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

As a strategic Senior Sales Director, you will play a critical role in accelerating growth, strengthening enterprise customer relationships, and positioning the organization for long-term success. You will lead and develop a high-performing sales team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and consistent execution while empowering team members to achieve and exceed sales objectives.

You will lead strategic account planning and execution to expand existing relationships, penetrate new accounts, and identify opportunities that drive sustainable revenue growth. Working closely with sales leadership and cross-functional partners, you will translate business priorities into actionable account strategies, establish and deepen relationships with key customer decision-makers, and leverage market, industry, and competitive insights to uncover new opportunities and deliver strong business results.

The Main Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of strategic account plans to acquire new business, expand existing customer relationships, and deliver sustainable revenue growth.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key customer leaders and decision-makers across the account base, positioning the organization as a strategic business partner.
• Drive sales performance through disciplined pipeline management, accurate forecasting, financial planning, and execution against established revenue and business objectives.
• Develop targeted sales strategies and campaigns to penetrate priority accounts and markets, identify new opportunities, and strengthen competitive positioning.
• Apply consultative selling and strategic account-planning practices to understand customer needs, develop opportunities, negotiate contracts, and support long-term account growth.
• Monitor industry trends, market conditions, customer priorities, and competitive dynamics to identify opportunities and continuously refine sales strategies.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, solutions-oriented sales team by attracting and retaining talent, setting clear performance expectations, coaching for results, and holding team members accountable.
• Manage resources and expenses effectively, monitor performance against objectives, and implement appropriate actions to maintain financial discipline and achieve business goals.

What We Look For in a Candidate

Minimum

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, including 8+ years of demonstrated technology and telecommunications sales management and sales leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of applicable education and experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, consultative selling, account management, contract negotiation, financial forecasting, and long-range account growth strategies.
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding revenue goals while successfully hiring, leading, developing, and retaining high-performing sales teams.
• Demonstrated leadership, people-management, coaching, and mentoring capabilities in a results-driven sales environment.

Preferred

• 12+ years of relevant experience, including 3 to 5 years of experience at the director level.
• Strong financial and business acumen with experience contributing to growth strategy, account planning, forecasting, territory planning, and expense management.
• Demonstrated ability to build influential relationships with senior stakeholders across complex enterprise accounts.
• Strong knowledge of industry trends, competitive dynamics, and enterprise customer needs.
• Proven ability to lead through change, drive accountability, and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.

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 $163,842 - $218,453 in these states: CO $171,639 - $228,852 in these states: CA 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.

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Learn more about Lumen's: Benefits Bonus Structure

What to Expect Next

Requisition #: 344342

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.

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI-powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through one of the world’s most expansive fiber networks. We enable secure, high-performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

Everything we do at Lumen takes advantage of our network strength. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, and managed service capabilities, we meet our customers’ needs today and as they build the future.