SENIOR LEAD COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Lumen; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 106,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen is seeking a senior lead communications manager to align employees with our product portfolio, technology strategy, and transformation. You will own large bodies of work, counsel executives, and lead enterprise initiatives that advance the product and technology narrative.

You’ll partner with Product, Technology, Public Relations and Marketing to shape narratives, develop executive-ready content, and lead programs. Strong judgm ent and comfort with ambiguity are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or a related field.
• Typically 8 or more years of relevant experience, or 6 or more years of experience with a Master's degree.
• Substantial experience in internal communications, executive communications, change communications, product communications, or technology communications.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex business and technology topics into clear, compelling narratives.
• Proven experience advising and influencing senior leaders and developing executive-level communications.
• Experience leading large-scale communication strategies for transformational business initiatives.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, collaboration platforms, and AI-powered productivity solutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to product and technology leaders, providing counsel on messaging, employee engagement, and organizational communications.
• Shape executive narratives that help leaders articulate vision, strategy, priorities, and progress to employees.
• Develop executive presentations, town hall content, keynote materials, and internal thought leadership.
• Prepare leaders for high-visibility moments, including all-employee meetings, leadership forums, and organizational announcements.
• Drive communications that bring Lumen's long-term product strategy, innovation priorities, technology investments, and AI vision to life for employees.
• Translate complex product, network, and technology topics into clear, engaging narratives for a broad internal audience.
• Develop storylines that connect product and technology decisions to customer outcomes, growth, and company transformation.
• Identify emerging stories and proof points that strengthen employee understanding of, and confidence in, Lumen's strategic direction.
• Lead communications for high-profile, enterprise-wide product and technology initiatives from planning through execution.
• Build integrated communication plans that support awareness, adoption, and alignment during periods of change.
• Anticipate employee questions and concerns, developing FAQs and supporting content that increase clarity and transparency.
• Manage multiple concurrent programs, balancing long-range planning with fast-moving announcements.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across business units, including Marketing, Strategy, HR, and Public Relations.
• Coordinate messaging across teams so employees hear a consistent story regardless of channel or audience.
• Influence without authority, guiding senior stakeholders toward communication approaches that serve both employees and business objectives.
• Determine the right mix of channels for each audience and message, including intranet, newsletters, video, executive forums, digital signage, and collaboration platforms.
• Manage editorial calendars, content reviews, approvals, and delivery timelines for the product and technology communications portfolio.
• Monitor effectiveness through engagement metrics, employee feedback, and channel analytics.
• Use those insights to refine narratives, extend reach, and raise the quality of communications over time.

Skills

Executive Communications

Strategic Counsel

Storytelling

Change Management

Internal Communications

Executive leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Tools

Microsoft 365

Collaboration tools

AI productivity tools

Job description

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

Lumen is seeking a senior lead communications manager to help employees understand where our product portfolio and technology strategy are going, why it matters, and how it supports the company's transformation and growth. Reporting to the Director of Product and Technology Vision Communications, this role operates as a senior communications leader who independently owns large bodies of work, counsels executives, and leads enterprise-level initiatives that advance the product and technology narrative.

This individual partners closely with multiple teams including Product, Technology, Public Relations and Marketing to shape narratives, develop executive-ready content, and lead programs. A stellar candidate will have experience turning complex technical strategy into communications employees find clear and compelling. Success in the role requires strong judgment, comfort with ambiguity, and the credibility to advise senior leaders on how and when to communicate.

The Main Responsibilities

Executive Communications and Strategic Counsel

• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to product and technology leaders, providing counsel on messaging, employee engagement, and organizational communications.

• Shape executive narratives that help leaders articulate vision, strategy, priorities, and progress to employees.

• Develop executive presentations, town hall content, keynote materials, and internal thought leadership.

• Prepare leaders for high-visibility moments, including all-employee meetings, leadership forums, and organizational announcements.

Product and Technology Vision Storytelling

• Drive communications that bring Lumen's long-term product strategy, innovation priorities, technology investments, and AI vision to life for employees.

• Translate complex product, network, and technology topics into clear, engaging narratives for a broad internal audience.

• Develop storylines that connect product and technology decisions to customer outcomes, growth, and company transformation.

• Identify emerging stories and proof points that strengthen employee understanding of, and confidence in, Lumen's strategic direction.

Strategic Program and Change Leadership

• Lead communications for high-profile, enterprise-wide product and technology initiatives from planning through execution.

• Build integrated communication plans that support awareness, adoption, and alignment during periods of change.

• Anticipate employee questions and concerns, developing FAQs and supporting content that increase clarity and transparency.

• Manage multiple concurrent programs, balancing long-range planning with fast-moving announcements.

Cross-Functional Partnership and Influence

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across business units, including Marketing, Strategy, HR, and Public Relations.

• Coordinate messaging across teams so employees hear a consistent story regardless of channel or audience.

• Influence without authority, guiding senior stakeholders toward communication approaches that serve both employees and business objectives.

Channel Strategy, Execution and Measurement

• Determine the right mix of channels for each audience and message, including intranet, newsletters, video, executive forums, digital signage, and collaboration platforms.

• Manage editorial calendars, content reviews, approvals, and delivery timelines for the product and technology communications portfolio.

• Monitor effectiveness through engagement metrics, employee feedback, and channel analytics.

• Use those insights to refine narratives, extend reach, and raise the quality of communications over time.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or a related field.

• Typically 8 or more years of relevant experience, or 6 or more years of experience with a Master's degree.

• Substantial experience in internal communications, executive communications, change communications, product communications, or technology communications.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex business and technology topics into clear, compelling narratives.

• Proven experience advising and influencing senior leaders and developing executive-level communications.

• Experience leading large-scale communication strategies for transformational business initiatives.

• Strong project and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, collaboration platforms, and AI-powered productivity solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting product, technology, AI, transformation, or innovation communications.

• Familiarity with the telecommunications, technology, software, or digital infrastructure industries.

• Experience creating multimedia content such as video, podcasts, and executive storytelling assets.

• Working knowledge of employee engagement strategy and change management principles.

What Success Looks Like

• Product and technology leaders view this individual as a trusted strategic communications partner.

• Employees understand and connect with Lumen's product vision, technology strategy, and innovation priorities.

• Enterprise initiatives are supported by proactive communication plans that improve alignment and engagement.

• Executive communications consistently reinforce strategic priorities and build confidence in the company's direction.

• Communication strategies are informed by data, audience insight, and measurable business outcomes.

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

$105,786 - $141,047 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

$111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$116,364 - $155,152 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. 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.

Learn more about Lumen's:

Benefits (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/benefits-statement)

Bonus Structure

#LI-Remote

Requisition #: 343290

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 (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/faq) . 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.