Director, Strategic Initiatives

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. Role Overview   The Director, Strategic Initiatives is a cross-functional role responsible for driving the team’s most high-visibility engagement programs. This role serves as the operational and strategic engine behind the ServiceNow.org Strategic Advisory Board, marquee ServiceNow.org events/programs and select Corporate Affairs engagements. The ideal candidate combines executive-level presence, exceptional project management discipline, and the ability to innovate and translate strategic intent into flawless execution.    The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, drives alignment across diverse stakeholders, and leads through influence in a fast-paced global environment. Success in this role requires strategic acumen, exceptional program leadership, executive communications expertise, operational excellence, and a consistent focus on delivering measurable impact.  Direct program scope includes:   Strategic Advisory Board membership management and governance   5–8 major annual events across ServiceNow.org portfolio  Cross-functional team coordination spanning ServiceNow.org, Strategic Relations, Communications, Government Affairs, Global Impact, and Marketing   Key Responsibilities   1.  Strategic Advisory Board Management (ServiceNow.org)   Serve as the executive program lead for the ServiceNow.org Strategic Advisory Board, ensuring it operates as a high-impact governance and thought leadership body.   Lead end-to-end recruitment of 2+ new Board members, including candidate identification, executive vetting, and contracting   Manage the relationship with current board members, keeping engaged and serving as main point of contact   Develop and maintain onboarding collateral; ensure materials reflect current organizational strategy and priorities   Own the Board meeting calendar, send pre-read packages, and manage logistics for in-person convenings including venue and facilities coordination   Curate meeting agendas, commission content, and brief facilitators to ensure sessions drive strategic value   Design and manage the Executive Dinner series tied to Board engagement and executive relationship-building   2.  Complex Cross-Functional Program Leadership   Lead high-complexity, high-visibility strategic initiatives that span multiple business units, requiring executive stakeholder management and disciplined delivery.   Serve as Program Director for enterprise-wide strategic projects (e.g., World Works Initiative), aligning cross-functional teams to shared milestones   Develop project charters, RACI frameworks, workstream plans, and executive status reporting   Proactively identify risks, resolve blockers, and escalate appropriately to ensure on-time delivery   Own post-event engagement tracking and ROI measurement frameworks; present results to senior leadership   3.  ServiceNow.org Event Strategy & Execution   Act as the senior project lead for ServiceNow.org's event portfolio, ensuring cohesive execution, brand consistency, and measurable business outcomes.   Own end-to-end project management for key events including Knowledge, NetHope, World Forums, select Summits, and GovForum   Drive bi-weekly project meetings, kick-off calls, KBYG sessions, and workstream check-ins with full accountability for action items and deadlines   Manage sponsorship package timelines and ensure deliverables are met across internal and external partners   Identify and develop key customer narratives and messaging for keynotes and sessions; source and prepare internal and external speakers   Create executive-ready slides and talk tracks, lead speaker preparation and rehearsal processes   Keep senior leadership informed with metrics dashboards and accountability frameworks   Ensure CRM hygiene in Dynamics; activate post-event lead follow-up process in partnership with marketing    Qualifications  12+ years of progressive experience in strategic programs, corporate affairs, events, or executive communications   Demonstrated track record managing complex, cross-functional programs at a global scale   Experience supporting or engaging with C-suite executives and external senior stakeholders (board members, policymakers, NGO leaders)   Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to develop executive-grade content   Strong command of project management methodologies; proficiency with project tracking tools   High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence without authority across functions and geographies   Preferred   Experience in an engagement related role within a Fortune 500 technology company   Experience with Dynamics or equivalent CRM; understanding of lead management and marketing ops workflows   Background in nonprofit or social impact programming a plus   Leadership Competencies - What It Looks Like in This Role  Strategic Acumen   Translates high-level organizational priorities into structured programs with measurable outcomes   Executive Presence   Engages credibly with Board members, C-suite executives, and global external partners   Operational Excellence   Manages multiple simultaneous workstreams without losing quality or accountability   Influencing Without Authority   Aligns stakeholders across functions to shared goals and timelines   Na