Head of Services Innovation

About BCSS Service Delivery
Ericsson Business Area Cloud Software & Services (BCSS) enables Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and enterprises to accelerate digital transformation through Cloud Native Platforms, 5G Core, OSS/BSS, AI-driven Operations, Automation, Service Orchestration, Managed Services and Systems Integration. The Service Delivery organization is responsible for bringing these capabilities to market through innovative service offerings, customer-centric delivery models, and outcome-based engagements. As the telecommunications industry evolves toward autonomous networks, programmable networks, API ecosystems, AI-native operations and platform-based business models, BCSS continues to expand its services portfolio to unlock new customer value and growth opportunities. The organization works closely with customers, technology partners, hyperscalers and industry ecosystems to shape the next generation of services. Innovation in services is a critical enabler of Ericsson's long-term growth, differentiation, and market leadership.
About this Opportunity - Head of Services Innovation
As Head of Services Innovation, you will serve as a high-impact catalyst for identifying, incubating, and accelerating the next generation of services opportunities across BCSS. Operating with an outside-in perspective, you will continuously explore emerging market trends, customer challenges, technology disruptions, and ecosystem opportunities to define what services Ericsson should build and why. You will work upstream of execution, shaping strategic service propositions, operating models, and new business opportunities before they enter mainstream delivery organizations. This role requires a combination of strategic thinking, business development, innovation leadership, and ecosystem engagement to drive future growth. The role will focus & function on horizontal services (non-product-near) across the solution areas.
What You Will Do

• Identify and develop new services growth opportunities aligned with BCSS strategic priorities, market evolution, and customer transformation needs.
• Continuously scan market trends, industry disruptions, emerging technologies, competitor moves and customer expectations to uncover new business opportunities.
• Define future service propositions, business models, commercial frameworks, and go-to-market concepts that create competitive differentiation for Ericsson.
• Drive innovation across areas such as AI-powered operations, Autonomous Networks, 5G Advanced, Network APIs, Cloud Native transformation, Enterprise Connectivity, OSS/BSS modernization, Digital Operations, and platform-based services.
• Work closely with customers, industry analysts, hyperscalers, technology vendors, startups, and ecosystem partners to co-create innovative service concepts and business opportunities.
• Lead incubation activities including concept development, business case creation, value proposition design, proof-of-concept definition, and pilot engagement models.
• Collaborate with Strategy organizations to ensure innovation priorities align with Ericsson's long-term growth ambitions, market positioning, and investment focus areas.
• Partner with Service Engineering & Technology (SET), Product Organizations and Service Delivery teams to transition validated concepts into scalable offerings while maintaining independence from delivery execution.
• Challenge existing business paradigms and drive cross-functional experimentation to identify disruptive opportunities and transformational growth avenues.
• Act as a thought leader and trusted advisor to senior executives, customers and internal stakeholders on future industry trends and service innovation opportunities.

What You Will Bring

• Proven track record in business development, innovation management, strategic consulting, portfolio development, or technology-driven growth initiatives.
• Deep understanding of telecommunications, cloud software, digital transformation, managed services, and emerging technology ecosystems.
• Strong knowledge of industry domains including 5G Core, OSS/BSS, Cloud Native Platforms, AI/ML, Network Automation, APIs, Enterprise Services and Digital Operations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify unmet market needs and convert them into commercially viable service propositions and growth opportunities.
• Experience engaging with customers, ecosystem partners, startups, hyperscalers and industry stakeholders to co-create innovative solutions.
• Strong commercial acumen with expertise in business case development, value realization, service monetization, and go-to-market strategy.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across matrix organizations without direct authority and drive alignment around innovation priorities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for experimentation, disruption and creating new business opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

• 15-20+ years of experience in telecommunications, ICT, cloud software, consulting, technology strategy, innovation, business development, or related fields.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in senior leadership, innovation, strategy, portfolio management, or growth-focused roles.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Information Technology or Business Administration.
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Experience working across global organizations, customer-facing environments and technology ecosystems is highly desirable.

Soft Skills

• Strategic & Future-Oriented Thinking
• Innovation Leadership & Creative Problem Solving
• Business Development & Opportunity Identification
• Executive Influencing & Stakeholder Management
• Ecosystem Collaboration & Partner Engagement
• Customer Centricity & Market Insight
• Entrepreneurial Mindset & Bias for Action
• Exceptional Communication and Storytelling Skills

Location
The role may be based in any Ericsson strategic hub subject to business requirements. Extensive collaboration across global stakeholders, customers, partners, and industry ecosystems is expected. Periodic international travel may be required.
Reporting Line: Head of BCSS Service Delivery
Leadership Level: L3 Leadership
All academic credentials must be from recognized and accredited institutions and are further subject to verification.
Why join Ericsson?At Ericsson, you'll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what's possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world's toughest problems. You'll be challenged, but you won't be alone. You'll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next.
What happens once you apply? Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like.Encouraging a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values at Ericsson, that's why we champion it in everything we do. We truly believe that by collaborating with people with different experiences we drive innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. learn more.
Primary country and city: India (IN) || Bangalore
Req ID: 787684