Head of Middleware Platform

Experis - ManpowerGroup; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 86,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Experis - ManpowerGroup is seeking a Head of Middleware Platform in Sheffield to lead the security, governance, and strategic direction of a large-scale middleware estate. The role involves defining secure platform standards, driving compliance, and ensuring middleware services remain secure and aligned with business objectives.

You will work with platform teams, architects, service owners, and security stakeholders to maintain configuration standards, drive improvements, and evolve the

Qualifications

• 5+ years of enterprise middleware experience and leadership.
• Ability to define secure platform standards and governance.
• Experience driving security compliance in middleware estate.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain secure configuration standards across middleware technologies including WebSphere, IBM MQ, Apache, Tomcat, WebLogic, NGINX, and Node.js.
• Drive middleware security compliance and remediation activities.
• Develop platform strategy, roadmaps, and improvement plans.
• Manage and prioritise platform backlogs based on business value and risk.
• Monitor platform health, performance, and compliance metrics.
• Collaborate with architecture, security, and technology teams to support ongoing platform evolution.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation.

Skills

Middleware leadership

Security governance

Stakeholder management

Architectural guidance

Tools

IBM WebSphere

IBM MQ

Apache

Tomcat

WebLogic

NGINX

Node.js

Job description

Head of Middleware Platform

Location: Sheffield (3 days onsite per week)
Inside IR35 Rate: £465.00 - £495.00 per day

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Head of Middleware Platform to lead the security, governance, and strategic direction of a large-scale middleware estate.

You'll work closely with platform teams, architects, service owners, and security stakeholders to define secure platform standards, drive compliance, and ensure middleware services remain secure, resilient, and aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain secure configuration standards across middleware technologies including WebSphere, IBM MQ, Apache, Tomcat, WebLogic, NGINX, and Node.js.


• Drive middleware security compliance and remediation activities.


• Develop platform strategy, roadmaps, and improvement plans.


• Manage and prioritise platform backlogs based on business value and risk.


• Monitor platform health, performance, and compliance metrics.


• Collaborate with architecture, security, and technology teams to support ongoing platform evolution.


• Provide technical leadership and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5+ years' experience working with enterprise middleware technologies, including several of:




• IBM WebSphere


• IBM MQ


• Apache


• Tomcat


• WebLogic


• NGINX


• Node.js




• Strong background in middleware security and secure configuration management.


• Experience working with CIS Benchmarks.


• Previous experience leading technical teams.


• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.


• Ability to translate technical concepts into business-focused outcomes.

Desirable

• CISSP or equivalent security certification.


• Experience within large-scale enterprise environments.

This is an excellent opportunity for a middleware leader to shape platform strategy, improve security posture, and drive operational excellence across a critical technology estate.