EMS Press is looking for a proactive, pragmatic and technically confident Head of Technology who can combine hands-on technical judgement with clear leadership, reliable project delivery, and close collaboration across the organisation. This is a part-time senior-level role reporting to the managing director. The role requires broad technical knowledge, and experience managing agile, project-focused teams.
EMS Press is the publishing house of the not-for-profit European Mathematical Society and is based in Berlin, Germany. Our program includes 28 journals and about 15–20 new book titles per year, with a backlist of over 270 books. We are expanding our role as a community publisher with innovative publishing products and services. Our emphasis is on fair and sustainable models for open access and accessible formats to maximise the impact of mathematics research. Role description
We are looking for a proactive, pragmatic and technically confident Head of Technology who can combine hands-on technical judgement with clear leadership, reliable project delivery, and close collaboration across the organisation. This is a part-time senior-level role reporting to the managing director. The role requires broad technical knowledge, and experience managing agile, project-focused teams.
Requirements
3+ years’ experience with databases, data processing, web technology, and implementation of technical specifications
Experience managing or leading technical teams
Excellent communicator with collaborative mindset
Demonstrable experience of project management, structured delivery, and good operational practice; qualifications such as PMP are a bonus
Sound knowledge of software development best practices, including version control, code reviews, CI, testing, and documentation
Ability to work independently, take ownership of individual projects, and provide oversight across the wider technology portfolio
Professional communication in English
Based in or near Berlin, with availability for regular in-person meetings
Bonus: product management skills, knowledge of LaTeX, degree in computer science or related field, or experience in academic publishing
Role details As the EMS Press Head of Technology you will manage the technology department of the publishing house. You will be responsible for
leading the technology department and representing it in the leadership team
leading software projects from ideation to completion
setting realistic project plans and ensuring that deadlines are met or adjusted in agreement with stakeholders
overseeing the maintenance and operation of existing services
contributing to existing software where needed, including developing new features and resolving issues
ensuring the security and data protection compliance of infrastructure and processes
planning and implementing technology budgets
coordinating closely with other departments in the publishing house
Examples of your job duties and involved technology include
Publishing website (ems.press) and society website euromathsoc.org
Headless CMS based on Directus
Job queues for workflow orchestration
TypeScript, React, HTTP APIs and relational databases
Academic publishing standards and infrastructure (JATS XML, ONIX, Crossref, EPUB)
Containers, Kubernetes, Google Cloud infrastructure and GitOps
Accessibility and assistive technologies (e.g. WCAG)
Business intelligence and data analytics (e.g. helping other team members make informed decisions based on the available data in different internal databases)
Automations and LLM/ML-based tools to reduce repetitive manual work for yourself and others
Note that the technology list is illustrative and there is no requirement to know every item.
What we offer
Part-time permanent employment (24-32 hours per week) with prospect to increase work hours mid-term
Base salary range 75-86K EUR gross annually, full-time equivalent, depending on experience, plus an annual performance bonus of up to 10%. Compensation is pro-rated according to working hours.
Flexible working hours
Small and dynamic international team
Office at TU Berlin and/or remote work with regular in-person meetings