Head of Autonomous Networks

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About this opportunity
We are hiring a people-first delivery leader to head the Autonomous Networks team, driving automation, AI-enabled operations, and closed-loop optimization across customer networks. You will lead solution architects, data/AI specialists, and transformation leads to accelerate CSPs' journey toward Level 4 autonomous operations-addressing margin pressure, operational complexity, and the need for scalable, software-driven performance.
As a Service Delivery Line Manager, you will act according to the Ericsson Leadership Framework, align to global Service Delivery processes, methods, tools, and strategies, and ensure work is executed within E+OHS requirements. You will support services sales directly/indirectly via unit resources, steward compliance with group/legal/financial directives, data security & privacy, and E+OHS, and promote our values, ethics, and culture to deliver excellent performance.
In addition, the role will oversee Customer Support services related to automated network operations, ensuring high-quality incident management, service assurance, and operational stability. The team will drive the evolution from traditional support models toward AI-assisted and autonomous operations, improving network reliability, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
What you will do
• People & leadership

• Lead, develop, and motivate a cross-functional team (architects, data/AI, transformation) to deliver automation at scale; build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Drive performance management with clear KPI/OKR/SLA targets, regular reviews, coaching, and constructive feedback.
• Conduct competence management to close skill gaps in AI/ML, orchestration, and automation operations.

• Strategy & transformation

• Define the autonomous operations strategy and customer priorities; select lighthouse use cases that deliver tangible impact (e.g., closed-loop assurance, energy optimization, zero-touch provisioning).
• Orchestrate cross-functional alignment with sales, solutioning, product, supply, finance, and partners to remove bottlenecks and scale repeatable solutions.
• Champion adoption of global Service Delivery processes, models, and tools; standardize ways of working and accelerate change.

• Delivery & governance

• Own E2E delivery of automation programs across RAN/Core/OSS, from design and integration through acceptance and operations; ensure first-time-right quality and schedule adherence.
• Establish rigorous governance, risk, and change control; manage ARPs/ASPs and internal resources for predictable outcomes.
• Ensure service delivery execution that meets defined KPI/OKR/SLA targets and elevates customer satisfaction.
• Customer Support & Service Assurance
  Ensure high-quality Customer Support delivery including service assurance, incident management, and operational stability across customer networks. Drive the integration of automation and AI into support operations to improve fault resolution speed, service quality, and operational efficiency.

• Financial & commercial

• Manage unit P&L and budgets; drive cost control, productivity, and gross-margin improvement via scope control, automation reuse, and efficiency levers.
• Contribute to services sales with value cases, bid inputs, and delivery commitments that convert sales into scalable launches.
• Expand Customer Support business by introducing automation-driven service models, improving service efficiency, and creating scalable support offerings that strengthen long-term customer relationships and recurring service revenue.

• Customer & stakeholder

• Engage C-level stakeholders with clear delivery status, risks, and ROI stories; influence decisions and secure long-term trust.
• Build ecosystem partnerships to accelerate automation outcomes and time-to-value.

• Compliance, security & E+OHS

• Ensure compliance with group directives, legal/financial directives, data security & privacy, and global/local E+OHS; promote health, safety, and well-being to support our Target Zero ambition.

The skills you bring
• Must-haves

• Strong telecom domain knowledge across RAN/Core/OSS and operations; proven leadership of automation/AI-driven transformations.
• Executive-level stakeholder management and communication; ability to influence C-suite decisions.
• Expertise in analytics, orchestration, and closed-loop automation; understanding of ecosystem/partner models.
• Commercial acumen, P&L ownership, and risk management across schedule, cost, quality, subcontractors, and change.
• Experience in service assurance, customer support operations, or managed services delivery within telecom environments.

• Leadership & behaviors

• Ethics and values, collaboration, strategic thinking, adaptability, relationship-building, and decisive leadership.
• Competence management, performance management, delegation, coaching, and team motivation; resilience and perseverance.

• Role skills

• Service resource planning & allocation; performance review; constructive feedback; decision making; impact & influence.
• Ericsson business processes knowledge; sales process support; WLA/SLA management; information security awareness.
• Security, AI literacy, and leading/developing high-performing teams.

• Qualifications & experience

• University degree in Engineering (IT/Telecom) or equivalent experience; MSc/MBA valued.
• Track record delivering automation at scale with clear ROI/OPEX reduction and CSAT improvements.
• Familiarity with local E+OHS requirements (hazard identification, risk assessment, incident reporting); training/awareness preferred.
• Comfort with Ericsson delivery processes, internal tools, and customer-specific workflows.

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: Japan (JP) || Yokohama
Req ID: 781944