Decent company, bad CIO - Principal Software Engineer Elsevier Employee Review

3.0
Oct 19, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company is pretty financially strong, and part of a strong parent company (RELX). The pay and benefits are competitive, and there seems to be a real intention toward inclusion and diversity, though not yet fulfilled.

Cons

The CIO (head of technology company-wide) may be a decent tech guy, but he's a terrible manager. He repeatedly trashed the Dayton office, despite positive results, based on some sort of prejudice in favor of bjgger cities. This culminated with essentially shutting down the office, losing lots of loyal and skilled employees. Many had literally decades' worth of institutional knowledge that cannot be replaced in London.

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Elsevier Response
5y
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We are disappointed to hear your perception of one of our managers. First, thanks for your contributions over the years. Elsevier has 8,100 employees serving customers in 180 countries. Just like you mentioned, most of our employees stay working for us for many years because of job stability. However, with the business world changing constantly and rapidly, virtually every established business feels the imperative to continuously make changes, improve and innovate. Executives, managers and employees across our business work hard together to figure out how to best and strategically address the genuine needs of our customers and partners globally. With a presence in various locations, we are in a position to sometimes manage our business priorities and support our customers by maximising our efforts while we also focus on how best to support our people and their needs through any change that this may cause. Our leadership team in tech, led by our capable CIO and employees are aligned in striving to create a great work environment for everyone. We are unified in our efforts to continue to build an environment that is free of partial decisions but one that's connected, supportive, nurturing and good for business. Again, thanks for taking the time to leave your comment.

Explore other reviews about Elsevier

5.0
May 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Industry leader Great benefits Incentive trips Invests heavily in its employees

Cons

Processes can be burdensome and clunky at times

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Elsevier Response
1mo
Thank you for this balanced and thoughtful review. We're glad to hear that our benefits and investment in people are making a positive impact, those are commitments we take seriously. On the process feedback: Leadership is actively reviewing operational workflows, and the advice to listen more closely to employee feedback is something we're holding ourselves accountable to. If you're open to it, we'd encourage you to bring specific examples forward through your team or people and culture contacts. Change is most effective when it's grounded in the real experiences of the people doing the work, and that means you. Feel free to reach out to us at elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to provide more information Thank you for staying engaged and for caring enough to share this. It matters.
4.0
Jun 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Great company -Team has talented, experienced account managers and product experts who know the territory well

Cons

West team management is heavy on micromanagement and sets unrealistic territory targets without rep input — high turnover, and long tenure in company seems to shield this manager from accountability and growth

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