas