Senior Manager Of Marketing Optimization

Senior Program/Project Manager, Marketing Operations PMO

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.

We are seeking a highly capable and strategic Senior Program/Project Manager to join our Marketing Operations PMO, with a dedicated focus on supporting our VP of Communications. This is a critical role for an experienced program and project manager who can anticipate needs, bring clarity to complexity, and drive high-impact initiatives across Marketing and Communications. This role will report directly to the Director of PMO and operate as a versatile, senior-level IC who can flex across approaches (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid) and ensure smooth execution of initiatives that cut across functions. The ideal candidate is equal parts strategist and operator: someone who can zoom out to connect dots across multiple workstreams and zoom in to manage tactical execution, risks, and dependencies. This role will also ensure traffic management and executional details are handled with rigor.

The main responsibilities are:

• Serve as a strategic partner to the VP of Communications, anticipating needs and proactively structuring programs to ensure clarity, alignment, and smooth execution.
• Independently lead high-visibility, complex initiatives across Marketing and Communications — balancing multiple stakeholders, shifting priorities, and evolving requirements.
• Translate ambiguous goals into clear project plans, artifacts, and deliverables — leveraging a mix of Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid methods as needed.
• Ensure detailed project and traffic management support, including timelines, status tracking, and coordination of deliverables.
• Drive stakeholder communications: surface risks, track dependencies, manage expectations, and keep cross-functional teams aligned.
• Create and maintain project documentation (roadmaps, timelines, retrospectives, readouts) that adheres to PMO standards while being tailored to the needs of the initiative.
• Provide program-level visibility and status updates to leadership, enabling effective decision-making and resource prioritization.
• Model high standards of ownership, judgment, and professionalism, contributing to a culture of trust, transparency, and shared accountability.

What we look for in a candidate:

• 8+ years of experience managing large, complex, cross-functional programs/projects in fast-paced environments.
• Proven ability to operate as a senior program manager, not just a coordinator — driving clarity and outcomes even when details are fuzzy.
• Demonstrated success in managing up and working with leaders at the executive level.
• Experience flexing across Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches, with the discernment to know what toolset is right for each initiative.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to anticipate needs, influence without authority, and navigate complex communication landscapes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience briefing and aligning executives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-stakes priorities simultaneously while keeping a strategic lens.
• Experience with project management tools (Jira, Smartsheet, Microsoft Planner, etc.) to drive visibility and accountability.
• Bonus: PMP, SAFe, or other project/program leadership certifications.

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: $129,639 - $172,852 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

$136,121 - $181,494 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$142,603 - $190,137 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.

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.