CTO for MLEU, Strategic Engagement Executive

MLEU, CTO role:

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 a CTO of MLEU you will be a valued member of the team and work collaboratively with key stakeholders and clients.

In this role, you will:

Report to head of the Business Unit. As a CTO for the sector, you will be responsible for creating and executing a focused proactive market strategy for Cognizant’s services and solutions that enable our clients to modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they stay ahead in a fast-changing world.

• As CTO for the Manufacturing division within the MLEU sector, you will be the strategic technology leader driving Cognizant’s AI-powered transformation agenda across North America.
• This role is responsible for shaping and executing a data-driven strategy that enables clients to unlock operational efficiency, accelerate innovation, and build resilient, intelligent enterprises. You’ll lead with vision, collaborate across service lines, and elevate Cognizant’s presence in the industrial and diversified manufacturing space.
• Explore possible new assets for acquisition to build future capability
• Engage with analysts/advisors to socialize and Credentialize Cognizant Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy and Utilities credentials and GTM'
• 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

• Develop and execute a forward-looking technology strategy leveraging AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to transform client operations
• Drive profitable growth through identification and closure of new, renewal, and expansion opportunities
• Architect data-centric solutions that enable predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and intelligent automation
• Collaborate with delivery, operations, and finance teams to monitor and optimize account performance metrics
• Lead senior-level client engagements, shaping digital transformation roadmaps and aligning technology investments with business outcomes
• Partner with Cognizant’s innovation hubs and service lines to co-create scalable solutions for manufacturing clients
• Cultivate executive relationships with client decision-makers and influencers to drive strategic alignment
• Ensure execution excellence and customer satisfaction across all revenue portfolios
• Leverage Cognizant’s ecosystem of AI and cloud partners to accelerate solution delivery and market differentiation
• Champion thought leadership and represent Cognizant at industry forums, client events, and strategic roundtables
• Drive visibility and influence within the manufacturing sector through strategic storytelling, data-backed insights, and innovation showcases

• 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

This will help you succeed

• Responsible for driving AI strategy across Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy and Utilities

• Socializing strategy with clients and tracking key outcomes/metrics from engagements.

• Drive key customer forums

• Build partnerships/alliance ecosystem around AI

• Assist in driving broader MLEU Strategy and partnerships

Work model –

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

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.

The annual salary for this position is between $172,000 - $317,000 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.