Sr Director - Business Development and Strategy - AI Connect

Verizon • Irving, TX

7d • $183,500 - $352,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Director - Business Development and Strategy is a key leadership position within Verizon’s AI Connect program. The role drives the program’s strategic direction and high-growth business development initiatives, shaping the unit’s commercial viability and growth from initial strategy definition through execution across core infrastructure plays. The position guides the unit through its phased evolution, from initial build-out to large-scale optimization, and reports directly to the VP of Business Development and Strategy & Growth.

The role defines and drives AI Connect’s overarching program strategy and business development initiatives; partners with cross-functional teams on infrastructure plays involving Edge Data Centers, Dark Fiber, Wave technologies, and Adaptive Network Fabrics; and manages organizational maturity benchmarking and annual planning. It also directs next-generation AI and agentic strategy innovation, manages Play 1 go-to-market partnerships delivering up to $200M in run-rate revenue, and leads supply chain de-risking efforts.

The Sr. Director leads prioritization across critical functions within and outside of VBG, including Legal, Sourcing, Real Estate, Regulatory, and Product. The role establishes and manages OKR frameworks to measure strategic milestones and outcomes, oversees resource allocation and headcount planning for a projected organization of approximately 250 personnel, and leads the organization’s evolution from Build (Phase 1) through Scale and Optimization (Phases 3 and 4), ensuring clear ownership across commercial and build functions.

The position is flexible across U.S.-based Verizon locations, with candidates in the Basking Ridge, New Jersey (NY Metro) area highly preferred. This is a hybrid role requiring at least three days per week in the office, with the defined work location set by the manager. Travel of 50% or more is required. Scheduled weekly hours are 40.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of relevant experience.
• Proven executive-level experience in business development, corporate strategy, finance, and operations within a high-tech or telecommunications environment.
• Strong background in strategic program management, cross-functional governance, and driving large-scale initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate a phased growth model and scale organizational capabilities in alignment with business complexity.
• Proven success leading and influencing cross-functional teams to deliver complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Ability to travel 50% or more.
• Ability to work in the hybrid arrangement, including a minimum of three office days per week.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or an equivalent advanced degree.
• Residing in the Basking Ridge, NJ (NY Metro) area is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overarching AI Connect program strategy and business development initiatives in alignment with enterprise goals.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance infrastructure plays involving Edge Data Centers, Dark Fiber, Wave technologies, and Adaptive Network Fabrics.
• Manage organizational maturity benchmarking and annual planning processes.
• Direct next-generation AI and agentic strategy innovation to identify growth opportunities aligned with broader business objectives.
• Manage Play 1 go-to-market partnerships delivering up to $200M in run-rate revenue.
• Lead supply chain de-risking efforts.
• Lead prioritization and execution across critical functions within and outside of VBG, including Legal, Sourcing, Real Estate, Regulatory, and Product.
• Implement and manage OKR frameworks to track strategic milestones and business outcomes, monitor performance, identify gaps, and ensure operational integrity.
• Oversee resource allocation and headcount planning for a projected organization of approximately 250 personnel.
• Drive organizational evolution from Build (Phase 1) through Scale and Optimization (Phases 3 and 4), ensuring clear ownership across commercial and build functions.

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefit options, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance, and group home and auto insurance.
• Matched 401(k) savings plan.
• Up to 8 company-paid holidays per year.
• Up to 6 personal days per year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption assistance.
• Tuition assistance.
• Other incentives and an award-winning total rewards package.
• Potential for premium pay, such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, and allowances, depending on the role.
• Up to 15 days of vacation per year for newly hired employees, increasing with additional service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior