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.

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving enterprise-wide transformation? We are seeking a Senior Program Director to report directly to our Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). This pivotal role combines strategic foresight with operational excellence, empowering you to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes. If you thrive in dynamic environments and are ready to shape the future of our organization, this opportunity is for you.

How You Will Contribute:

• Lead the execution and delivery of 2–4 concurrent enterprise-wide transformation programs, ensuring milestones are achieved, risks managed, and measurable value delivered.

• Design and enforce governance frameworks, including steering committees, tollgates, decision forums, reporting mechanisms, and methodologies.

• Maintain a multi-year transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and managing critical-path interdependencies.

• Drive scenario planning and trade-off analyses to balance speed, risk, and impact, while preparing high-impact executive materials for strategic decision-making.

• Identify cultural, organizational, or leadership obstacles and deliver actionable recommendations to the CTO.

• Establish continuous improvement mechanisms, refining tools, templates, and processes to enhance efficiency and program delivery.

The Must Haves:

• Extensive leadership experience in large, complex, global public companies, ideally within manufacturing, technology, or industrial sectors.

• Proven track record of delivering $50M+ cross-functional transformation programs within matrixed environments.

• Mastery of program/portfolio management methodologies, governance design, and value-tracking disciplines.

• Strong financial acumen, including business-case development, cost-benefit analysis, and P&L impact modeling.

• Exceptional executive storytelling and presentation skills, especially using PowerPoint.

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.

• PMP, PgMP, PfMP, or equivalent certification is a plus.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience in navigating cultural and organizational challenges within fast-paced environments.

• Demonstrated ability to create new capabilities in ambiguous or green-field settings.

• Strong consultative mindset, blending operational expertise with solution-oriented recommendations.

• Proven ability to build trusted relationships at all levels of the organization and drive change collaboratively.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community to get relevant job alerts straight to your inbox.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.