Director, Data Science Optimisation

Job Description

Do you enjoy helping senior leaders build high-performing organisations and turn strategy into execution?

Are you at your best when bringing clarity, focus and momentum to complex technology environments?

About Our Tea

mAt Elsevier, we are transforming how researchers, healthcare professionals and organisations use data, AI and technology to solve some of the world's most important challenges

.Our Data Science organisation sits at the heart of this transformation, partnering with Product, Engineering and Technology leaders to develop innovative AI-enabled products, capabilities and services. As our organisation evolves, we are focused on creating the operating models, governance, leadership practices and ways of working that allow Data Science to deliver maximum impact at scale

. About the Ro

leWe are seeking a Director, Data Science Optimisation to serve as a trusted partner to the Chief Data Scientis

t.This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for helping shape and run the Data Science organisation. You will work across strategy, operations, governance, communications, organisational effectiveness, employee engagement and transformation initiatives to ensure the organisation remains focused on delivering business impac

t.You will act as the connective tissue across Data Science, Product, Engineering, Architecture, Governance and Technology leadership, creating alignment, driving execution and ensuring leadership attention remains focused on the priorities that matter mos

t.Success in this role requires exceptional judgement, influence, communication skills and operational excellence. You will be equally comfortable facilitating executive discussions, solving organisational challenges, driving strategic initiatives and building the management systems that help large organisations operate effectivel

y. Responsibilit

iesStrategic Leadership & Organisational Effectiven

essPartner with the Chief Data Scientist to translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes and organisational objectiv

es.Drive planning, prioritisation and execution across the Data Science leadership te

am.Establish and maintain a clear operating rhythm that supports decision-making, accountability and delive

ry.Help shape the long-term operating model for Data Science, ensuring effective collaboration with Product, Technology and Engineering partne

rs.Lead strategic initiatives that require cross-functional coordination and executive alignme

nt. Leadership Support & Focus Manage

mentAct as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the Chief Data Scient

ist.Create the structures, processes and governance needed to ensure leadership attention remains focused on the highest-value priorit

ies.Anticipate emerging risks, dependencies, opportunities and organisational challen

ges.Support executive communications, briefing materials, leadership meetings and stakeholder engageme

nts.Ensure decisions are translated into actions and followed through to complet

ion. Governance, Performance & Del

ivery· Lead the development and management of Data Science performance frameworks, including OKRs, KPIs and delivery repor

ting.· Drive governance routines that provide visibility into priorities, dependencies, risks and organisational he

alth.· Establish effective mechanisms for tracking progress and ensuring leadership commitments are deliv

ered.· Partner with Technology and Product leaders to strengthen planning, execution and operational excellence across the organisa

tion. Organisational Development &

ChangeLead initiatives that improve organisational effectiveness, employee engagement and leadership capab

ility.Support the adoption of new ways of working, including AI-enabled development practices and organisational transformation progr

ammes.Partner with HR, Communications and Enablement teams to strengthen culture, engagement and communication effectiv

eness.Help create an environment where innovation, experimentation and learning can thrive while remaining aligned to business out

comes. Cross-Functional Lea

dershipBuild strong relationships across Product, Technology, Architecture, Governance, Security and Data organis

ations.Facilitate collaboration across leadership teams to remove organisational friction and accelerate de

livery.Represent the Chief Data Scientist in selected forums and initiatives when appro

priate.Ensure Data Science priorities remain connected to broader Technology and business obje

ctives. Requ

irementsE

ssentialSignificant leadership experience in technology strategy, operations, transformation, product operations, programme leadership, organisational effectiveness or Chief of Staf

f roles.Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives in complex, global organi

sations.Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing

skills.Strong strategic thinking combined with outstanding operational ex

ecution.Experience creating governance frameworks, operating rhythms and performance-management pr

ocesses.Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing executive-level ma

terials.Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and bring structure to complex cha

llenges.High levels of emotional intelligence, judgement and organisational aw

areness.Experience working across matrixed organisations with diverse stakeholder

groups.

PreferredExperience within Data Science, AI, Technology, Product Development or Digital organ

isations.Understanding of software development, data science delivery models, AI governance and technology operatin

g models.Experience leading organisational transformation, change management or business optimisation ini

tiatives.Familiarity with OKR-based performance management and executive governance p

rocesses. What Success L

ooks Like:Within your f

irst year:The Data Science leadership team operates with greater clarity, focus and accou

ntability.Strategic priorities are translated into well-defined plans and measurable

outcomes.Decision-making and governance become more effective and tr

ansparent.Leadership time is focused on the highest-value activities and strategic oppo

rtunities.Cross-functional collaboration across Product, Engineering and Data Science is stronger and more

effective.Employee engagement, organisational communication and leadership effectiveness show measurable im

provement.Data Science is recognised as an increasingly mature, aligned and business-focused organisation that consistently delive

rs impact. W

hy Join Us?This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Data Science within one of the world's leading information and analytics organisations. You will work directly with senior leaders, influence organisation-wide decisions, and play a critical role in helping Elsevier build the next generation of AI-powered products, capabilities and e

xperiences.You will join a collaborative, inclusive and ambitious environment where your ability to drive clarity, alignment and execution will directly contribute to the success of our colleagues, customers an

d business. Wor

king for youWe know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delight

ed to offer:Comprehensive

Pension PlanHome, office, or commutin

g allowance.Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabb

atical leaveMaternity, Paternity, Adoption and Famil

y Care leaveFlexible w

orking hoursPersonal C

hoice budgetInternal communities

and networksVarious employ

ee discountsRecruitment introdu

ction rewardEmployee Assistance Prog

ram (global) About

the businessAs 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.