Principal, Sales

Purpose Summary

The Principal of Sales within Partnerships & Policy team will lead the development of new Connections Academy partnerships and shape a positive policy environment in your assigned region. The position builds relationships with key education decision makers, drives business growth, and influences public policy to expand Pearson Virtual Schools. Thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving landscape by applying deep expertise, creativity, and strategic vision.

• Demonstrates expertise in business development and state policy.
• Delivers new full‑time virtual school opportunities aligned to organizational strategy in a territory including new partnership models such as college‑career and alternative education.
• Develops, sets, and leads strategies and tactics to educate, inform, interpret, and influence public policies that support the development of new and existing virtual schools and programs and leads relationships with high‑profile new customers.
• Collaborates with sales and Customer Success team to identify paths to achieve new partner school goals leveraging existing relationships in target states.
• Demonstrates and applies knowledge of key national and state issues, rules, and regulations and implements state‑specific strategic initiatives to meet new business objectives and effectively communicates these to appropriate internal and external stakeholders.
• Cultivates ongoing relationships with regulators, public policy influencers, and advocacy organizations.
• Collaborates with Pearson’s United States Government Affairs team to support broader company public policy interests as applicable and advocates to monitor and influence legislation, regulations, and policies affecting all lines of business with Pearson Virtual Schools in the United States.
• Researches, reports and communicates policies, enacted legislation and regulation to internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicates complex ideas and utilizes persuasive communication techniques with state and district school leaders, school board members, university and corporate decision makers, and leadership team members to successfully identify and close long‑term strategic partnerships.
• Successfully addresses key concerns and presents mutually beneficial solutions.
• Provides deep subject‑matter expertise, understands business needs, explores solution options, contributes to product and service improvements, and demonstrates how these solutions meet customer needs.
• Oversees the proposal process as it relates to identifying the right opportunity, coordinating with internal stakeholders, designing solutions, and meeting all deadlines.
• Identifies and empowers a diverse group of founding board members to understand the reasons for a new Connections Academy and establishes a local advocacy network to advocate on behalf of the new school.
• Executes and is accountable for the medium‑term strategy for achieving new school targets with opportunities that align to product roadmaps, financial goals, and regulatory compliance in the assigned territory.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 10+ years in education reform, school development, educational policy, government affairs, strategic partnerships, or online learning.
• Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s preferred (Juris Doctor, Masters of Political Science, Economics, Public Policy, MBA, or School Administration a plus).
• Demonstrated success in complex sales, cross‑functional collaboration, and policy change.
• Strong persuasion, prioritization, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to travel at least 50% of the time; valid driver’s license required.

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

The full‑time salary range for this role is $120,000 – 150,000.

This position is eligible for Pearson’s annual incentive program.

Information on benefits can be found.

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.

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