At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy and delivery of core technology platforms, ensuring security and resilience.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking firm focused on innovative technology solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on automation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by driving platform innovation and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in enterprise platforms and strong technical background required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
The Head of Platforms is accountable for the strategy, delivery, security, resilience and continuous improvement of the firm’s core technology platforms. This role provides leadership across infrastructure, security operations, endpoints, data integration and automation, applications and the Document Management System (DMS), ensuring platforms are secure, scalable, reliable, and aligned to business and regulatory requirements. The role acts as the senior technical authority for platforms, setting standards and roadmaps, leading platform teams, and partnering closely with Information Security, Legal Technology, Data Management, Finance Systems, PMO and business stakeholders.
Scope of Responsibility
- End-to-end accountability for the following platform domains:
- Infrastructure Platforms
- Cloud (Azure) and on-premise infrastructure
- Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and platform automation standards
- Network, connectivity, identity and core platform services
- Resilience, backup, disaster recovery and service continuity
- Security Operations
- Platform security controls, monitoring and threat detection
- SIEM, SOAR, endpoint and network security tooling
- Operational security incident management in partnership with InfoSec
- End-user devices, operating systems and device lifecycle
- Microsoft 365, identity lifecycle management and collaboration tooling
- Endpoint security, compliance, configuration and automation
- Data Integration and Automation
- Automation, scripting and low/no-code orchestration to reduce manual effort
- Applications and Document Management Systems (DMS)
- Ownership of applications roadmap and the DMS platform (i.e iManage)
- Performance, availability, security and integration with other systems
- Close partnership with Legal Technology and business stakeholders
- Platform Strategy and Architecture
- Own the platform strategy and multi-year roadmap, aligned to business priorities, regulatory requirements and security standards
- Set architectural principles, technology standards and platform guardrails
- Lead lifecycle management, including modernisation, technical debt, and decommissioning of legacy platforms
- Operational Excellence and Service Management
- Accountable for platform availability, performance, resilience and supportability
- Ensure platforms are operated in line with ITIL practices (incident, problem, change, configuration and continuous improvement)
- Oversee third-line support, major incident response and root cause analysis
- Security and Risk Management
- Ensure security is embedded by design across all platforms
- Partner closely with Information Security on risk management, audit readiness and compliance (ISO, GDPR, CIS controls)
- Own operational security controls and the effectiveness of security tooling
- Automation and Continuous Improvement
- Drive automation and standardisation across platform services
- Reduce operational risk and cost through repeatability, IaC and self-service where appropriate
- Measure platform health using clear KPIs and service metrics
- Leadership and People Management
- Lead and develop Platform Managers and technical leads across Infrastructure, Endpoint, Security Operations and Application/DMS platforms
- Build a high-performing, collaborative engineering culture with strong accountability
- Set clear role clarity, performance expectations and development paths
- Stakeholder and Vendor Management
- Act as the senior escalation point for platform-related issues
- Partner with Legal Technology, Data, PMO and the business to support strategic initiatives
- Manage critical suppliers and service partners, including performance, risk and commercials.
- Governance and Decision Making
- Member of IT leadership and architecture governance forums
- Accountable for platform-related investment cases and technical risk decisions
- Provides clear reporting to senior stakeholders on platform risk, resilience and performance
- Senior leadership experience across enterprise platforms in a professional services environment
- Strong background in infrastructure, cloud platforms, endpoints and security operations
- Proven experience operating platforms at scale with high availability and regulatory requirements
- Strong understanding of ITIL-based service management and operational governance
- Experience with DMS platforms in a legal or similar document-centric environment
- Demonstrated success driving automation and platform modernisation
- Familiarity with SIEM, SOAR and modern security operations tooling
- Experience in legal services or regulated environments
- Deep knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure, identity and endpoint ecosystems
- Platform availability, performance and resilience metrics
- Reduction in incidents and operational risk through automation
- Clear, trusted platforms supporting legal and business services
- Positive stakeholder feedback and effective vendor performance
- Strong audit outcomes and reduced technology risk exposure
Key Responsibilities
Key Skills and Experience
Success Measures
Hybrid working - We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.
Head of Platforms in London employer: Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
As the Head of Platforms, you will join a forward-thinking firm that prioritises innovation and excellence in technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth, offering ample opportunities for leadership development and skill enhancement in a dynamic environment. With a commitment to security and resilience, we provide a supportive atmosphere where your contributions directly impact our core operations, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
Contact Detail:
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Platforms in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and meetups to connect with folks in the tech space. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a personal website or LinkedIn profile that highlights your skills and projects. Share insights about platform strategies or automation techniques to catch the eye of potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to platform management and security operations. Use the STAR method to structure your answers and showcase your leadership experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Platforms in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Platforms role. Highlight your experience in infrastructure, cloud platforms, and security operations. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your leadership in platform strategy and operational excellence. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, don't forget to mention your familiarity with ITIL practices and any experience with DMS platforms. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so show us what you’ve got!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
✨Know Your Platforms Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the core technology platforms mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of Azure, infrastructure-as-code, and document management systems like iManage. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams or projects. Highlight your experience in managing platform strategy and architecture, as well as how you've built high-performing teams. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can lead and inspire others.
✨Showcase Your Security Savvy
Given the emphasis on security in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with operational security controls and risk management. Familiarise yourself with relevant compliance standards like ISO and GDPR, and be prepared to share how you've embedded security into platform design in previous positions.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think about how you've partnered with various stakeholders in the past, especially in a professional services environment. Be ready to discuss how you've managed vendor relationships and communicated effectively with senior leadership. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex organisational structures.
