VP, APEX Central Strategic Operations

Company Description

It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious task for his coworker, Phyllis. She cried tears of joy. That moment inspired Fred to build a company that could do that for everyone—freeing people from busywork so they could focus on meaningful work. Today, ServiceNow is the AI control tower for business reinvention. Our ServiceNow AI platform brings together any AI, any data, and any workflow— helping 85% of the Fortune 500® work smarter, faster, and better. We're building an AI-native culture where technology and talent are unstoppable together. And we're just getting started.

Join us to put AI to work for people.

Job Description

We're seeking a VP, APEX Central Strategic Operations to lead our Central Pillar team, the connective tissue for the AI Product, Engineering, and Experience (APEX) organization. Central Pillar has two mandates: strategic operations support for the central Product Management SVP, and cross-APEX coordination — pulling together the many StratOps teams, centralized and embedded, that support a ~16,000-person organization with different structures and models into one coherent APEX story, strategy, and operating engine.

This role reports directly to the GVP, APEX Strategic Operations. You'll lead through influence — bringing coherence and alignment across a large, distributed set of StratOps teams and functions that don't report to you, rather than directing them. You'll partner closely with the GVP's office and Chief of Staff; COO StratOps and cross-APEX program management remain with the GVP, so your focus is cross-APEX strategy and coordination, not those functions.

You'll do this against a backdrop of rapid change as we evolve to an AI-native future — reimagining how we work, not just what we work on.

What you'll do:

• Own cross-APEX strategic operations: align the many StratOps teams and models across a ~16,000-person org into a single strategy, story, and operating rhythm.
• Partner with leaders across product, cloud and product engineering, design, support, DT, security, and GTM to align priorities and drive coordinated execution across APEX.
• Ensure consistency in metrics, taxonomy, reporting, and financial inspection — the structural foundation that lets APEX operate at scale.
• Manage workforce planning metrics, targets, and performance, along with APEX location strategy.
• Provide strategic operations support to the Central Product Management SVP.
• Lead APEX-wide long-range planning, annual planning, and budgeting — including standard templates and deep-dive analysis that drive key strategic decisions — and support Summer Strategy at the ServiceNow level.
• Strengthen the product organization's planning and decision cadence, including planning cycles, strategic reviews, and decision forums.
• Help build the APEX StratOps OKRs, and weigh in on Corporate and APEX OKRs as needed.
• Design and institutionalize repeatable strategy and operating mechanisms that drive speed, scale, and accountability across a distributed org.
• Drive portfolio value management — linking investment to outcomes and enabling faster trade-off and reinvestment decisions.
• Synthesize and communicate the single APEX story to senior leadership, including the GVP, CPO, and COO.
• Lead and develop a team of 20+ Strategic Operations professionals, building a high-performing, inclusive team that scales with ServiceNow's growth.
• Raise performance standards and drive adoption of new ways of working across the org.
• Drive productivity gains through AI tooling and process re-engineering — simplifying cadences and applying AI to work like GTM product readiness and program management.

What "great" looks like: the organization has clarity on priorities and works effectively despite constant change. Central Pillar is the reason APEX moves as one, even when the underlying teams don't share a reporting line.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role you have:

• Proven leadership of strategy and operations during large-scale transformation in a global tech or SaaS organization, ideally with direct experience inside a product or engineering org, not only advising one.
• 15+ years relevant experience (or 12+ post-MBA/equivalent) in tech strategy/ops, management consulting, investment banking, or private equity.
• A track record of driving results through influence, not just authority — you'll align teams you don't manage.
• Concrete experience embedding AI into workflows — automating processes, simplifying cadences, or applying AI-driven insights to operational work.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with executives to build and run strategy and business plans in fast-moving environments.
• Strong financial acumen; ability to connect strategy to execution through business cases, resourcing, and metrics.
• Working knowledge of goal systems (OKRs, KPIs) and portfolio management.
• Track record building and developing diverse, high-performing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, credible in both business and technical settings.
• Change leadership skills — able to shape culture and drive adoption of new mechanisms at scale.

JV19

For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $263,900 - $448,600, 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 and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity,  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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