Senior Director Technology Strategy

Ciena is committed to our people-first philosophy. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a personalized and flexible work environment that empowers an individual’s passions, growth, wellbeing and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

Senior Director, Technology Strategy

How You Will Contribute:

Communication networks are undergoing fundamental architectural change as they restructure in support of data center expansion for cloud and services based on Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML). Networking and data center fabric systems are being redefined as connectivity becomes closely integrated with computing and storage.  Routing and Ethernet switching solutions are converging with the optical networking layer and technologies for interconnection are increasingly consumed as pluggable modules, disaggregated components, and systems-on-a-chip. Global disruption caused by AI/ML is creating new business opportunities across traditional and non-traditional networking markets. 

As part of the Corporate Strategy organization, the Senior Director, Technology Strategy will play a leading role in helping Ciena to develop and execute on a multi-faceted strategy related to expanding the company’s addressable market opportunity for connectivity solutions in support of evolving AI/ML markets inside and outside the data center.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Facilitate the development and execution of a long-term corporate strategy to grow and accelerate the company’s business related to AI/ML.
• Develop and leverage an external network of industry leaders, customers, analysts, and peers to learn about and influence connectivity strategies for both networks and data center fabrics evolving from AI/ML disruption; proactively stimulate and drive idea flow; remain aware of industry developments; and perform forward-thinking analyses about opportunities and risks.
• Partner with internal functions (PLM, R&D, Sales, Marketing and Supply Chain) to conduct situational analyses of – and generate actionable insights on – existing and adjacent optical interconnect, routing and switching and software markets inside and outside the data center. Such analyses may include industry and technology trends and drivers associated with AI/ML that are influencing architectures, commercial and product consumption models, market size, growth, profitability, competitive landscape, comparative advantage, and risk.
• Based on strategic analyses, identify potential market entry points and intercepts, and assess and prioritize potential technology and business opportunities, for the company’s WaveLogic technology, networking software, and adjacent technologies in support of AI/ML interconnectivity markets inside and around the data center.
• Collaborate with functional leaders to build business cases for, make recommendations on, and facilitate executive decision-making about, strategic investment priorities and decisions for interconnectivity technology and software inside and outside the data center, including with respect to product portfolio, commercial and product consumption models, and go-to-market approach. Investment alternatives may include R&D, commercial and technical agreements, M&A, strategic alliances, and/or corporate venture capital investments.
• Provide leadership to the Corporate Strategy organization and other functions on a wide range of activities relevant to strategic decision-making, including support on business intelligence, industry research and data analytics of existing and adjacent markets, strategic planning, and corporate development activities.

The Must Haves:

• Bachelor's and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering, computer science or equivalent.
• MBA or similar management-related master's degree is preferred.
• Ten years of industry experience, with at least five years of demonstrated experience and leadership in optical interconnect technology strategy and business development.
• Experience performing strategic analysis in the business of network connectivity, with proficiency across optical, IP and Ethernet domains in wide area networks and/or data centers.
• Proven track record in the incubation, development and management of products associated with networking and/or data center markets (including knowledge of architectures, processes, and commercial models).
• Deep understanding of AI/ML architecture, infrastructure, and model requirements.
• Experience of network and/or data center operations at global scale.
• Good understanding of network and/or data center automation, telemetry, and software defined networking (SDN) trends.

Assets:

• Ability to evangelize and articulate strategy, products and solutions to customers and partners at both business and technical levels.
• Capable of successfully engaging and interacting across multiple functions and corporate levels to drive change management and business outcomes.
• Adept at considering business strategy and developing or evaluating alternative solutions and outlining potential risks and benefits to assist in management decision-making.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and conceptual skills to solve complex problems.
• Strong verbal and written communication, organization, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excels in a fast-paced, high growth environment and able to be a self-starter within a highly collaborative domain.
• Ability to work effectively with geographically and technically diverse teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with other applicable tools.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual pay range for this position in USA is $184,800 - $295,200.

The annual pay range for this position in Canada is $CAD167,500 - $CAD267,500.
The annual pay range for this position in California is $204,100 - $326,000.

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

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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.

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