Sr Contract Manager - OPS

Lumen Technologies; United States; Remote; USD 85,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life insurance

Voluntary lifestyle benefits

Job summary

Lumen Technologies is seeking a Senior Contract Manager to lead right of way acquisition and management for its North America fiber optic network. You will negotiate with private landowners, oversee title reviews, and coordinate with project teams to ensure timely, compliant agreements.

In this role, you’ll mentor other contract managers, help shape policies, and ensure accurate documentation and reporting. A strong background in real estate or telecom contracts is preferred.

Qualifications

• Preferably a degree in business, law, real estate, financial management or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of relevant contract management or land administration experience.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate right of way agreements with private parties and government agencies.
• Review title information and encumbrances to determine ownership.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, surveyors, attorneys to complete agreements.
• Monitor the status and performance of right of way agreements including renewals and disputes.
• Maintain the right of way database and records for policy compliance.
• Prepare and present reports on right of way activities to management and clients.
• Create a document turnover package to ensure compliance.
• Serve as main contact for underlying rights providers and agreements.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Independent / Collaborative work

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Right of way software

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

A senior contract manager is responsible for acquiring and managing right of way agreements for various projects to support the company’s fiber optic network across North America. A senior contract manager works with private companies, landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to negotiate and execute right of way agreements that meet the project requirements and comply with the applicable laws and regulations. A senior contract manager has the expertise to provide underlying right knowledge to company as needed as well as mentoring, training, and providing direction to other contract managers.

The Main Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate right of way agreements with private companies, landowners, government agencies, and other parties.
• Review and analyze title information, surveys, maps, and other documents to determine the ownership and encumbrances of the property.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, surveyors, attorneys, and other team members to ensure the timely and accurate completion of right of way agreements.
• Monitor and manage the status and performance of right of way agreements, including payments, renewals, amendments, terminations, and disputes.
• Maintain and update the right of way database and records, ensuring compliance with the company policies and procedures.
• Prepare and present reports and summaries of right of way activities and issues to management and clients.
• Create a document turnover package to ensure compliance with company’s policies and procedures
• Main point of contact for major underlying rights providers and respective agreements.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Preferably in business, law, real estate, financial management or related field.
• Preferably a Master’s degree
• Or minimum of 7+ years of relevant job experience in contract management, right of way acquisition, or land administration.
• Preferably in telecom, outside plant design, construction, or network planning
• Expert knowledge of the principles and practices of right of way acquisition & management, including legal, regulatory, and environmental aspects.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and right of way software applications.

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
$84,629 - $112,838 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
$88,860 - $118,480 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
$93,092 - $124,122 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.