At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of a cutting-edge internal developer platform and drive engineering transformation.
- Company: Join Elsevier, a global leader in technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving cultural change and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering with AI and automation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in platform or software engineering with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 118300 - 219800 £ per year.
Location: Global (Hybrid)
Reports to: SVP, Technology Infrastructure & Operations (TIO)
Function: Technology
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Platform leads the delivery and evolution of Elsevier’s internal developer platform as a core driver of engineering transformation. This role is accountable for shifting Elsevier from fragmented infrastructure services to a unified internal developer platform (IDP) that accelerates modernization, reuse, and AI-enabled engineering. This leader combines strong technical depth with enterprise influence, driving large-scale cultural and operational change across engineering. They will shape the platform as a product while embedding new ways of working focused on self-service, automation, and developer experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Platform Strategy & Vision: Define and drive the platform strategy aligned with Elsevier standards and enterprise priorities. Translate strategic objectives (DevEx, reuse, AI-enabled SDLC) into clear platform roadmaps. Establish and evolve a platform-as-a-product operating model.
- Leadership & Organization Design: Build and lead a global platform organization (95–125 engineers) across key domains. Partner with TIO leadership, architecture, and change teams to align operating models. Drive an engineering-led, automation-first culture across the organization.
- Developer Experience & Enablement: Deliver internal developer portal capabilities (e.g., Backstage) and golden paths. Embed DORA and SPACE metrics to improve developer productivity. Champion reuse and inner sourcing across engineering teams.
- AI & Automation Integration: Integrate AI across the SDLC including code generation, testing, and automation. Drive adoption of AI-enabled engineering practices. Ensure secure and efficient-by-default platform services through automation.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure reliability, observability, and cost efficiency of platform services. Define resilience, incident management, and operational models. Track and report on platform maturity and performance.
- Collaboration & Influence: Partner with Business Unit CTOs, product leaders, and engineering teams. Drive alignment between platform capabilities and business outcomes. Communicate effectively across executive and technical audiences.
Experience & Skills
- 15+ years in platform, software, or infrastructure engineering.
- Proven experience leading large-scale cultural and operational transformations.
- Strong background in platform-as-a-product and developer experience.
- Demonstrated stakeholder influence across complex organizations.
- Experience leading distributed engineering teams.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled engineering practices.
- Strong grounding in SRE, observability, and secure-by-design.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
Success Measures
- Increased developer productivity and satisfaction.
- Adoption of platform capabilities across engineering teams.
- Reduction in toil and time-to-market.
- Increased reuse through standardized patterns and golden paths.
- Improved operational reliability and cost efficiency.
- Demonstrated shift in engineering culture toward ownership and automation.
Base pay range: $130,200 - $241,800 (NY), $142,000 - $263,800 (NYC), $118,300 - $219,800 (Rochester, NY). U.S. National Base Pay Range: $118,300 - $219,800. Geographic differentials may apply in some locations to better reflect local market rates.
We are an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations in London employer: 慨正橡扯
Elsevier is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly in the dynamic field of technology and engineering. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive opportunities for professional development and the chance to lead transformative projects on a global scale. Our hybrid work model promotes flexibility, while our focus on AI integration and operational excellence ensures that you will be at the forefront of industry advancements, making a meaningful impact in your role as Head of Platforms.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how you can drive their platform strategy and enhance developer experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams through change and improved operational excellence in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you're serious about joining us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in platform engineering and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for the internal developer platform!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven cultural and operational change in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your technical skills. Share your passion for technology and innovation!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it reaches the right people quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯
✨Understand the Platform Vision
Before your interview, dive deep into Elsevier's platform strategy and vision. Familiarise yourself with their goals around developer experience, AI integration, and operational excellence. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their objectives.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your past leadership roles, especially in driving cultural and operational transformations. Prepare specific examples of how you've built and led engineering teams, and how you've fostered an automation-first culture.
✨Demonstrate Technical Depth
Brush up on your technical knowledge related to platform engineering, AI-enabled practices, and observability. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles and how they can be applied to enhance Elsevier's internal developer platform.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that resonates with both technical and executive audiences. Clear communication is key, so think about how you can convey your ideas succinctly while demonstrating your influence across different stakeholders.
