Services Project Manager

Ciena Government Solutions, Inc.; Kansas; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

401(k) plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Ciena Corporation is seeking an experienced Services Project Manager to lead medium to large E,F&I projects within customer networks. You will drive margins, schedules and quality, while coordinating efforts across engineering, deployment, sales, and finance to ensure successful delivery and customer satisfaction.

The role involves supporting pre-sales activities, developing detailed project plans, and mentoring junior project managers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; four to six years of relevant experience.
• US Citizenship required.
• PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage medium to large E,F&I projects within a customer network.
• Ensure project margins, timelines and quality targets are met.
• Support pre-sales activities with project management expertise.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams to deliver project milestones.
• Develop and communicate project status, risks, and resolutions to management.
• Lead process improvement initiatives within the project management scope.

Skills

Customer focus

Critical thinking

Judgment

Decisiveness

Developing others

Planning & coordination

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

What will you do at Ciena?

Provide overall management for implementation of medium to large size E,F&I projects, with medium/high complexity, within a Customer network.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Primary responsibility of Services Project Managers is to successfully manage Customer projects, driving achievement of Customer and Ciena cost, schedule and quality goals on the project.
• Ensure that Service target margins are achieved, contributing to accurate revenue recognition, ensuring committed schedules and deliverables are met, and that projects meet Customers expectations for quality and service.
• Services Project Managers may support pre-sales activities, providing project management subject matter expertise and contributing to Customer proposals and RFP responses, as required.
• Deployment Project Managers typically interface with the Ciena Program Managers, Customer project management and Ciena Operations teams, Field Operations, Sales, Bid Management, Service Delivery Groups, and Finance to ensure project deliverables and financial targets are met.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Accountable for Services (E, F & I) Project Financials, Timelines and Quality.
• Validate Project "Scope of Work" against Sales Order to Develop detailed project plan.
• Provide Project SOW Package to Functional teams to facilitate Internal Resource Planning and/or Partner RFQ’s.
• Oversees and ensures proper planning to meet sales forecasts, based on input from Program Management and other internal teams.
• Make certain that deviations to the project schedule are investigated and properly followed up.
• Ensures proper contact with customers relating to field project activities.
• Works closely with Engineering, Deployment Coordinators and Partners on project implementation within the E, F & I Services Organization.
• Partners directly with internal and external customers to translate requirements into structured and executable tasks and milestones.
• May be responsible for multiple projects encompassing a product area or supply chain area, and may help direct less senior Deployment Project Managers in their duties.
• Facilitate communication between internal groups, internal functions, and outside suppliers/customers as necessary in support of the project execution.
• May be required to contribute to process management optimization efforts associated with project management.
• Document and communicate project status, obstacles and resolutions to management.
• Accountable for developing and coordinating carefully designed and approved action plans to successfully complete E,F & I projects.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all aspects of E,F&I projects, during the onsite implementation phase.
• Assure all parties maintain close communication and coordination regarding project status and milestones.
• Maintain project schedules and report to Management regularly or as agreed.
• Participate in, or lead, process improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Provides input to department budgets as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Objective Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field from a college or university with four to six years related experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• US Citizen required.
• PMP Certification preferred

Candidate Profile

• Customer Focused - Addresses underlying needs of the customer.
• Critical Thinking / Analysis- Sees multiple relationships and goes beyond the direct information presented to get to the "root of the problem".
• Judgment - Makes moderately Complex decisions while weighing the pros and cons.
• Decisiveness - Delivers decisions in the face of completing alternatives.
• Developing Others - Provides direct instruction and/or on going coaching to those junior to themselves.
• Organizational Awareness - Understands formal and informal structure and the climate / culture of the organization.
• Outstanding planning, scheduling, and coordination skills.
• Superior communication, organization and leadership Skills.
• Superior Resource Management ability and understanding of Outsourcing Methodology.
• A hands-on Manager that will manage by Team Building.
• Is self motivated and can work from high level departmental goals.
• A team player that will work well in a cross functional team environment.
• Must have proficiency with various software applications including Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
• Understands JIT (Just In Time) concepts as they pertain to EF&I Field Projects.

Salary Range

The salary range for this role in, USA, is: $95,200.00 - $152,200.00 usd.

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.

Benefits

• Medical plans
• Dental plans
• 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
• Vacation time

We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

Company Culture & Diversity

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.