Senior Program Director of Enterprise Transformation

Ciena Government Solutions • Baltimore, MD

5h

About The Position

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact. Reporting directly to the Chief Transformation Officer (CTO), t he Senior Program Director position is a pivotal leadership role. It combines strategic vision with operational execution, requiring the ability to manage complex, cross-functional and concurrent transformation initiatives while maintaining focus on the broader organizational mission. The role is designed for a seasoned program director with extensive experience in delivering enterprise-wide transformation programs and driving measurable business outcomes.

Requirements

• Professional Background : Significant and progressive leadership experience in large, complex, global public companies (preferably in manufacturing, technology, or industrial sectors).
• Proven track record of delivering $50M+ cross-functional transformation programs in matrixed environments.
• Technical Expertise : Mastery of program/portfolio management methodologies, governance design, and value-tracking disciplines.
• Financial acumen, including business-case development, cost-benefit analysis, and P&L impact modeling.
• Communication Skills : Exceptional executive storytelling and presentation skills, especially via PowerPoint.
• Behavioral Traits : Curiosity and Creativity : Demonstrates a proactive approach to exploring alternative solutions and adapting best practices. Possesses a builder mentality, with a track record of creating new capabilities in ambiguous or green-field environments.
• Consultative Mindset : Operates as a strategic advisor, blending operational expertise with flexible, solution-oriented recommendations. Pushes for faster decisions while balancing organizational realities.
• Interpersonal Skills : Ability to quickly build and maintain trusted relationships at all levels of the organization. Balances assertiveness with empathy to drive change collaboratively. Low-ego approach focused on enabling the CTO and leadership team’s success.
• Travel Flexibility : Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
• PMP, PgMP , PfMP , or equivalent certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Program Ownership : Direct accountability for the execution and delivery of 2–4 concurrent, enterprise-wide transformation programs. Ensure programs achieve intended milestones, manage risks, dependencies, budgets, and deliver measurable value.
• Governance Design : Develop and enforce governance frameworks, including steering committees, tollgates, decision forums, reporting mechanisms, and methodologies.
• Strategic Roadmap Management : Maintain a multi-year transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and managing critical-path interdependencies.
• Decision Support : Lead scenario planning and trade-off analyses to balance speed, risk, and impact. Prepare concise, high-impact executive materials to drive strategic decision-making.
• Organizational Barriers : Identify cultural, organizational, or leadership obstacles and provide actionable recommendations to the CTO.
• Continuous Improvement : Establish and refine operating mechanisms, tools, templates, and knowledge management processes to improve efficiency and program delivery.

Benefits

• Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and 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, and vacation time.
• We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

What This Job Offers

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