Director, Data Science Optimisation

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 Team

At 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 Role

We are seeking a Director, Data Science Optimisation to serve as a trusted partner to the Chief Data Scientist.

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 impact.

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 most.

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 effectively.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Effectiveness

• Partner with the Chief Data Scientist to translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes and organisational objectives.

• Drive planning, prioritisation and execution across the Data Science leadership team.

• Establish and maintain a clear operating rhythm that supports decision-making, accountability and delivery.

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

• Lead strategic initiatives that require cross-functional coordination and executive alignment.

Leadership Support & Focus Management

• Act as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the Chief Data Scientist.

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

• Anticipate emerging risks, dependencies, opportunities and organisational challenges.

• Support executive communications, briefing materials, leadership meetings and stakeholder engagements.

• Ensure decisions are translated into actions and followed through to completion.

Governance, Performance & Delivery

• · Lead the development and management of Data Science performance frameworks, including OKRs, KPIs and delivery reporting.

• · Drive governance routines that provide visibility into priorities, dependencies, risks and organisational health.

• · Establish effective mechanisms for tracking progress and ensuring leadership commitments are delivered.

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

Organisational Development & Change

• Lead initiatives that improve organisational effectiveness, employee engagement and leadership capability.

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

• Partner with HR, Communications and Enablement teams to strengthen culture, engagement and communication effectiveness.

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

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Build strong relationships across Product, Technology, Architecture, Governance, Security and Data organisations.

• Facilitate collaboration across leadership teams to remove organisational friction and accelerate delivery.

• Represent the Chief Data Scientist in selected forums and initiatives when appropriate.

• Ensure Data Science priorities remain connected to broader Technology and business objectives.

Requirements

Essential

• Significant leadership experience in technology strategy, operations, transformation, product operations, programme leadership, organisational effectiveness or Chief of Staff roles.

• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives in complex, global organisations.

• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Strong strategic thinking combined with outstanding operational execution.

• Experience creating governance frameworks, operating rhythms and performance-management processes.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing executive-level materials.

• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and bring structure to complex challenges.

• High levels of emotional intelligence, judgement and organisational awareness.

• Experience working across matrixed organisations with diverse stakeholder groups.

Preferred

• Experience within Data Science, AI, Technology, Product Development or Digital organisations.

• Understanding of software development, data science delivery models, AI governance and technology operating models.

• Experience leading organisational transformation, change management or business optimisation initiatives.

• Familiarity with OKR-based performance management and executive governance processes.

What Success Looks Like:

Within your first year:

• The Data Science leadership team operates with greater clarity, focus and accountability.

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

• Decision-making and governance become more effective and transparent.

• Leadership time is focused on the highest-value activities and strategic opportunities.

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

• Employee engagement, organisational communication and leadership effectiveness show measurable improvement.

• Data Science is recognised as an increasingly mature, aligned and business-focused organisation that consistently delivers impact.

Why 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 experiences.

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 and business.

Working for you

We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

• Comprehensive Pension Plan

• Home, office, or commuting allowance.

• 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)

About the business

As 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.









We know your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. We are delighted to offer country specific benefits. Click here to access benefits specific to your location.

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