Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations
Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations

Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations

Full-Time 118300 - 219800 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
RELX

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the evolution of our internal developer platform and drive engineering transformation.
  • Company: Join a global leader in technology and innovation at Elsevier.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a culture focused on collaboration, innovation, 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 118300 - 219800 ÂŁ 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 and shaping 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.

Compensation

If performed in New York, the base pay range is $130,200 - $241,800. If performed in New York City, the base pay range is $142,000 - $263,800. If performed in Rochester, NY, the base pay range is $118,300 - $219,800. U.S. National Base Pay Range: $118,300 - $219,800. Geographic differentials may apply in some locations to better reflect local market rates.

EEO & Equal Opportunity

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: RELX

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 industry advancements, making a meaningful impact in your role as Head of Platforms.
RELX

Contact Detail:

RELX Recruiting Team

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 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 change 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 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

Platform Strategy Development
Engineering Transformation
Technical Leadership
Developer Experience Enhancement
AI Integration in Software Development
Automation Practices
Operational Excellence
Stakeholder Influence
Distributed Engineering Team Management
SRE (Site Reliability Engineering)
Observability
Secure-by-Design Principles
Effective Communication
Cultural Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in platform strategy and engineering 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 cultural 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 depth, especially in areas like AI integration and developer experience. We’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between technology and business outcomes, so make that clear!

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 this exciting opportunity at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at RELX

✨Know Your Platform Strategy

Before the interview, dive deep into the platform strategy and vision of the company. Understand how they define their internal developer platform and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals for modernization and AI integration.

✨Showcase Leadership Experience

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in driving cultural and operational transformations. Be ready to discuss how you've built and led large teams, and how you fostered an engineering-led, automation-first culture in previous roles.

✨Emphasise Developer Experience

Familiarise yourself with concepts like DORA and SPACE metrics. Be prepared to talk about how you've improved developer productivity and satisfaction in past positions, and how you would champion reuse and inner sourcing across engineering teams.

✨Communicate Effectively

Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that resonates with both executive and technical audiences. Clear communication is key, so think about how you can convey your ideas on platform capabilities and business outcomes succinctly.

Head of Platforms - Technology, Infrastructure and Operations
RELX

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