Manager Network Planning Access and Solutions

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities. At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter. This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today. The Role The Manager of Strategic Network Access & Solutions leads the strategic vision of Lumen’s network evolution to meet the growing demand for AI and datacenter capacity. This function is responsible for linking network assets and capabilities into an operational plan, executing against monetization and growth objectives while steering the company towards its strategic priorities. This leader will collaborate with business units across Lumen to create new, innovative ways to show up in the market. The role is responsible for various demand ingestion points and modeling into a complete national network plan with operational recommendations including network investment strategies and customer targeting. This leader is highly engaged in visualizing and simplifying the complex principles of the network into straightforward business recommendations for senior leaders. This role will also be an internal influence of AI excellence across the business, leveraging analytics and insights to maximize value and efficiency cross-departmentally. This includes the growth and advancement of geospatial analytics and visualizations. The Main Responsibilities Publish and maintain multi-year network expansion and investment plan that aligns to strategic priorities. Facilitate joint-customer planning, linking customer requirements and long term capacity needs to Lumen’s connectivity strategy. Mastery of AI compute landscape and how workloads traverse the network transport layer to support Hyperscaler, Neo Cloud, Large Enterprise and Datacenter Operator customer segments. Maintain Lumen’s market leadership in network connectivity to datacenters and hyperscalers, maintaining direct connections the market as it exponentially expands. Expand Lumen’s market share in datacenter market via customer targeting, network architecture enhancement and product enablement. Influence internal and external parties on optimal ways to organize, align, and show up in the market to monetize AI capabilities and solve customer needs and demand. Identify strategic market areas for investment, aligned to customer acquisition and sales go-to-market strategies. Guide data analytics teams to develop material business insights and conclusions using AI/LLM/ML modeling. Lead AI innovation across the Network Planning department by collaborating with business leaders to identify opportunities to accelerate planning activities with data driven modeling and recommendations. Optimization of large customer deals by identifying investment synergies and cost reduction strategies to increase financial flexibility. Partner with business units to prescribe network strategies to Sales, Product, and go-to-market commercial offerings. Partner with peer planning departments to assist in simplifying the network story into easy to consume business milestones and decision points. Build and mentor a high-performing team that will influence and drive the strategic direction Lumen using a network and asset lean. Facilitate team growth and adoption of emerging technologies including new GIS & AI/ /ML techniques. What We Look For in a Candidate Master’s degree in Engineering, Compute Science, Business, or related field or equivalent education and experience. 8+ years of relevant experience in Network Planning. 3+ years of leadership experience. Ability to quickly establish credibility and rapport with a broad range of executives and constituencies. Results oriented with a demonstrated track record of success in both tactical and strategic goals and priorities. Exceptional interpretation of data and corresponding analysis with the ability to recommend enhancements that drive deeper business insights. Must-Have Skills & Experience: Knowledge of AI compute architectures and the various fiber network mesh and transport capabilities needed to support both AI training, inference and extension to the edge. Knowledge of AI/ML modeling techniques and mechanisms to drive business insights and outcomes. Ability to quickly identify market opportunities based on changing customer demand, technology landscape, and competitor activity. Strong background in translating data-oriented insights into operational action plans. Ability to manage and execute changing strategic priorities. Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, with experience managing and mentoring cross-functional teams. Proven track record of partnering with Product, Sales, and Partner teams to develop and operationalize revenue-generating initiatives. Understanding of fiber network architectures, critical network infrastructure, and fiber construction. 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 $105,786 - $141,047 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 WY $111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI $116,364 - $155,152 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA 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. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process. Learn more about Lumen's: Benefits Bonus Structure #LI-Remote Requisition #: 342394 Life at Lumen Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes. Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win. To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit: https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen Background Screening If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 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. Privacy Notice Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data. To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit: https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice Disclaimer The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. 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