Strategy & Operations Director (Data Science)
Strategy & Operations Director (Data Science)
Are you passionate about turning strategy into measurable business outcomes?
Do you thrive on partnering with senior leaders to drive performance, operational excellence, and organisational impact?
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:
The Strategy & Operations Director will be a key member of the Data Science Ops team, working directly for the COO & Chief of Staff and with the Data Science leadership team to drive effective and efficient execution of Elsevier’s strategy.
The role will operate across the breadth of the COO & Chief of Staff agenda, with particular responsibility for creating a clear, data-driven view of how the Data Science organisation is performing and identifying opportunities to improve.
The successful candidate will combine analytical rigour, commercial judgement and strong execution skills, moving comfortably from analysing performance and identifying an issue to working with senior leaders to determine the response and ensuring actions are delivered. A strong understanding of data science will be highly advantageous as will efficiently leveraging AI tools. A strategy/consulting background can also be advantageous.
They will become a trusted partner to the COO & Chief of Staff and an important bridge across Data Science, Finance, Product, Technology, HR and other Elsevier functions.
Key responsibilities -
Performance management & optimisation
Develop and maintain an integrated view of performance across the Data Science division, bringing together financial, operational, product, delivery and organisational measures
Work with leadership to define the OKRs, KPIs and performance indicators
Establish effective performance rhythms, including leadership scorecards/dashboards, operating reviews and follow-up mechanisms
Analyse performance to identify trends, emerging risks, bottlenecks and areas of underperformance
Identify opportunities to improve productivity, effectiveness, resource utilisation and return on investment
Translate data into clear insights and recommendations for the COO & Chief of Staff and Data Science leadership
Work with leaders to diagnose the underlying causes of performance issues and develop practical interventions
Track interventions through to measurable outcomes and ensure benefits are realised
Strategic execution
Support the COO & Chief of Staff in translating Data Science strategy into clear priorities, initiatives and measurable outcomes
Maintain visibility across the division’s most important strategic initiatives and dependencies
Identify where execution is drifting from strategic intent and remedial actions
Lead or support high-priority cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the COO & Chief of Staff
Provide structured problem-solving on complex or ambiguous issues where ownership cuts across organisational boundaries
Help ensure resources and investment are aligned with the organisation’s highest-value priorities
COO & Chief of Staff support
Act as a trusted extension of the COO & Chief of Staff across the full breadth of the role
Support preparation for leadership meetings, operating reviews, strategy discussions and executive decision-making
Develop high-quality analysis, briefing materials and recommendations for senior stakeholders
Take ownership of priority issues or initiatives requiring additional leadership attention
Ensure decisions translate into clear actions, owners and outcomes
Anticipate issues requiring COO intervention and surface them early, with proposed solutions wherever possible
Operating model & organisational effectiveness
Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve decision-making and remove organisational friction
Analyse how work, resources and investment flow across Data Science and recommend improvements
Support evolution of the Data Science operating model as the organisation grows and its priorities change
Work with Finance and HR to develop greater transparency around workforce, capability, capacity and cost
Help leadership understand whether resources are deployed against the areas of greatest strategic and commercial value
Leadership cadence & governance
Help design and run an effective operating cadence for the Data Science leadership team.
Ensure leadership forums are focused on decisions, performance, and action rather than information sharing
Maintain visibility of key commitments, decisions, risks and dependencies
Continuously improve governance and reporting so that leadership has the information required to make faster, better decisions
Skills & Experience:
We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with strong analytical and execution capability.
The successful candidate is likely to have :
First-class stakeholder management and communication skills - includingthe ability to distil complex issues into concise executive-level recommendations and influence senior stakeholders without relying on formal authority
Significant experience in strategy, business operations, transformation, performance management, consulting or a comparable role
Experience working with senior executives in a complex, matrixed organisation
Strong analytical capability and the ability to make sense of complex financial, operational and organisational data
Demonstrable experience identifying performance improvement opportunities and driving them through to measurable outcomes
Excellent structured problem-solving skills
Strong financial and commercial acumen
Experience designing or operating executive-level performance management and governance
The judgement to know when to analyse further, when to escalate and when simply to get something done
Experience in data science, technology, digital products, information services or a similarly knowledge-intensive environment would be highly advantageous, but deep technical data science expertise is not essential.
Personal Characteristics
The role will suit someone who:
Is intellectually curious and naturally asks why performance looks the way it does
Is comfortable operating with ambiguity and creating structure where none exists
Can move between strategic questions and detailed operational issues
Challenges constructively and is comfortable working with senior leaders
Is highly numerate but understands that data is a tool for making decisions, not an end in itself
Has strong organisational judgement and emotional intelligence
Takes ownership and follows issues through to resolution
Is pragmatic, collaborative and low-ego
Can operate at pace while maintaining a high standard of work
Believes in Elsevier's mission to advance human progress
Why join us?
At Elsevier, you will be part of a diverse global product team that sits at the frontline of delivering value to customers. You will play a key role in enabling secure access to our products, shaping how customers experience and adopt our identity platform. We are committed to your success and wellbeing, offering flexible working, family leave, long-service recognition, and a supportive, collaborative environment where everyone has a part to play.
Work in a way that works for you
We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.
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:
Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days.
Health screening, eye care vouchers and private medical benefits
Wellbeing programs
Life assurance
Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme
Save As You Earn share option scheme.
Travel Season ticket loan.
Electric Vehicle Scheme
Optional Dental Insurance
Maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
Employee Assistance Programme
Access to emergency care for both the elderly and children
Access to extensive learning and development resources
Access to employee discounts scheme via Perks at Work
About the business -
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. Clickhereto access benefits specific to your location.
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