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.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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; 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; 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

Nice to have

MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred; Experience working across global organizations, customer-facing environments and technology ecosystems is highly desirable