Director API Governance
About The Position
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 Director, API Governance & Enablement will establish and lead Lumen’s Enterprise API Office. This leader will create the governance, standards, and operating model needed to make APIs consistent, reusable, discoverable, and easier to consume. Working closely with Product, Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Data Governance, Connected Ecosystem, Sales, Marketing, AGT, and Partner Channel teams, the Director will enable a consistent approach to API planning, development, launch, and lifecycle management. Product Management will continue to own customer needs, priorities, and roadmap decisions, while this role provides the structure and accountability needed to turn those priorities into scalable enterprise capabilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of experience in API management, platform strategy, enterprise architecture, product enablement, technology strategy, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and leading enterprise-wide initiatives.
- Experience establishing governance frameworks, centers of excellence, or cross-functional operating models.
- Demonstrated ability to influence Product, Engineering, Architecture, and business leaders in a matrixed organization.
- Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience establishing or leading an API governance, API platform, or developer enablement capability.
- Knowledge of API lifecycle management, API-first practices, REST standards, OpenAPI specifications, and developer experience.
- Experience with API management, catalog, governance, or automation platforms.
- Familiarity with TM Forum standards, digital ecosystems, partner integrations, or telecommunications architecture.
- Experience leading enterprise training, adoption, and enablement programs.
Responsibilities
- Establish and lead Lumen’s Enterprise API Office, including its governance model, decision forums, operating cadence, and performance measures.
- Build and maintain the enterprise API roadmap in partnership with Product, Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, and Connected Ecosystem leaders.
- Define and operationalize API standards, lifecycle controls, intake processes, and launch-readiness criteria.
- Create a consistent engagement model between Product and Engineering for planning, designing, delivering, and managing APIs.
- Ensure APIs are reusable, discoverable, documented, supported, and built on trusted data from foundational domains such as Customer, Account, Contract, Order, and Billing.
- Partner with Engineering and Enterprise Architecture to embed API standards and automated controls into development practices.
- Coordinate with Sales, Marketing, AGT, Partner Channel, and Connected Ecosystem teams to communicate available capabilities, planned releases, and launch readiness.
- Lead API training, enablement, and communities of practice to increase adoption, reuse, and consistent execution.
- Establish metrics and executive reporting for API maturity, adoption, reuse, readiness, and value realization.
- Build and lead a high-performing team while driving accountability and collaboration across a highly matrixed organization.
Benefits
- Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.
- Bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Associate degree
