At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of our internal developer platform and drive engineering transformation.
- Company: Join a global leader in technology with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving cultural change and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering with AI and automation while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in platform or software engineering with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 150000 £ per year.
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.
Pay Range
U.S. National Base Pay Range: $118,300 - $219,800. Geographic differentials may apply in some locations to better reflect local market rates.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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. Appropriate accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.
Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations employer: hackajob
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 that shape the future of our internal developer platform. Our hybrid work model promotes flexibility, while our focus on AI integration and operational excellence ensures that you will be at the forefront of technological advancements in a supportive and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations
✨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 transformations 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
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 cultural transformation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Platforms, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead large teams and drive change. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and influenced stakeholders in your previous roles.
Highlight Technical Expertise:Don’t forget to emphasise your technical background, especially in areas like AI integration and developer experience. We’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between tech and strategy, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Platform Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Elsevier's platform strategy and vision. Understand how they aim to shift from fragmented infrastructure to a unified internal developer platform. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals of modernisation, reuse, and AI-enabled engineering.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in driving large-scale cultural and operational transformations. Think about times when you built or led teams, particularly in distributed environments, and how you fostered an engineering-led, automation-first culture.
✨Demonstrate Technical Depth
Brush up on your technical knowledge related to platform-as-a-product and developer experience. Be prepared to discuss specific technologies or methodologies you've used, especially around AI integration and operational excellence, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex topics. Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, being able to communicate effectively across both executive and technical audiences will be crucial.
