The Role

The Manager, Network Planning is responsible for leading a team of planners focused on executing network capacity and infrastructure plans that support business demand, operational performance, and capital efficiency.

This role translates defined planning strategies and demand inputs into executable work plans, ensuring alignment across Engineering, Operations, and Program Management. The Manager is accountable for team delivery, quality of outputs, and maintaining alignment with organizational priorities.

In addition to execution leadership, this role leverages data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to improve planning efficiency, generate insights, and translate complex network topics into clear, executive-level narratives that support decision-making.

The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with experience in network planning or engineering who can drive execution, manage competing priorities, and deliver both operational results and business-facing insights.

What You'll Do

Lead and Manage Planning Execution

• Manage a team of network planners responsible for day-to-day planning deliverables
• Assign and prioritize workload to ensure timely and accurate execution of planning activities
• Monitor team performance, output quality, and adherence to timelines and standards
• Ensure team alignment to defined planning processes, guidelines, and priorities

Drive Capacity Planning and Network Execution

• Oversee execution of network capacity plans, including augments, expansions, and optimization efforts
• Ensure effective day-to-day management of capacity, headroom, and demand fulfillment
• Support execution of adds, changes, disconnects, and network improvements

Translate Demand into Actionable Plans

• Convert demand inputs (from sales, product, and strategic planning teams) into actionable work plans
• Ensure accurate scoping, feasibility validation, and readiness for downstream execution
• Provide input into capital planning processes through cost estimates and planning data

Leverage Data, Analytics, and AI

• Utilize data analytics, forecasting models, and AI-enabled tools to improve planning accuracy and efficiency
• Automate reporting, identify patterns, and surface insights to proactively manage capacity and demand
• Drive adoption of AI tools to reduce manual effort, enhance decision-making, and improve visibility into network performance
• Use data-driven insights to identify risks, constraints, and optimization opportunities

Develop Executive-Level Narratives and Communications

• Translate complex network planning data into clear, concise executive-level narratives
• Develop summaries, presentations, and talking points that communicate network health, risks, and investment needs
• Support leadership reviews by synthesizing data into actionable insights and recommendations
• Ensure messaging is tailored to different audiences (e.g., executive leadership, field operations, cross-functional partners)

Coordinate with Cross-Functional Teams

• Partner with Engineering, Field Operations, and Program Management to ensure plans are executable
• Track progress of planning-driven work and escalate issues as needed
• Ensure alignment between planning outputs and downstream delivery expectations

Use Data to Drive Performance

• Leverage reporting tools to track workload, capacity, and execution performance
• Identify bottlenecks, risks, and inefficiencies within planning workflows
• Provide regular updates and performance insights to leadership

Support Process Improvement Initiatives

• Identify opportunities to improve planning efficiency, accuracy, and cycle time
• Support implementation of standardized processes, tools, and reporting methods
• Drive adoption of best practices and continuous improvement across the team

Develop Talent and Build Capability

• Provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to planners
• Build both technical expertise and business acumen across the team
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration

What We Look For in a Candidate

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Telecommunications, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5 years of experience in network planning, engineering, or telecommunications operations
• 3 years of people leadership or team management experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with capacity planning, network design, or infrastructure delivery
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a planning or operations environment supporting transport, IP, fiber, or access networks
• Familiarity with planning systems, network inventory tools, and data visualization platforms
• Experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., Copilot, automation platforms, advanced analytics) to improve workflows and reporting
• Experience developing executive presentations, summaries, or business narratives
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical content into business-focused messaging

Key Characteristics of Success

• Execution-focused with strong attention to detail and delivery accountability
• Effective team leader with a focus on coaching and performance management
• Able to manage defined scope with limited guidance while escalating appropriately
• Comfortable operating within established strategy and translating it into execution
• Strong communicator capable of converting data into clear, actionable insights

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

$105,786 - $141,047 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 WY
$111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
$116,364 - $155,152 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

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

#LI-Remote

Requisition #: 342447