Director, Head of Editorial and Thought Leadership

Director, Head of Editorial & Thought Leadership

• Marketing, Communications, and Brand
• San Francisco
• Remote
• JB0072093

Job Description

As Director, Head of Editorial & Thought Leadership, you will own the strategic direction, editorial voice, and quality of ServiceNow’s global thought leadership – the steward responsible for shaping how ServiceNow shows up in the world — what we say, how we say it, and why it matters.

You will drive our editorial strategy, leveraging business, industry and cultural insights to develop a content roadmap that powers a new audience-first thought leadership experience, ensuring our content reflects what the market cares about, not just what the company wants to promote. You will oversee an editorial team of writers and editors while acting as the final editorial steward and strategic lead.

This role partners in lockstep our digital experience lead to translate audience insights into compelling, relevant, high-impact content. You will also work closely with operations, integrated marketing, and event teams to ensure thought leadership supports our key business priorities without compromising editorial integrity.

This is an outside-in leadership role for a seasoned editorial strategist who understands technology, AI, and the modern media landscape and can bring fresh thinking, cultural awareness, and sharp editorial judgment to everything we publish.

Editorial Strategy & Vision

• Lead global thought leadership editorial strategy across company, industry, and cultural narratives
• Establish editorial voice and content plan positioning ServiceNow as a trusted authority in technology and AI
• Align editorial strategy with marketing, events, and brand priorities while maintaining audience focus

Audience-First Content Leadership

• Serve as gatekeeper for all thought leadership content, ensuring it's audience-driven, insight-led, and strategically aligned
• Advise senior stakeholders with guidance, feedback, and principled pushback when needed
• Translate trends, news, and cultural shifts into timely, differentiated editorial ideas
• Surface fresh perspectives and original insights beyond standard executive messaging

Strategic Optimization

• Partner with digital experience lead to design content using performance data and audience insights
• Collaborate with operations, campaign, and events teams on integrated initiatives while maintaining editorial rigor

Team Leadership & Editorial Excellence

• Lead and develop team of writers, editors, and copy editors
• Set quality standards, workflows, and review processes ensuring consistency and credibility
• Coach team on storytelling, clarity, voice, and journalistic best practices

Multi-Format Storytelling

• Own written editorial and partner with producers/creative leads on video, audio, and multimedia
• Determine optimal format for each story (article, podcast, video, interactive) and guide execution 

Qualifications

Core Competencies

· Editorial & Thought Leadership Expertise

o   Deep experience building and running thought leadership platforms, editorial brands, or media-style content engines within technology or adjacent industries.

· Strategic Stewardship

o   Ability to balance business needs with audience trust, maintaining an audience-first editorial bar even in high-pressure stakeholder environments.

· Tech & AI Fluency

o   Strong understanding of enterprise technology, AI, and the evolving digital landscape, with the ability to translate complex topics into compelling narratives.

· Outside-In Perspective

o   A newsroom-level awareness of global news, culture, and trends, with a track record of turning those insights into differentiated editorial direction.

· Leadership & Influence

o   Proven ability to lead senior-level conversations, manage stakeholders, and build trust across marketing, product, communications, and executive teams.

· Multimedia Mindset

o   Comfortable thinking beyond written content, collaborating with producers and creatives to bring stories to life across formats.

The ideal candidate should have:

• 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, thought leadership, or content strategy within technology, media, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading editorial teams and setting strategy at a director level or above.
• Strong background in technology, SaaS, AI, or enterprise software, with the ability to quickly grasp product and platform nuances.
• A proven track record of building high-impact thought leadership that drives audience engagement and business relevance.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional partners including UX, design, marketing operations, and executive leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $180,200 - $281,000, 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.