Senior Lead Project Controls Specialist

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you'll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what's next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you're ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today.

** The Role*
* As a Sr Lead Project Controls Specialist **,
** you will play a critical role in steering strategic program management within the Custom Networks organization. This position demands a high initiative-taking and purposeful approach, as you also collaborate across key business units such as operations, finance, product, strategy, and sales to ensure precise forecasting, and measure impactful outcomes.
This role is critical for steering strategic program management where you will provide governance and insight, owning the integrated view of schedule, cost, and risk to ensure delivery against customer and business commitments. You turn complex deployment data into clear forecasts and decisions, drive early risk mitigation and escalations, and align cross-functional teams to deliver predictable, on-time, on-budget outcomes.

** Location*
* This is a work from home position within the U.S.

** The Main Responsibilities*
* + Own end-to-end deployment program governance, ensuring schedule, scope, cost, and customer commitments are met across Custom Networks.

+ Act as the single source of truth for deployment status, risks, and forward-looking confidence.

+ Drive structured risk analysis, root-cause investigation, and mitigation planning through all stages of deployment; escalate risks early with clear options and recommendations.

+ Govern deployment data integrity, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment between schedule data, deployment intent, and business commitments.

+ Leverage analytics, trends, and predictive insights to inform leadership decisions on sequencing, priorities, and trade-offs; translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.

+ Partner closely with Cost Controls to monitor budgets, forecasts, risks, and variances; assess financial impacts associated with schedule shifts, change requests, incentives, and penalties.

+ Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, regional teams, and cross-functional partners, drive alignment across regions and functions toward common priorities and expectations.

+ Lead deployment change impact management, ensuring stakeholders understand what is changing, why it matters, and required actions.

+ Deliver clear, concise, audience-tailored communications on progress, risks, escalations, and successes; ensure actions, owners, and due dates are defined and tracked.

+ Identify systemic pain points and bottlenecks; drive process improvements, lessons learned, and standardization across deployment programs.

+ Champion modern tools, automation, and AI-enabled insights to improve efficiency, predictability, and decision-making.

+ Set clear standards, coach best practices, and foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and growth.

** What We Look For in a Candidate*
* + Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, and analytical thinking capabilities.

+ Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

+ Over 5 years of experience in project controls, capable of managing high value and complex projects.

+ Proficient in managing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

+ Advanced proficiency with standard Project/Program Management and Agile methodologies.

+ Strong command of tools such as MS Office Suite, One Vizion project tracking, and Power BI.

** 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    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…