We are the world’s largest university press. That means we serve the academic community as no other publisher can. We work in partnership with institutions and learned societies to bring a world of knowledge to the fingertips of students and researchers worldwide.
The goal is impact. Together with our academic communities, we curate and seamlessly connect together the ideas that push their fields forward, so they can learn from them, add to them, and continue a virtuous cycle of scholarship.
And because we are a part of the academic community and guided in everything we do by our mission, we re-invest in our people, our publishing, and the world-leading research institution of which we are part.
About the Role
The Language Data Platform Architect is responsible for shaping the strategic framework that underpins multiple data platforms and tools, supporting AI-tools, new AI-driven product lines and established language data products. This ensures Oxford Languages’ short and long-term strategic goals are met efficiently and reliably. This role is accountable for the sustainability and reliability of OL’s data platforms, tools, and workflows, ensuring that OUP Academic, ELT, and Education divisions can consistently deliver high-quality datasets to customers and users.
By fostering a culture of technical excellence, continuous improvement, and best practice adoption, the Language Platform Architect ensures that frameworks are scalable, efficient, and compliant, while minimizing one-off solutions and duplication.
Beyond high-level strategic lens, this role is also responsible for evaluating technical options and designing solutions for new product proofs of concept and prototypes, ensuring innovation aligns with business priorities.
This role drives Oxford Languages' strategic and technical objectives by translating business goals into actionable plans for the Data and Systems teams, ensuring alignment with product roadmaps and technological trends. It leads the development and implementation of a scalable, future-ready data platform strategy, consolidating tools and frameworks for efficiency and consistency. The role promotes innovation by exploring emerging AI technologies, engaging with stakeholders, and supporting discovery initiatives. It also provides technical leadership in early product design stages through option analysis, initial architecture drafting, and ongoing advisory support to product and systems teams.
We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.
About You
Essential:
Experience in developing and aligning data, systems or solutions architecture and design with business vision and long-term objectives.
Experience of AWS tools and best practices
Experience in working with structured and unstructured data
Deep knowledge of Relational, Non-relational, Vector database systems
Experience in building and maintaining AI Pipelines
Experience with AI tooling and approaches
Experience in working with cross-functional teams, balancing strategic direction with hands-on technical execution
Track-record of delivering multiple projects on scope and on time at the same time
Interest and experience in developing and delivering innovation initiatives, project or products
Track-record in influencing others to adopt a course of action
Desirable:
Competence in project management of technical projects using Agile and Waterfall
Knowledge of programming skills (Python or similar)
Benefits
We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.
We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts.
This role comes with the added benefit of a discretionary annual payment.
Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.
We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.
