Director - Virtualization and Automation

About Lumen
Lumen is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With 450,000 route fiber miles serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure global platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences. Learn more about Lumen’s network, edge cloud, security and communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies.

The Role

This individual is motivated to lead a highly technical, cross-functional team that is hyper focused on executing and operationalizing a path towards an industry-leading customer-obsessed strategy. Focus will be on creating a radically simple and reliable execution engine to win and innovate. We are seeking strategic thinkers, change makers, and highly motivated individuals that are comfortable being uncomfortable as we maximize technology capabilities and boldly innovate in a digital-first, data driven path to premier products, network, and experiences.

As the Director of Virtualization and Automation, you will be responsible for the development and leadership of a team to develop simple, accurate and reliable means to deliver, maintain and trouble shoot an advanced software defined network. Information will drive Data Engineering, insights and Visualization with Machine and Artificial Intelligence. This Director will perform descriptive and diagnostic analytics and evolve to predictive analytics and self-healing actions to support growth and profitability. The individual will work with the Operations teams to develop dashboards and analyze various tactical and strategic business initiatives. This will include the development of statistical models, tools, and the corresponding assumptions which will be used to evaluate the performance of the initiatives along with establishing the appropriate tracking infrastructure and post-mortem analysis and feedback. This position will require the ability to influence groups on new and innovative approaches to solving customer problems.

• 60% Strategy: Responsible for creating the strategic roadmap of network virtualization, software defined networking, rules to create a self-healing network leading to predictive analytics; Maintain deep technical and business knowledge of current industry directions and trends; drive to deliver technology and products in the roadmap on schedule and with the highest quality
• 25% Relationship Building: Partner with Internal and external team members including Network Operations, IT, Product, Engineering, Customer Experience and 3rd party vendors to create a cohesive Data Science community to deliver best in class diagnostic eco-system
• 5% Requirements: Develop and drive operational and data science requirements to create AL/ML business insights to reduce operational expense
• 5% Execute: Deliver best practices and end-to-end process design with a robust understanding of technology solutions and change management to lead large-scale programs.
• 5% Run the Business: Responsible for maintaining automation rules and requirement guidelines in support of the operational cloud configurations.

The Main Responsibilities

• Maniacal focus on a customer -obsessed culture with every team member being comfortable being uncomfortable as bold innovations position Lumen for continue industry-firsts 
• Deliver best practices and end-to-end process design with a robust understanding of technology solutions and change management to lead large-scale programs. 
• Generate and deliver a “digital-only” experience for our customers and employees that reinforces Lumens’ position as the trusted connection to the networked world 
• Responsible for creating the strategic roadmap of network virtualization, software defined networking, rules to create a self-healing network leading to predictive analytics including:
  • Simplify Device Activation and Management  
  • Home Security management
  • WIFI Mesh Network Management
  • Incorporate AL/ML into diagnostic workflow to drive compliance by design rather than process 
  • Create and Manage KPIs and metrics 
  • Data Model standardization for managed CPE devices
• Develop and drive operational and data science requirements to create AL/ML business insights to reduce operational expense
• Responsible for maintaining automation rules and requirement guidelines in support of the operational cloud configurations.
• Partner with Internal and external team members including Network Operations, IT, Product, Engineering, Customer Experience and 3rd party vendors to create a cohesive Data Science community to deliver best in class diagnostic eco-system 
• Oversee multiple, simultaneous digital/technical work streams, liaising with other teams for planning, knowledge management, and standards development that can support scalability and efficiency 
• Support security audits, accreditation, and certification processes for cloud-based system architectures; set quality standards for tools, techniques and methodologies, advising on their application and ensuring compliance
• Maintain deep technical and business knowledge of current industry directions and trends; drive to deliver technology and products in the roadmap on schedule and with the highest quality
• Advise senior leadership in strategic planning to ensure new orchestration technology integrates with existing platforms (DaaS, SOM, etc.) maintaining secure data transmission and real-time availability.
• Provide input on the overall technology plan for the organization, ensuring specific technologies integrate effectively with other aspects of the network security technical infrastructure; collaborate and work effectively with different technology teams and vendors 
• Provide advice, guidance and direction to carry out plans and procedures; ensure product development process adherence, performance and budget targets are met; provide last tier support for operations and support teams, including root cause analysis and preventative analysis; build configuration management, service provisioning, inventory management, resource management, process automation, visibility and self-service tools; provide training and guidance to other members of the Virtualization team
• Prepares executive-level presentation materials and formal business case documents to present to senior management

What We Look For in a Candidate

•10+ years of work experience. 5+ years of Experience leading data science, AL/ML and analytic teams and analytics development preferably in the telecommunications or technology industry
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university or equivalent work experience
• Critical thinker capable of partnering with others (internally and externally) to invest and innovate
• Leadership – Decisive, pragmatic, and proactive leader who is a self-starter with proven record of building teams, talent and growth planning, and coaching
• Tactical – Collaborative and persuasive leader who is able to create a vision and lead the team to break it into smaller components for execution and business outcome
• Strong analytical skills
o Excellent domain knowledge of the telecom network (GPON, DSL, XGS)
o Excellent domain knowledge of the In-home network (Router,Speedtest,LAN,WLAN)
• Requires understanding of Big Data structures such as Hadoop, Redis, Mango, etc.
• Strong knowledge in existing Cloud Services (GCP, AWS, Azure, IaaS, PaaS, & SaaS)
• Requires understanding of AL/ML model creation

What to Expect Next

Requisition #: 327974

When applying for a position, you may be subject to a background screen (criminal records check, motor vehicle report, and/or drug screen), depending on the requirements for the position. More information on what’s included in these checks can be found in the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns noted in the background screen may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement
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, 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.

NOTE: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Disclaimer
The above job definition information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on changing business needs and conditions.

Salary Range

Salary Min :

115740

Salary Max :

257280

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.

This position is eligible for either short-term incentives or sales compensation. Director and VP positions also are eligible for long-term incentive. To learn more about our bonus structure, you can view additional information here. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have as you move through the selection process.

As part of our comprehensive benefits package, Lumen offers a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle and other benefits and perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. You can learn more by clicking here.

Note: For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions.