ServiceNow

Staff FinOps AI Governance Lead

ServiceNow • $176K — $308K *
Santa Clara, CA 95051In-Person
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
2 weeks ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in AI cost management and data-driven governance.
  • Strong knowledge of LLM pricing, multi-cloud AI services, and cost optimization strategies.
  • Proficient in SQL and/or Python for data analysis, KPI framework development, and data visualization.
  • Hands-on experience with multi-cloud cost governance and management practices across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
  • Excellent communication skills, particularly in delivering presentations to VP-level stakeholders.
  • Self-motivated and organized, capable of managing multiple projects in a fast-paced setting.
  • Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Finance, or Engineering.

Responsibilities

  • Define and monitor AI cost and usage KPIs to identify inefficiencies.
  • Create an anomaly detection framework for high AI usage across teams.
  • Evaluate and propose cost-saving opportunities through various optimization strategies.
  • Implement governance controls to prevent recurrence of identified cost anomalies.
  • Establish AI spending guardrails in coordination with cloud providers and set up budgeting structures.
  • Lead the AI FinOps governance program across engineering and finance functions.
  • Prepare VP-level reports on AI expenditure trends and optimization initiatives.

Benefits

  • Health plans including flexible spending accounts.
  • 401(k) Plan with company match.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
  • Matching donation program.
  • Flexible time-off policies and family leave options.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Team

Join FinOps Governance team that is part of the Global Cloud Services organization.

You'll apply your expertise in AI cost management and data-driven optimization to lead programs that bring accountability and control to ServiceNow's AI investments. Working closely with engineering teams building AI-powered skills and experiences, cloud finance leadership, and provider relationships with Azure, AWS, GCP, Anthropic and OpenAI, you'll be the connective tissue between technical usage and financial discipline.

About the role

We are looking for a Staff FinOps AI Governance Lead to drive financial accountability and optimization across ServiceNow's AI spend. This senior individual contributor role combines deep AI infrastructure literacy, data-driven governance, and cross-functional program leadership to ensure our AI investments are managed with the same rigor as our cloud infrastructure. The ideal candidate understands the economics of LLMs as well as they understand engineering and will thrive operating independently while engaging VP-level stakeholders with confidence and clarity.

What you get to do in this role:
  • Define, track, and systematically review AI cost and usage KPIs; identify anomalies and outliers that signal potential waste, misuse, or optimization opportunities.
  • Design and operate an anomaly detection framework to surface suspiciously high AI usage across models and skill teams, and engage engineering collaboratively to investigate and remediate.
  • Quantify, prioritize, and propose cost optimization opportunities-evaluating levers such as PTU vs. pay-as-you-go trade-offs, model tiering, context reduction, and caching-and drive them to measurable outcomes.
  • Design preventive governance controls so that cost anomalies and overruns, once identified, are systematically prevented from recurring.
  • Define and implement AI spend guardrails in coordination with cloud and LLM providers: set up budgets, configure alerts, manage commitment structures, and ensure contractual rate accuracy.
  • Coordinate the AI FinOps governance program across engineering, finance, and cloud provider relationships-maintaining a clear operating model with documented standards and a regular review cadence.
  • Prepare and deliver VP-level reporting and presentations on AI cost trends, optimization progress, and forward-looking forecasts, translating technical data into clear financial narratives.
  • Operate as a self-starter and self-sufficient program owner: define scope, manage stakeholders, and drive workstreams to completion with minimal direction.


Qualifications

To be successful in this role you have:
  • Strong working knowledge of LLM pricing models, multi-cloud AI services (AWS Bedrock, Azure OpenAI, GCP Vertex AI), and AI cost optimization levers.
  • Proficiency in data analysis using SQL and/or Python to build KPI frameworks, identify usage anomalies, and communicate findings through data visualization.
  • Hands-on experience with multi-cloud cost governance across AWS, Azure, and GCP, including budget management, alerting, tagging, and billing API familiarity.
  • Proven cross-functional collaboration skills with engineering teams-ability to communicate cost impact, influence technical decisions, and drive efficiency improvements.
  • Outstanding communication and executive presentation skills; comfortable preparing and delivering briefings to VP-level audiences on complex technical and financial topics.
  • Self-directed and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, Mathematics, or related).

Nice to have:
  • Experience with AI optimization techniques: model routing strategies, prompt engineering, context length management, batch inference, and caching.
  • Familiarity with provider-level budget and commitment tools: Azure Cost Management, AWS Budgets, GCP Billing controls, and provider credit management.
  • Understanding of agentic AI cost patterns including per-agent token attribution, multi-agent cost multiplication, and RAG workflow cost implications.
  • Experience with GenAI gateway or LLM proxy platforms for token metering, rate limiting, and cost attribution.
  • Prior involvement with FinOps Foundation working groups or industry communities on AI cost management standards.

JV20

For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $176,100 - $308,200, 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.

Additional Information

Work Personas

We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow provides cloud-based solutions that define, structure, manage, and automate services for enterprise operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and other countries. The company offers service management solutions, including incident, problem, change, request, and cost management as well as service catalogs; and IT, HR, facilities, and field service management solutions. It also provides IT operations management solutions covering service mapping, delivery, and assurance solutions; business management solutions such as financial management, project portfolio suite, vendor performance management, and performance analytics as well as governance, risk, and compliance; and application development services.

ServiceNow Careers

Join the dynamic team at ServiceNow, a global leader in digital workflow solutions, where innovation and leadership converge to shape the future of work. At ServiceNow, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for professional growth and a chance to be part of a culture that values diversity, creativity, and continuous learning.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career journey with ServiceNow and contribute to the world’s leading enterprises' digital transformation. Our team is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that improve how people work. With ServiceNow, you will use your skills to impact businesses and industries profoundly, driving efficiency and innovation.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

ServiceNow is not just another technology company. We are a team that thrives on diversity and leadership, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes growth and development. Our commitment to diversity training ensures that every team member can achieve their potential.

Innovative Work

ServiceNow is home to more than 10,000 dedicated professionals who lead the charge in digital workflows and enterprise solutions. As part of our team, you will engage in projects that merge technology with practical applications, creating revolutionary products that advance how services are delivered and managed.

Career Development

At ServiceNow, your career trajectory is filled with boundless opportunities. We support your growth with robust training programs, leadership development courses, and access to global challenges. Whether you are looking for an internship, full-time position, or leadership role, ServiceNow equips you with the tools to excel.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at ServiceNow means being part of a community that values teamwork and innovation. Our collaborative environment encourages networking and sharing ideas, making our workplace vibrant and dynamic. The benefits of joining ServiceNow extend beyond comprehensive health and wellness; they include fostering professional connections and friendships that last a lifetime.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, ServiceNow offers a range of employment options to suit your career goals. From internships that provide real-world experience to full-time positions that challenge you to leverage your expertise, we are committed to hiring the best talent.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At ServiceNow, we look for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Explore the possibilities that await you at a company that is committed to your professional success.

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ServiceNow Careers

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Learn more about ServiceNow
Size
16,881 employees
Market Cap
$76.5 billion
Industry
Information Technology
Net Income
$118.5 million
Founded
2004
5 Year Trend
+33.5%
Revenue
$4.5 billion
NASDAQ
NOW
* Ladders Estimates

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