Lumen is the trusted network for AI. We're transforming how businesses connect, secure, and scale in an AI-driven world.
By connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly, we help organizations move faster and unlock what's next.
At Lumen, people power progress. Our culture is built on teamwork, trust, and transparency, giving you the flexibility, support, and opportunity to make a lasting impact. We're looking for top-tier talent ready to take on the challenge. Join us in building the future.
The Role
The Director of Network Development Programs is accountable for designing, governing, and executing a disciplined, portfolio-based network development investment engine that unlocks high-return network expansion and accelerates revenue realization. This role owns the full lifecycle of Network Development investments-from strategic opportunity identification and capital decisioning through execution readiness and solution-led Go-to-Market alignment .
This leader serves as the single-threaded owner for Network Development investments, ensuring capital deployment is tightly aligned with demand, time-to-market, and financial returns. A core mandate of the role is to shift the organization from build-led expansion to solution-led GTM , enabling Sales and Marketing to pre-position demand, build funnel early, and close revenue as capacity comes online.
Location
This is a work from home position within the U.S.
The Main Responsibilities
Network Development Investment Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
Establish and operate a repeatable, tranche-gated Network Development investment framework , shifting the organization from opportunistic capital decisions to a disciplined portfolio approach aligned to IRR, strategic adjacency, and capital efficiency.
Own the build vs. lease vs. defer decision framework , ensuring consistent, fact-based prioritization of Network Development opportunities across data centers, AI zones, and priority metros.
Integrate demand signals, TAM, capacity models, and ROI into a unified Network Development investment view that informs SLT investment decisions and long-range planning.
Execution Enablement & Capital Discipline
Stand up an end-to-end Network Development execution engine that moves investments predictably from approval to customer-ready, accelerating time-to-revenue while controlling risk.
Partner with Network Planning, Engineering, Construction, and Operations to ensure execution readiness (pre-engineering, routing, permitting, staffing) before capital release.
Sequence capital and resources across investment tranches to maintain velocity while protecting IRR and minimizing stranded capital exposure.
Own recurring program financials, including OpEx management, capital forecasting, and budget adherence .
Go-to-Market (GTM) Enablement & Revenue Acceleration
Align Greenfield investment timing with solution-led GTM motions , enabling Sales and Marketing to engage customers ahead of network activation.
Partner with Sales, Marketing, Product, and Finance to pre-position demand , build pipeline, and align commercial strategies to planned network enablement.
Ensure GTM readiness is embedded in the Network Development operating model, shifting the organization from asset-first rollouts to customer-anchored solutions .
Enable early customer engagement and commercial prioritization that converts build timelines into revenue acceleration windows .
Governance, Metrics & Executive Communication
Own the Network Development governance model , including weekly execution governance, monthly investment reviews, and quarterly SLT updates focused on value delivery, risk posture, and return realization.
Define, baseline, and report phase-based KPIs (Establish, Enable, Scale) , including IRR adherence, time-to-decision, execution readiness scores, capital variance, capacity utilization, and time-to-revenue.
Serve as a senior representative for Network Development strategy with internal partners and limited external stakeholders, presenting to multiple layers of leadership with clarity and credibility.
What We Look For in a Candidate
Education & Experience
MBA preferred ; Bachelor's degree required (Engineering, Business, Finance, or related field).
Minimum 10 years of Telecommunications Planning experience required , with demonstrated leadership across complex network environments.
Proven experience in capacity planning across complex transport networks , including fiber, core, metro, and data center interconnect environments.
Demonstrated background developing and evaluating highly complex network performance criteria and measurement methods , including statistical calculations.
Demonstrated ability to manage a recurring OpEx budget and align capital investments to long-range financial plans.
Leadership, Influence & Collaboration
Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across organizational boundaries , aligning Strategy, Planning, Engineering, Finance, Sales, and Operations.
Proven effectiveness working within diverse, cross-functional teams and matrixed organizations.
Exhibited ability to communicate and present to multiple layers of internal and external organizations , including senior executives.
High integrity with strong business ethics and sound judgment in capital and investment decisioning.
Skills & Capabilities
Strong business acumen with a clear understanding of how network investments translate into revenue, margin, and competitive advantage .
Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to focus and deliver proactively in a dynamic, fast-paced, multi-tasking environment .
Business process experience desired, including designing repeatable operating models, governance forums, and KPI frameworks .
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, capable of translating complexity into executive-ready insights.
Strong PC skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint .
Team-oriented leader with a passion to succeed , bias for action, and commitment to outcomes.
Additional Requirements
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
$152,066 - $202,755 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
$159,670 - $212,893 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
$167,273 - $223,031 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:
#LI-Remote
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Requisition #: 341985
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 th
