Senior Director, Public Policy

Lumen Technologies • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lumen is the trusted network for AI. We’re transforming how businesses connect, secure, and scale in an AI-driven world.
By connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly, we help organizations move faster and unlock what’s next.
At Lumen, people power progress. Our culture is built on teamwork, trust, and transparency, giving you the flexibility, support, and opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’re looking for top-tier talent ready to take on the challenge. Join us in building the future.
The Role
Lumen is seeking a visionary and strategic Senior Director of Policy to lead our global public policy agenda at the crossroad of advanced networking, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data protection. This senior leadership role will shape and advance policy frameworks that enable responsible innovation, secure digital infrastructure, and privacy-by-design, while protecting and advancing Lumen’s strategic and commercial interests.
Reporting to the SVP of Public Policy and Government Affairs, this leader will serve as Lumen’s principal policy strategist and external representative on AI governance, cybersecurity, and privacy matters. The Senior Director will engage directly with federal and state policymakers, regulatory agencies, and industry coalitions; provide advice to inform the C-Suite and Board; and translate complex technical and regulatory developments into compelling business strategies and advocacy outcomes.
The ideal candidate brings deep subject matter expertise, political acumen, executive presence, and an established network across government, industry, and the technology ecosystem. This individual will sit at the intersection of telecommunications expertise and emerging technology, driving policy that supports secure infrastructure, responsible AI deployment, and Lumen’s long-term competitive leadership.
This role is based in Washington, D.C. and operates on a hybrid work schedule, with regular in‑office engagement required to support direct collaboration with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and internal leaders.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in the communications, technology, or related industry, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data privacy.
• Proven track record in public policy, government affairs, or regulatory advocacy, including direct, hands-on engagement with federal and/or state policymakers, legislative bodies, or regulatory authorities.
• Strong understanding of the telecommunications sector, including legacy and future network infrastructure, enterprise connectivity, and the evolving regulatory landscape governing these services, and how they intersect with AI and cybersecurity risk.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical and legal concepts into clear, compelling policy narratives for diverse audiences, from software engineers to Members of Congress to C-Suite executives.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of shaping policy outcomes or influencing regulatory frameworks at a high level.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated experience drafting position papers, formal comment letters, regulatory filings, and executive-level testimony.
• Demonstrated success driving cross-functional collaboration, building consensus among diverse internal and external stakeholders, and managing multiple high-priority workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and, where needed, internationally to engage with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (J.D., M.B.A., M.P.P., or graduate-level credential in AI, cybersecurity, law, or a related policy discipline).
• Experience serving in a senior legal or advisory role focused on technology law, cybersecurity regulation, AI governance, or data protection.
• Established relationships with senior officials, and regulatory bodies relevant to telecommunications, AI, or cybersecurity (e.g., FCC, NTIA, CISA, FTC, state PUCs).
• Active U.S. security clearance (or eligibility to obtain one) is a plus.
• Proven track record of influencing policy outcomes in Washington, DC and at the state level; experience in international or multilateral policy forums is a strong plus.
• Deep knowledge of AI governance trends, including NIST AI RMF, the EU AI Act, algorithmic transparency, AI safety frameworks, and emerging U.S. domestic regulatory proposals.
• Expertise in global privacy and data protection laws, including GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, cross-border data transfer frameworks, and the growing patchwork of U.S. state privacy legislation.
• Hands-on experience with cybersecurity policy, including CISA initiatives, critical infrastructure protection standards (NIST CSF), incident reporting mandates, and supply chain security requirements.
• Familiarity with enterprise network architectures, cloud and edge computing environments, and security operations as they relate to AI workloads and high-capacity connectivity.
• Prior experience at a technology company, telecommunications carrier, trade association, law firm, consulting firm, Congressional office, or federal agency working at the intersection of technology and policy.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyze, and anticipate legislative, regulatory, and policy developments related to AI governance, cybersecurity, and data privacy at the federal, state, and key international levels, translating implications into timely, actionable intelligence for senior leadership.
• Develop, refine, and champion Lumen’s policy positions before Congress, the FCC, NTIA, CISA, DHS, FTC, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, state regulatory bodies, and other relevant agencies.
• Lead proactive advocacy efforts that promote innovation, secure infrastructure, and responsible AI deployment, shaping policy frameworks that support AI-ready infrastructure, cloud-edge convergence, and critical communications services.
• Design and execute targeted advocacy campaigns on priority issues, including AI safety and governance frameworks, critical infrastructure protection, national cybersecurity strategies, and federal and state data privacy legislation.
• Prepare and deliver formal testimony, regulatory comment letters, policy briefs, and executive briefings that articulate Lumen’s perspectives, including implications for critical infrastructure, emergency services, and NG911.
• Represent Lumen in high-stakes forums, industry coalitions, trade associations, regulatory proceedings, advisory councils, and multistakeholder bodies focused on AI, cybersecurity, privacy, and telecommunications policy.
• Cultivate and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, senior agency officials, White House advisors, think tanks, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and peer companies.
• Elevate Lumen’s profile as a responsible technology leader by authoring white papers, op-eds, and policy briefs, and by representing the company at high-profile industry conferences and public hearings.
• Engage proactively in international forums and multilateral discussions on AI governance, cybersecurity cooperation, and cross-border data flows, where relevant to Lumen’s global network operations.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with key external partners, including industry associations such as USTelecom, ITI, and the Cybersecurity Coalition, as well as emerging AI governance and standards bodies.
• Partner with Legal, Engineering, Product, Sales, Security, Data/AI, and Government Affairs teams to integrate policy perspectives into business strategy, product design, go-to-market planning, and corporate risk management.
• Advise senior leadership, including the C-Suite and Board, on emerging policy risks and opportunities, providing clear assessments of how regulatory developments may affect Lumen’s operations, growth, and competitive positioning.
• Collaborate with the Black Lotus Labs cybersecurity team to translate threat intelligence insights into policy recommendations that support both Lumen’s security posture and broader industry resilience.
• Ensure alignment between Lumen’s public policy strategy and its commercial objectives in NaaS, SASE, SD-WAN, AI data center connectivity, managed security services, and NG911.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and direction to policy analysts and a matrixed team supporting advocacy, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Anticipate and assess regulatory risks associated with AI governance frameworks, evolving cybersecurity standards, and privacy regulations, including GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, emerging U.S. state laws, and international data transfer rules.
• Partner with Compliance, Security, and Product leaders to translate policy developments into practical implementation guidance that is both operationally workable and competitively advantageous.
• Contribute to enterprise-level governance initiatives that reinforce Lumen’s reputation as a trusted, responsible technology and infrastructure leader.
• Ensure policy strategies align with leading cybersecurity frameworks (NIST CSF, CISA guidance) and AI risk management standards, advocating for balanced, innovation-forward regulatory approaches.

Benefits

• 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.
• Bonus Structure
• Benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees