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 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 90000 - 160000 £ 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. The 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ensure reliability, observability, and cost efficiency of platform services.
- Define resilience, incident management, and operational models.
- Track and report on platform maturity and performance.
- 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.
Compensation
Base pay range: $118,300 - $219,800 (U.S. National Base Pay Range). Additional geographic differentials may apply.
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.
Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations employer: Limelight Health
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 ensuring that our teams are empowered to drive meaningful change in the industry, making it an exciting place to advance your career.
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! Share examples of how you've led transformations and built teams. We want to see how you can shape a global platform organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. 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 mission at StudySmarter, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Platforms, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead large teams and drive cultural change. Use your application to share specific examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and led successful transformations in the past.
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 technologies or methodologies you’ve worked with that could benefit our internal developer platform.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Limelight Health
✨Know Your Platform Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the concept of a platform-as-a-product. Familiarise yourself with how it can drive engineering transformation and improve developer experience. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented similar strategies in your past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Platforms, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare to share experiences where you've led large-scale cultural and operational changes. Highlight how you’ve influenced stakeholders and built effective teams, especially in distributed environments.
✨Emphasise AI Integration
Given the focus on AI-enabled engineering practices, be prepared to discuss your familiarity with integrating AI into the software development lifecycle. Share any relevant projects or initiatives where you've successfully implemented AI solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key for this role. Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that resonates with both executive and technical audiences. Think about how you can convey your vision for the platform and its alignment with business outcomes clearly and confidently.
