Professional Services Program Manager

Redolent•Menlo Park, CA

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Professional Services Program Manager is a critical multi-dimension role in the Professional Services organization. The position is responsible for the delivery of business-critical solutions for Blue Planet customers, delivering repeatable high-quality solutions with the Professional Services project teams. This position requires strong leadership skills, significant knowledge and professionalism gained from years of Telco domain (OSS - Order Orchestration, Inventory, Provisioning, NFV, MSO, etc) delivery and implementation experience. Tasks include providing Delivery and Implementation leadership, Professional Services best practice expertise and Telecommunications experience with clients, the Professional Services practice, and the greater Ciena/Blue Planet organizations.

Requirements

A minimum of 7+ years in Telecoms and High Tech Experience managing large, multi-function project teams with global team members including Architects, Developers, Business Analysts, and QA Project Management.
A BS or BA degree in related fields
Possess a minimum of 10 years of Telecommunications related industry(s) operational experience and/or implementing OSS projects within those markets.
Possess a minimum of 7 years in a lead role in previous Professional Services and/or participation in medium to large-scale projects preferred
Possess experience working with a large systems provider and/or integrator preferred
Previous Professional Services and/or participation in medium to large-scale projects preferred
Strong verbal presentation and written communication skills
Ability to identify and proactively solve problems
Demonstrated time management skills
Flexible & easily adapts to change
Ability to travel as needed

Nice To Haves

A proven track record of building teams, inspiring excellence, leadership by example and demonstrable tenacity.
A history of delivering excellent customer satisfaction, building senior level relationships
Personal Balanced business/technical background
Sufficient level of technical background to provide leadership to development teams and to be able to evaluate complex project risks and issues accurately and objectively
Ability to provide leadership to business analysts and collaborate with customers and develop strategies and solutions of high business value
Excellent oral and written communications skills and experience interacting with both business and IT individuals at all levels including the executive level
Must be eager to learn and develop new skills
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Blue Planet's solutions
Displays an ability to demonstrate and discuss product functionality, at any level of detail, with a variety of client audiences

Responsibilities

Maintain current skills regarding tools, methods, and techniques and delivery practices
Position and deliver Blue Planet’s value proposition in a manner that addresses the customer’s key business issues
Actively contribute to Blue Planet’s professional Services practice area through identification and creation of delivery and implementation-focused deliverables by product and/ or professional services
Assume P&L responsibility for the resources within project scope
Align and deliver professional services within practice organization in line with Blue Planet Professional Services annual objectives and financial metrics.
Develop and utilize a network of cross-functional/technical contacts within the greater Ciena and Blue Planet organization for to achieve objectives
Manage client relationships at various levels during engagements
Work with Professional Services Managers and Consultants to define standards
Assist with the escalation of staffing issues.
Coach, mentor and counsel consultants regarding their developmental needs for specific Lines of Business and Professional Services roles.
Collaborate with peer Professional Services Managers, Directors, Vice President and Core Expert practitioner of software development life cycle models, expert knowledge and application of both Agile and traditional project management principles.
Ensure that all Projects are delivered according to Blue Planet Project accounting processes to ensure accurate time reporting and forecasting
Pro-actively plan for the deployment of Professional Services staff on future projects
Gain an understanding of assignment needs, tasks, deliverables, timescales, etc in order to ensure client requirements, and to provide and assign a Consultant to the engagement
Work closely with the Consultants and Project Managers to coordinate delivery
Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards and discipline
Understands and adheres to Blue Planet policies and procedures
Manage operating expenditure of project aligning to budgetary constraints
Promote a positive, professional, and responsive work environment