Leading at Cognizant

This is a Leadership role at Cognizant. We believe how you lead is as important as what you deliver. Cognizant leaders at every level: Drive our business strategy and inspire teams around our future. Live the leadership behaviors, leading themselves, others and the business. Uphold our Values, role modeling them in every action and decision. Nurture our people and culture, creating a workplace where all can thrive.

At Cognizant, leadership transcends titles and is embodied in actions and behaviors. We empower our leaders at every level to drive business strategy, inspire teams, uphold our values, and foster an inclusive culture.

About the role

As an AI Field CTO and Technology Strategy Leader, you will serve as the executive technology spokesperson and technology champion for Cognizant’s AI market unit, driving exponential growth and establishing the firm as a recognized leader in AI. You will be a valued member of the team, working collaboratively with cross‑functional internal stakeholders, partners, and clients to define and shape Cognizant’s AI technology strategy and offerings. In this role, you will cultivate strategic partner relationships, engage industry advisors and experts, and create a buzz about Cognizant’s AI capabilities unlocking large deal opportunities with new and existing clients, expanding the scope of potential opportunities, and championing the technical solutioning and integration of large pursuits to ensure higher success rates.

In this role, you will:

Lead Strategic Advisory and Thought Leadership

• Study and understand key technology trends, capabilities, and priorities across the AI Landscape.

• Share thought-leadership and deep industry knowledge with C-level staff, architects, senior leaders, and prospects at industry conferences, user groups, and partner events

• Collaborate with external entities like industry and sourcing analysts, advisors, consulting firms, design agencies, and ecosystem partners particularly hyper scalers and platform firms to identify and shape client opportunities

• Identify and champion tech debt elimination and modernization with client technology leaders to create value and enable transformation

Enterprise Architecture and Platform Strategy:

• Identify Partners suitable for building Cognizant use cases on AI

• Connect regularly with partners to understand their offerings and how they apply across Cognizant’s industry segments.

• Educate the sales organization on key components, trends, and capabilities of AI technologies

• Primary leadership interface with the delivery components of the AI business unit for Cognizant.

Customer Advocacy and Influence:

• Champion AI technology choices and tradeoffs for clients as they contemplate implementing Cognizant recommended solutions.

• Collaborate with the market commercial and sales teams, during the sales cycle.

• Communicate with senior management team at appropriate junctures during the pursuit and facilitates strategic pursuit decisions to improve win probability

• Strategize solution definition and solution defense along with extended Cognizant teams to increase pursuit success

Team Leadership and Transformation:

• Build a team of high-performing Distinguished Sales Engineers and lead them to build solutions that drive differentiation for Cognizant.

• Lead a team of high-performing individuals to build

• Continuous coaching and sponsoring of sales engineering leaders ensuring career discussions and growth

Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead, which means operating with Personal Leadership (building trust, collaboration, and inclusion), Organizational Leadership (driving vision and purpose, demonstrating a strategic and enterprise mindset, and creating and communicating a bold direction that inspires purpose), and Business Leadership (exemplifying client focus, managing ambiguity with accountability and results, and operating with financial acumen)

What you need to have to be considered

· CIO/CTO level candidate who has experience engaging, advising, and/or directly leading complex technology organizations including C-suite interaction

· Proven strong functional and technology background and ability to deliver technology transformation in Fortune 500 organizations

· Minimum of 20+ years of industry experience in a Field Sales Engineering Role in a Hyperscaler or a Software company. CTO of an industry segment or a service in line in a consulting firm will also be considered.

· Experience of leading diverse teams, experience of cultivating and collaborating in a multi-cultural environment

· Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business

· The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The right Thing, & Own It

These will help you succeed

· Trusted CIO/CTO partner providing strategic AI guidance, modernization leadership, and executive‑level thought leadership

· Proven track record delivering large‑scale AI and technology transformations across complex enterprise environments

· 20+ years of experience across hyperscalers, enterprise software, or consulting shaping AI use cases through strong partner ecosystems

· Leads AI architecture and platform strategy while enabling sales and delivery teams to drive differentiated, scalable solutions

· Builds and mentors high‑performing, diverse technical teams and drives solution definition and deal success in complex pursuits

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until March 17, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $300,000 - $370,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

· Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

· Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

· 401(k) plan and contributions

· Long-term/Short-term Disability

· Paid Parental Leave

· Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

The Cognizant community:
We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

About us:
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer:
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.