At a Glance
- Tasks: Design future-ready systems and influence engineering strategy across teams.
- Company: Join a global leader in information and analytics, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, and a comprehensive pension plan.
- Other info: Promote work/life balance with wellbeing initiatives and supportive company culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in healthcare and science with your expertise.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in architecture, strong leadership, and innovative mindset required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about designing future‑ready systems that balance performance, reliability, and simplicity? Do you thrive on setting technical direction and influencing engineering strategy across teams?
About the team: A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world's grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.
About the role: This position contributes to the definition of Enterprise Architecture within Elsevier, specifically related to the Shared Technologies that underpin our product portfolio. You will be responsible for driving forward the architecture strategy for Identity and Access, Enterprise API Management and the secure adoption and delivery of agentic AI solutions across the shared platforms that underpin all of Elsevier's products.
Responsibilities include governing adherence to architectural principles and standards and working with architects and senior architects as a key interaction point for communication, evangelism, governance, and feedback. The position also requires working closely alongside our engineering, product, and business partners to understand their strategies and enable timely, efficient, and governed delivery of solutions to support them.
- Translate business needs and technology direction into scalable architectural solutions.
- Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear, business‑focused manner to support decision‑making.
- Partner with architects across the organization to ensure alignment, governance, and shared architectural direction.
- Collaborate with product and business strategy teams to anticipate long‑term technological needs.
- Evaluate new technologies and potential acquisitions as required.
- Define and implement technology strategies that promote standardization, reuse, and simplification.
- Plan for the evolution, retirement, and replacement of systems within the business unit.
- Provide architectural leadership and promote software engineering best practices.
- Review and approve changes to infrastructure components and subsystems.
- Lead architectural design for large‑scale development efforts.
- Act as a bridge between enterprise architecture and engineering teams.
- Work collaboratively with architects across different groups to ensure cohesive solutions.
- Introduce and support teams in adopting new technologies.
- Lead teams in identifying and resolving complex technical challenges.
- Present findings, risks, and solution options to support informed decision‑making.
- Guide technical direction and architectural evolution through reviews and hands‑on leadership.
- Identify opportunities to evolve components into shared infrastructure.
- Stay current with industry and technology advancements and explore opportunities to apply them.
- Advocate for and support the adoption of shared technologies across business units.
- Collaborate closely with shared technology teams to provide architectural guidance and support.
Qualifications:
- Extensive experience (typically 15+ years) in software, network, or systems architecture.
- Significant experience leading cross‑functional or cross‑product architectural initiatives with measurable enterprise impact.
- Degree in Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
Technical Skills:
- Deep expertise in architectural design and governance.
- Strong understanding of programming concepts, databases, and modern engineering practices.
- Experience leading complex technical projects and collaborating with customers or external partners.
- Ability to work with vendors to align technology strategies with organizational architecture goals.
- Innovative mindset with experience in modern technologies, security, and infrastructure.
- Advanced skills in planning, prioritization, and managing multiple initiatives across teams.
- Strong problem‑solving abilities, including guiding teams through diagnosing and resolving complex issues.
- Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Ability to develop architectural business cases aligned with enterprise strategy.
- Expertise in APIs, API management, and API governance.
- Strong knowledge of modern authentication and authorization protocols (e.g., OAuth2, OIDC).
We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer various wellbeing initiatives and shared parental leave to help you meet your responsibilities and long‑term goals. Flexible working hours: flex the times when you work in the day to fit everything in and work when you are most productive.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Pension Plan
- Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave
- Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Family Care leave
- Flexible working hours
- Personal Choice budget
- Internal communities and networks
- Various employee discounts
- Recruitment introduction reward
- Employee Assistance Program (global)
Principal Architect in City of Westminster employer: RELX Group
At Elsevier, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the field of information and analytics. Our commitment to a healthy work/life balance is reflected in our flexible working hours and comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation entitlements and a robust pension plan. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide numerous opportunities for professional advancement while contributing to meaningful projects that address global challenges in science and healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Architect in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Elsevier on LinkedIn or through professional groups. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their tech stack and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how your skills align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex architectural challenges in the past. We love hearing about your problem-solving skills and innovative mindset.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Elsevier.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for designing future-ready systems shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission to improve health outcomes and advance science.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in software, network, or systems architecture. We’re looking for specific examples of how you’ve led cross-functional initiatives that had a measurable impact—so don’t hold back!
Communicate Clearly:Remember, we value clear communication! Present your technical concepts in a straightforward manner that even non-tech folks can understand. This will show us you can bridge the gap between engineering and business needs.
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 during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at RELX Group
✨Understand the Architecture Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the architectural principles and standards relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in identity and access management, API governance, and agentic AI solutions. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your passion for the field.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in a straightforward manner. Since the role involves communicating with diverse audiences, including senior leadership, being able to articulate your ideas clearly will set you apart. Consider using real-world examples to illustrate your points.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you partnered with architects, product teams, or business partners to drive architectural initiatives. This will showcase your ability to work collaboratively and influence engineering strategy.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
Research recent advancements in technology that could impact the role. Being knowledgeable about modern authentication protocols, API management, and emerging technologies will show your commitment to continuous learning and innovation, which is crucial for a Principal Architect.