ServiceNow Futures Director (Santa Clara or NYC area)

Company Description
It all started in sunny San Diego, California in 2004 when a visionary engineer, Fred Luddy, saw the potential to transform how we work. Fast forward to today - ServiceNow stands as a global market leader, bringing innovative AI-enhanced technology to over 8,100 customers, including 85% of the Fortune 500®. Our intelligent cloud-based platform seamlessly connects people, systems, and processes to empower organizations to find smarter, faster, and better ways to work. But this is just the beginning of our journey. Join us as we pursue our purpose to make the world work better for everyone.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced technology futurist to join our Innovation Office ideally located close to our Santa Clara or NYC innovation centers.
As one of the world's leading enterprise AI platforms, and with more than 85% of the Fortune 500 as customers, how we imagine and build for the future of work matters.
This first-of-its-kind role within ServiceNow will focus on in-depth foresight research and scenario development that helps bridge the gap between emerging technologies and their escalating impact on how our businesses, our economy, and our society operate and evolve. The strategic foresight you will actively shape our customers' understanding of AI-first business transformation.
As Director of ServiceNow Futures, you will be a research-driven strategic advisor and communicator. Excelling across this spectrum will require the following;
1) A naturally creative and visionary mindset, comfortable with challenging orthodoxies, and fluent in the socio-technical dynamics of technology and business.
2) A disciplined, human-centered researcher and formally trained practitioner of strategic foresight & futures methodologies/frameworks, STEEP informed trend & driver analysis, forecasting, participatory research, systems mapping, scenario planning & development, back casting, and wind tunneling.
3) A compelling writer and storyteller, able to distill complexity and mess into meaningful insights and strategies for C-level executives, innovation leaders, and customers.
4) A disciplined leader, grounded by experience driving agendas and change within large organizations and able to speak fluently to the organizational value of Strategic Foresight.
5) A highly collaborative and approachable style, able to work effectively with personas across the enterprise and the technical/non-technical spectrum.
Ultimately, we are looking for a leader who is interested in helping to build a new organizational capability and muscle within the Innovation Office at ServiceNow and who is excited to leverage our platform and market position in service of our mission to make the world work better for everyone.
Responsibilities
Futures Research:
• Develop a future-focused research plan/program aligned with innovation leadership priorities.
• Manage muti-stakeholder foresight research process from scanning through to scenario and strategy development.
• Conduct in-depth primary and secondary research on trends related to the technology, industry, or persona of focus. This includes direct engagement with customers, executives, and industry experts in technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, and beyond.
• Explore how the intelligent enterprise of the future may evolve, as well as the technological stack on which it is built.
• Collaborate with the team to bring foresight scenarios to life using rich narrative, visual illustration, design fiction, and, where possible, technical prototypes.
Publishing & Thought Leadership:
• Develop and align an editorial calendar that flows directly from the research program and Innovation Office priorities.
• Author thought leadership content, including forecasting reports, executive briefings, and articles that help to effectively disseminate insights internally at ServiceNow helping to drive deeper engagement with the Innovation Office and externally with our customers, helping to position ServiceNow as a thought leader.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Present to internal teams and customers to inform strategic decisions about business strategy development, technology, and resource investments.
• Collaborate with marketing and innovation teams to amplify thought leadership through content marketing vehicles, events, webinars, and media opportunities.
Scaling Futures & Best Practices:
• Guide and mentor Innovation Officers, Innovation Engineers, and colleagues in futures and scenario planning methodologies.
• Contribute to the development of internal frameworks and methodologies for research, forecasting, and strategic analysis.
• Empower account and customer-facing teams to help customers lead AI-first business transformation on the platform.
Qualifications
Formal Qualifications
• Experience in leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into work processes, decision-making, or problem-solving. This may include using AI-powered tools, automating workflows, analyzing AI-driven insights, or exploring AI's potential impact on the function or industry.
• Proven expertise in futures research, strategic foresight, scenario planning, and market analysis.
• Experience working with C-level executives and technology leaders.
• Ability to synthesize complex technology and business trends into clear, actionable insights.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and communication skills-able to create compelling research reports and present findings persuasively.
• Firm grasp of AI, automation, emerging technologies, and their impact on business strategy (technical depth is a plus, but this is not a technologist role).
• A background in enterprise software, research firms, or think tanks is preferred.
• Experience leading and conducting primary and secondary research, including executive interviews and market trend analysis.
Preferred Experience
• Graduate-level training in Futures/Strategic Foresight
• Experience in leading futurist firms, corporate futurism roles, or forecasting organizations.
• Familiarity with business transformation methodologies, digital strategy, and AI-first innovation frameworks.
• Experience presenting to business executives and leaders at customer sites and industry events, leading workshops.
• A related body of published research thought leadership, or industry reports related to innovation, digital, or business transformation.
• A passion for challenging conventional thinking and shaping the future of business and technology
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic, highly strategic environments with global teams.
Not sure if you meet every qualification? We still encourage you to apply! We value inclusivity, welcoming candidates from diverse backgrounds, including non-traditional paths. Unique experiences enrich our team, and the willingness to dream big makes you an exceptional candidate!
For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $180,900 - $316,600, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.
Additional Information
Work Personas
We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work. Learn more here .
Equal Opportunity Employer
ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or nationality, ancestry, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.
Accommodations
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
Export Control Regulations
For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.
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