Head of Publishing & HR Systems

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 115,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic Head of Publishing & HR Systems to lead a diverse team within their Technology division. This pivotal role involves shaping the direction of transformational initiatives, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring operational stability across platforms. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, this position offers the opportunity to drive best practices and deliver impactful results in a dynamic environment. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to making a difference through literature and technology.

Benefits

Flexible remote work

Collaborative office environment

Recognition and responsibility culture

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in Technology environments.
• Proven experience leading Technology teams across multiple locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Publishing and HR Applications strategy.
• Oversee analysis, development, testing, and support for systems.

Skills

Leadership in Technology

Agile Service Management

Business Acumen

Supplier Management

Contract Review

Tools

Virtusales

Dayforce

Job description

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We have a great opening in our Senior Technology Leadership Team, and we are seeking a strategic and driven Head of Publishing & HR Systems to join our successful team of five, reporting directly to our Group Technology Director at Penguin Random House UK.

This pivotal role is key to shaping the strategic direction and delivery of transformational initiatives within Penguin Random House UK's Technology division. The successful candidate will be involved in technology and business capability planning, innovation strategy, and budget management, ensuring our technology services align with business priorities while running smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

About Technology

Our Technology division is advancing with a strategic plan to amplify our organization's voice in line with our mission. We aim to create the book publisher of the future by leveraging Cloud solutions, enhancing security, upgrading legacy applications, advancing AI capabilities, and strengthening interactions with strategic partners and suppliers globally. Our division is based in London and Colchester, with approximately 200 colleagues dedicated to our mission – making books for everyone, because a book can change anyone.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, empowering, and equitable workplace. Our recent successes include increased engagement and a sense of belonging within our division. Your role will be vital in leading this effort.

To learn more about our Technology team,

The role

As the leader of the Publishing and HR Systems Team, you will inspire, guide, and manage a diverse, high-performing team focused on operational stability and innovative solutions. Your responsibilities include overseeing the strategic development and operation of our Publishing and HR platforms, maintaining communication between business and technology teams, and managing vendor relationships to ensure top-tier service levels.

This role requires a proactive leader who can drive best practices across all delivery elements, from analysis and development to testing and support, ensuring our technology services are stable and meet availability targets.

Key responsibilities:

1. Develop and execute the Publishing and HR Applications strategy and roadmap, aligned with the broader Technology strategy and project portfolio.
2. Oversee analysis, development, testing, and support for Publishing and HR Systems and other platforms.
3. Build and maintain trusted relationships with stakeholders, including senior management.
4. Manage vendor relationships with Virtusales, Dayforce, and others, ensuring collaboration and effective delivery within release cycles.
5. Ensure the successful delivery of medium to large initiatives, meeting quality, time, and budget targets.
6. Provide strategic insights and allocate resources for global and local programs and initiatives.
7. Drive best practices through standards, policies, and metrics across delivery areas.
8. Foster innovation and stay ahead of new technologies and trends.
9. Develop and manage a team of 7, ensuring clear objectives, talent development, and succession planning.
10. Oversee resource management and departmental budgeting in line with policies.
11. Ensure security-conscious architecture with regular updates and upgrades per security policies.

What you will bring:

• Extensive leadership experience in Technology environments, with standards and Agile service management strategies.
• Proven experience leading Technology teams across multiple locations and time zones.
• Strong business acumen with experience in business cases and financial management.
• Ability to communicate strategies and ideas effectively to all business levels, including senior leadership.
• Experience in contract review and commercial negotiations.
• Deep understanding of supplier management and governance of vendor contracts.
• Leadership in diverse, inclusive teams with a focus on customer service and quality.
• Ability to craft strategies aligned with a larger technology roadmap and delivery plans.

Preferred criteria:

• Successful delivery of IT services to large user bases, preferably in publishing or media industries.
• Experience in a matrix organization influencing outcomes toward aligned targets.
• Experience driving transformational optimizations within Technology and business spheres as a trusted partner.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 13th May. We aim to fill this position quickly but are willing to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

The interview process includes a virtual first stage and an in-person second stage at our London offices. We are open to discussing this during the recruitment process.

Salary is circa £115,000, dependent on skills and experience, plus bonus and benefits.

What you can expect from us

We value our people and foster a culture of responsibility and recognition. Our offices support collaboration and celebration, but we also offer flexibility for remote work. Expect to spend about two days per week in our offices, depending on projects and collaboration needs.

About Penguin

We are the UK’s largest publisher, with around 2,000 employees publishing over 1,500 books annually. We embrace talent from all backgrounds and strive to innovate continuously. Join us to make a difference through our books.

The recruitment process

As a Disability Confident organization, we offer interviews to candidates with disabilities who meet the essential criteria and opt-in during application. Please inform us of any reasonable adjustments needed by emailing us. We do not accept agency CVs for this role; unsolicited CVs will not be eligible for a fee.