Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Performance Management

About Lumen Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up – committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress. We’re invested in providing the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Apply now to continue digitally connecting the world and shaping the future. The Role The Senior Director, Strategic Planning & Performance Management plays a pivotal role in driving clarity, alignment, and execution across the CTO/STEPN (Security, Technology, Engineering, Product and Network) organization and broader Lumen enterprise. This leader is responsible for shaping and operationalizing the rhythms of business, enabling effective organizational program intake, and ensuring downstream engagement across cross-functional teams. In this role, you will also partner closely with the CTO Leadership team Lumen Transformation Office to inform strategic priorities, forecast demand and capacity, and deliver STEPN-wide performance and financial reporting. You will lead executive and internal communications, foster team culture and health, and drive storytelling that connects strategy to impact. Through disciplined planning and performance management, you will help scale operational excellence and accelerate innovation across the organization Location This is a remote opportunity open to candidates located anywhere in the U.S. The Main Responsibilities • Shape and operationalize rhythms of business (QBR and MBR) across the CTO organization, driving consistency, transparency, and execution discipline. • Lead NPI and PLM strategic planning cycles, aligning organizational priorities with enterprise goals and transformation initiatives. • Partner with the Lumen Transformation Office to inform and influence strategic direction, investment decisions, and program intake processes. • Develop and manage performance and financial reporting across STEPN, enabling data-driven decision-making and accountability. • Forecast demand and capacity across teams to ensure resource alignment with strategic initiatives and delivery commitments. • Drive executive and internal communications, crafting compelling narratives that connect strategy to impact and foster engagement. • Facilitate cross-functional engagement, ensuring downstream teams are aligned and activated around key programs and initiatives. • Champion team culture and health, implementing practices that promote collaboration, resilience, and continuous improvement. • Lead visual storytelling and strategic communications, translating complex initiatives into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders. • Establish governance models and performance frameworks to monitor progress, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement. • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights, recommendations, and visibility into strategic execution. What We Look For in a Candidate • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. • 12+ years of experience in strategic planning, performance management, or program operations, ideally within a technology, SaaS, or enterprise transformation environment. • Proven experience serving in a Chief of Staff capacity or similar executive advisory role, with a strong ability to drive alignment, manage priorities, and support senior leadership. • Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives with measurable business impact (e.g., improved delivery velocity, bolthires optimization, or increased stakeholder alignment). • Strong expertise in business rhythms, organizational planning, and performance frameworks across complex, matrixed organizations. • Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with experience crafting executive-level narratives, briefing materials, and strategic updates. • Experience collaborating with external partners, vendors, and consultants to align strategic initiatives with market trends and innovation opportunities. • Track record of driving cultural transformation, team health, and engagement through structured planning and change management. • Advanced analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights and influence decision-making. • Comfort operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments, with a bias for action and continuous improvement. • Trusted advisor to senior leadership, with a history of influencing strategic direction, managing executive priorities, and delivering high-impact outcomes. • Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion, integrity, and professionalism. Compensation This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors. Location Based Pay Ranges: $171,447 - $228,596 in these states: AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WI, WV, and WY. $180,020 - $240,026 in these states: CO, HI, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, OR, and RI. $188,592 - $251,456 in these states: AK, CA, CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, TX, VA, and WA. #LI-Remote #LI-KG1 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. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process. Learn more about Lumen's: • Benefits • Bonus Structure Requisition #: 338844 Background Screening If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Equal Employment Opportunities We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training. Disclaimer The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name. Application Deadline 09/11/2025 Apply tot his job Apply tot his job