Lead Analyst, OPEX Finance

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 looking for top-tier talent and offer the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Join us as we digitally connect the world and shape the future.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Lead Analyst to oversee Operating Expenses (OPEX) for our business unit. This position plays a pivotal role in supporting multiple teams and driving financial insight across the organization. Reporting to the OPEX Manager, the Lead Analyst will serve as a strategic finance partner, supporting teams with accurate reporting, analysis, and guidance to enhance operational efficiency and decision‑making.

• Work closely with business to provide actionable OPEX insights and reporting
• Lead monthly forecasting and budgeting processes for various operating expenses
• Prepare and deliver financial performance reports for business unit leadership
• Develop and manage productivity models and capacity planning frameworks to guide resource allocation and headcount decisions
• Deep financial analysis, model and report creation, insight generation and business partner communication; high acumen in modeling financial outcomes, utilizing multiple inputs and data tools
• Partner with business leadership and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, delivery of commitments, and accurate and timely deliverables
• Creation and simplification of standardized reporting and outputs, through various tools such as Excel, SAC, Power BI and Power Query

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis
• Strong understanding of OPEX categories including commissions, productivity, and capitalized labor.
• Proven ability to take high level direction and produce results which show thought leadership and drive value creation for the business with limited supervision
• Savvy in solving complicated data and analytical challenges – evolves reporting and analysis to guide business and drive impact more effectively (individually and through team members)
• Thrives on continuous improvement - simplifying and automating processes and data using technology, while taking a hands‑on approach to getting into the details
• A strong communicator with business partnering background and a proven track record at building relationships with stakeholders
• Self‑motivated; manages and prioritizes multiple deadlines and deliverables.
• Creative approach to problem solving, with a predisposition to look for root causes and implement lasting change rather than quick fixes.
• Attention to detail – spots underlying trends and inconsistencies in financial data and analysis.
• Skilled in advanced Microsoft Excel functionality (experience with SAC, Power Query, SQL or Power BI a significant advantage)

• Experience with analytic and business intelligence software (SAC, Essbase, Power BI)
• Develop and deliver executive‑level PowerPoint presentations to communicate financial insights and strategic recommendations
• Ability to communicate data‑driven insights through charts and visuals
• Understanding of data manipulation and analytical tools such as SQL, Power BI or Power Query
• Previous business partnering experience within the Technology industry would be advantageous
• Strong Commercial or Business Finance background

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.

$84,629 - $112,838 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA  KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY

$88,860 - $118,480 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$93,092 - $124,122 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

Lumen…