The Role

Lumen Technologies is seeking an experienced communications leader to help elevate the story of Lumen's infrastructure services while supporting incident communications for network outages. The Senior Lead Manager, Network Infrastructure & Incident Communications, role leads strategic messaging for Lumen's infrastructure platforms, partnering closely with the infrastructure team to tell the story of Lumen's core network, services, and operational foundations that enable global connectivity. The role also supports incident messaging for service disruptions, coordinates timely and accurate communications with internal and external stakeholders, and assists with media engagement as needed.

The Main Responsibilities

• Partner with Lumen's infrastructure leaders to identify and develop proactive storytelling opportunities (e.g., network expansions, upgrades, resiliency investments, sustainability and innovation initiatives), translating technical work into clear narratives that support business priorities.
• Drive proactive media relations that move beyond reactive press activity. Identify and prioritize high-impact outlets and influencers; build and sustain trusted journalist relationships; monitor the news cycle for emerging narratives; and develop creative, timely pitch angles that position Lumen executives as authoritative voices on AI networking, infrastructure resilience, and enterprise transformation.
• Act as a strategic advisor to executives and business leaders, ensuring external communications are aligned to business objectives, grounded in an informed point of view, and delivered with consistency, clarity, and credibility across proactive and reactive moments.
• Help anticipate, mitigate, and manage reputational risk by identifying emerging issues early, shaping messaging strategies that protect and strengthen the Lumen brand, and ensuring all communications reinforce trust, transparency, and credibility with key stakeholders.
• Draft press releases, messaging, talking points, and briefing materials, while leading spokesperson preparation and coordinating media interviews, including pitching, scheduling, and follow-up.
• Lead end-to-end communications for network outages and service disruptions, including drafting incident messaging, FAQs, and talking points, and coordinating closely with network operations, incident leaders, legal and other stakeholders to gather approvals and ensure accuracy.
• Field and respond to media inquiries and support proactive outreach related to outages, service reliability, and high-impact issues to provide timely statements, accurate updates, and approved messaging.
• Develop and maintain playbooks, templates, and messaging governance for outages to drive repeatable execution and brand consistency.
• Monitor and analyze issue and outage communications effectiveness (e.g., stakeholder feedback, channel performance, media coverage) and recommend improvements to process and messaging.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Significant experience leading high-stakes, time-sensitive communications in a complex organization (e.g., incident response, crisis/issues management, corporate communications, or technology communications).
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging for customers, employees, executives, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefing, message discipline, and media-ready writing.
• Proven project management and operational skills with the ability to pivot quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong judgment, analytical skills, and discretion when managing sensitive information and reputational risk.
• Demonstrated experience developing proactive media strategies and story pitches, securing interviews, and preparing spokespeople with succinct messaging and anticipated Q&A.
• Strong ability to build trusted relationships with highly technical teams and convert infrastructure roadmaps, milestones, and performance improvements into audience-relevant narratives for media and external stakeholders.

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:BenefitsBonus Structure

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Requisition #: 342433