SR DIR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Sr. Director, Strategic Initiatives

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress. We're looking for top-tier talent and offer the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Join us as we digitally connect the world and shape the future.

The Role

The Sr. Director, Strategic Initiatives is responsible for driving operational excellence and strategic alignment across the CTO's org and Lumen. In this role, you will lead the development and implementation of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, champion the adoption of the Product Development Methodology, and ensures strong alignment between product and engineering commitments through robust Say / Do tracking. With a focus on cross-functional collaboration, this leader plays a critical role in scaling product operations, enhancing delivery discipline, and executing high-impact initiatives that support the company's growth and innovation goals.

The Main Responsibilities

Design and implement scalable Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and New Product Introduction (NPI) frameworks across CTO and Lumen.

Establish best practices and governance models to ensure consistent execution and continuous improvement across product teams.

Champion the Product Development Methodology across the organization, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational capabilities.

Partner with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to embed methodology principles into daily workflows and decision-making processes.

Develop and manage a robust Say / Do tracking system to ensure commitments made by product and engineering teams are met with high fidelity.

Facilitate regular reviews and retrospectives to identify gaps, drive accountability, and foster a culture of delivery excellence.

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights, recommendations, and progress updates on key initiatives.

Lead high-impact, cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through execution, ensuring alignment with company objectives and measurable outcomes.

Drive change management efforts to support the adoption of new processes, tools, and methodologies.

Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization to ensure transparency, alignment, and engagement.

What We Look For in a Candidate

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

12+ years of experience in product operations, program management, or strategic initiatives, preferably in a technology or SaaS environment.

Deep understanding of PLM, NPI, and product development methodologies.

Proven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives and driving operational excellence.

Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors. Location Based Pay Ranges : $171,447 - $228,596 in these states : AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WI, WV, and WY. $180,020 - $240,026 in these states : CO, HI, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, OR, and RI. $188,592 - $251,456 in these states : AK, CA, CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, TX, VA, and WA. Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, "protected statuses"). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.