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 committed to operational excellence and cultural change.
- 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 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 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 people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around platform strategy and developer experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've driven cultural change and operational excellence in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
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 transformation. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for the internal developer platform!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a global team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've driven cultural change and operational excellence in previous roles.
Highlight Technical Expertise:We’re looking for someone with a strong technical background, especially in AI-enabled engineering practices. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or technologies you’ve worked with that demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to review your application and get you into the process smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Platform Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Elsevier's internal developer platform and its evolution. Understand the key components of the platform strategy and how it aligns with engineering transformation. This will help you articulate your vision and demonstrate your technical depth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading large-scale cultural and operational transformations. Have specific examples ready that highlight your ability to build and lead distributed engineering teams, as well as how you've driven an automation-first culture in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role requires partnering with various stakeholders, be ready to share instances where you've successfully influenced and collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you've aligned platform capabilities with business outcomes.
✨Demonstrate AI & Automation Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with AI-enabled engineering practices and how they integrate into the software development lifecycle. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented automation in past projects and the impact it had on developer productivity and operational excellence.
