Head of Agile Technology & Platform Growth

Informa is a leading international events, intelligence and scholarly research group.

We’re the specialist’s specialist. Through hundreds of powerful brands, we work with businesses and professionals in specialist markets, providing the connections, intelligence and opportunities that help customers grow, do business, make breakthroughs and take better informed decisions.

Informa is listed on London Stock Exchange and a member of FTSE 100, with over 11,000 colleagues working in more than 30 countries.

Informa’s divisions include:

Informa Connect, a specialist in content-driven events and digital communities that allow professionals to meet, connect, learn and share knowledge.

Informa Intelligence, providing digital intelligence and data-based products, consultancy and research services that help businesses in specialist markets make better informed decisions, spot opportunities and gain competitive edge.

Informa Markets, creating platforms for international markets to trade, innovate and grow.Through over 500 leading brands, our exhibitions, specialist digital content and data solutions allow customers operating in specialist markets to meet and trade, and for their businesses and markets to thrive.

Informa Tech, a division bringing specialism in technology. We aim to inspire the global technology community to design, build and run a better digital world through research, media, training and events that inform, educate and connect businesses and professionals working in technology.

Taylor & Francis, specialist in scholarly research and in helping academic and research communities make new breakthroughs. We commission, curate, produce and publish scholarly research and reference-led content in specialist subject areas, helping to advance research and enabling knowledge to be discovered and shared.

Global Support is Informa's sixth division, with major hubs in the United Kingdom, United States, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as several smaller locations. As the team behind the teams, Global Support colleagues provide shared, efficient business services and function-specific expertise to each of Informa's operating divisions, enabling our commercial teams to focus on their markets and customers.

Group Technology Overview

Group Technology is a central technology function sitting within Informa’s Global Support division. It manages, supports and delivers technology services for all Informa divisions. Responsibilities include Architecture, Product Platform Delivery, Programme and project delivery, Infrastructure, Application support and development, Security Operations and Service Management.

Under a new Group Technology leadership team, we are looking to improve maturity across all technical capabilities to help grow and thrive into the future. At the heart of that goal is the need to embark on a transformational journey to deliver a step change across our systems, culture and ways of working to support the strategic aspirations of the Group - as we pivot from being a predominantly face to face business and leverage the strength of our brands in an omnichannel and digital environment.

As such, Group Technology is embarking on a clear roadmap for the modernisation of legacy services whilst developing new platforms, solutions and techniques that transform the department into an enabler of reliable, scalable and secure services that support Informa’s digital agenda and diverse customer landscape.

Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our team as the Head of Agile Technology & Platform Growth. This role is crucial in driving our company's strategic initiatives, ensuring agile practices, and spearheading the growth of our digital platforms. As a leader, you will play a pivotal role in optimizing our delivery processes, fostering innovation, and scaling our platforms to meet evolving market demands.

Responsibilities:

• Agile Technology Leadership:
  • Lead and champion agile methodologies, ensuring their effective implementation across departments and projects.
  • Coach and mentor teams on agile principles, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define and refine agile processes, removing impediments to enable smooth delivery.
• Platform Growth Strategy:
  • Develop and execute strategies for scaling our digital platforms in alignment with business goals.
  • Identify growth opportunities, leveraging market trends and customer feedback to drive platform enhancements.
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to prioritize feature development and ensure timely delivery.
• Team & Community Management:
  • Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
  • Set clear objectives and provide guidance to team members, facilitating their professional growth.
  • Encourage a culture of accountability, ownership, and teamwork within the department.
• Performance Analysis:
  • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure platform growth and delivery efficiency.
  • Analyze data and reports to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
  • Implement strategies to optimize delivery processes and enhance platform performance.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Collaborate closely with stakeholders, including senior management, product owners, and development teams.
  • Communicate effectively to align priorities, address concerns, and ensure a shared understanding of objectives.
  • Act as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, facilitating smooth communication and project execution.
    
    

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Proven experience (10 years) in leading agile delivery and driving platform growth within a technology-driven environment.
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, etc.) and their practical implementation.
• Demonstrated success in scaling digital platforms, driving innovation, and delivering high-quality products.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Analytical mindset with the capability to interpret data and drive strategic decisions.
  
  

What we’re looking for

A Head of Agile Technology & Platform Growth requires a diverse skill set that combines technical expertise, leadership abilities, and strategic vision. Here are some key skills necessary for this role:

1. Agile Methodologies Mastery: In-depth understanding and practical experience with agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, or Lean, along with a track record of successful implementation in different contexts.
   
2. Platform Growth Strategy: Ability to develop and execute growth strategies for digital platforms, including market analysis, identifying opportunities, and prioritizing feature development to meet business objectives.
   
3. Leadership and Team Management: Strong leadership skills to build and lead high-performing teams, foster collaboration, and inspire innovation. The ability to mentor, coach, and guide teams toward achieving goals.
   
4. Technical Acumen: A solid grasp of technology and digital platforms, along with the capability to comprehend technical requirements and challenges to facilitate effective communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
   
5. Strategic Thinking: Capacity to think strategically, align business goals with technology initiatives, and make data-driven decisions. This includes setting KPIs, analyzing metrics, and adapting strategies based on insights.
   
6. Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with stakeholders across various levels, ensuring alignment of priorities, managing expectations, and fostering collaborative relationships.
   
7. Problem-solving and Adaptability: The ability to navigate complex challenges, anticipate obstacles, and pivot strategies when necessary. Adaptability to changing circumstances and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
   
8. Performance Analysis and Optimization: Proficiency in utilizing data analysis tools to measure platform performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to optimize delivery processes and platform growth.
   
9. Innovation and Continuous Improvement: A mindset that encourages innovation and continuous improvement within teams, promoting a culture of learning, experimentation, and adaptability.
   
10. Business Acumen: Understanding of business drivers, market dynamics, and customer needs to align platform growth strategies with broader organizational objectives.