Program Leader – Strategic Account Program
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Ciena is the global leader in high-speed connectivity. This high‑impact role leads a strategically important, one‑time internal program that supports evolving engagement and operating models. The Program Leader serves as the central point of orchestration across Sales and multiple internal functions, establishing the program structure, governance, and execution rhythm required to deliver a complex initiative with clarity, alignment, and control.
How you will make an impact:
Lead a strategic program from initiation through close, driving structured execution across multiple internal teams to meet program goals and timelines
Establish and run the program operating model, including cadence, governance forums, decision frameworks, and escalation paths
Coordinate closely with Sales, Commercial, Legal, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Software and Services Sales, and Sales Engineering to manage interdependencies and execution readiness
Provide early identification and transparent management of operational, commercial, and legal risks associated with the program
Maintain clear documentation, approvals, and audit trails in partnership with Legal and Commercial stakeholders
Deliver executive‑ready program updates, issue tracking, and dependency visibility to support timely decision‑making
Enable consistent and compliant execution of a complex, one‑time strategic initiative through disciplined program management
The must haves:
8+ years of program or project management experience within technology, telecom, or networking‑driven organizations
Demonstrated success managing complex, cross‑functional initiatives spanning Sales, Commercial, Legal, and Operations functions
Strong understanding of sales operations, internal governance models, and commercial engagement workflows
Proven ability to establish program infrastructure, manage dependencies, and drive execution in ambiguous environments
Strong stakeholder management, facilitation, and communication skills with senior leadership exposure
Experience operating effectively within global, matrixed organizations
Nice to haves:
Experience supporting Sales‑led strategic initiatives or non‑standard internal programs
Background in building program infrastructure for one‑time or high‑complexity initiatives
Program or project management certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), or PRINCE2
Familiarity with global operating models and complex internal approval structures
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.