Director, Services Innovation & Special Projects

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well‑being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

Create and lead the operating system for Services innovation, including intake, prioritization, experimentation, governance, funding and handoff to portfolio ownership. Direct a team of innovation PLMs and cross‑functional contributors while maintaining clear accountability for decisions, milestones, risk and business outcomes. Lead special projects sponsored by Services leadership where the opportunity is strategic, ambiguous, cross‑portfolio or not yet owned by an established portfolio.

Develop the Services innovation strategy, priorities and portfolio in alignment with Services strategy, technology direction and growth objectives. Establish an innovation pipeline and decision forums with SPLM, Services R&D, Services CTO, Business Development, Finance, delivery and regional stakeholders. Oversee evaluation of addressable market, customer need, strategic fit, feasibility, investment, risk, differentiation and route to market. Direct rapid prototyping, customer co‑creation, pilots and evidence development;

stop, iterate, transfer or scale initiatives based on defined criteria. Own governance of the innovation portfolio, R&D investment recommendations, special‑project plans and executive reporting. Develop and challenge P&Ls and business cases for complex innovation opportunities, pilots and special projects, including revenue potential, cost structure, margin, investment requirements, risks and sensitivities. Maintain ongoing financial tracking across the innovation funnel using relevant P&L and investment KPIs;

provide performance, variance, risk and opportunity reporting as needed. Assess expected and realized revenue, margin, adoption and return after commercialization, and use the evidence to recommend whether initiatives should be continued, scaled, transferred, redirected or stopped. Help direct Innovation and R&D spend by comparing investment requirements, strategic value, commercial potential, expected return and portfolio priorities; formal budget ownership remains with the accountable budget owner.

Ensure tested concepts transition cleanly to an accountable portfolio owner through NSI, commercial readiness, delivery readiness and enablement. Develop team capability, objectives and performance expectations; allocate work and remove cross‑functional barriers. Run horizon scanning and scenario‑planning activities that feed Services strategy and portfolio choices. Maintain visibility of tools and automations being developed across Services to encourage reuse and reduce duplication.

A healthy, transparent innovation funnel with timely evidence‑based decisions. Conversion of priority concepts into scalable services, reusable assets or clear stop decisions. Business value from innovation investments, pilots and special projects. Quality of opportunity P&Ls, business cases, ongoing financial tracking and recommendations on innovation investment and commercialization. Strong cross‑functional participation and clean ownership transitions into the operating portfolio. Effective team leadership, prioritization and development.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration or equivalent relevant experience; advanced degree is an asset. Significant leadership experience in telecommunications services, innovation, portfolio…