Sales Leader, North America’s Tier 1 Communication Service Providers
Top Benefits
About the role
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Blue Planet, a division of Ciena, is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Leader to join our team. This role is ideal for a motivated professional with a proven track record in complex solution selling, particularly within North America’s Tier 1 Communication Service Providers (CSPs). If you are passionate about driving OSS software opportunities, building strategic programs, and fostering customer relationships across IT, Network Engineering, and Operations, we want to hear from you.
Travel Requirement: Frequent travel to customer sites (1x/month).
How You Will Contribute:
- Execute Blue Planet’s GTM sales strategy, managing customer interactions, driving solution-level sales, and engaging decision-makers.
- Accelerate goal attainment and reduce time-to-market while measuring and tracking business results against targets and competition.
- Set and manage expectations to drive long, complex, and high-value sales cycles effectively.
- Build and maintain a robust customer pipeline, optimizing revenue streams and margins.
- Assemble win teams to deliver exceptional customer engagements.
- Cultivate strong relationships across all levels of customer organizations, including Business Units, IT, Network, and Operations.
- Develop commercial proposals and oversee all aspects of client-facing negotiations.
The Must Haves:
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience delivering complex, high-value solutions to Tier 1 customers and executive leadership.
- Strong knowledge of telecom industry technology, infrastructure, network management, automation/orchestration, inventory, and OSS/BSS systems.
- Proven experience working with Rogers, Telus, and Bell.
- Familiarity with CSP products, services, and next-generation offerings.
- Exceptional communication skills, including listening, writing, and presenting to diverse audiences from engineers to CXO-level executives.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to manage concurrent tasks efficiently.
- Proficiency in MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Salesforce.com.
- Proven success in achieving multi-million-dollar annual quotas.
- Minimum BS in a technical field or equivalent experience; MBA preferred.
Nice to Haves:
- Experience influencing global product portfolio roadmaps and marketing plans.
- Ability to work independently with a “can-do” attitude in a dynamic environment.
- Strong integrity and team collaboration skills, respecting and learning from support roles.
#LI-BS1
Pay Range :
The annual pay range for this position is $257,200 - $410,800.
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
Not ready to apply? Join our
Talent Community
to get relevant job alerts straight to your inbox.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.
About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) is a global leader in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to address ever-increasing digital demands for richer, more connected experiences for all users. For three-plus decades, we’ve brought our innate sense of humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. We prioritize deep, collaborative relationships within our teams, and alongside our customers, partners, and communities—local and global.
Sales Leader, North America’s Tier 1 Communication Service Providers
Top Benefits
About the role
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Blue Planet, a division of Ciena, is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Leader to join our team. This role is ideal for a motivated professional with a proven track record in complex solution selling, particularly within North America’s Tier 1 Communication Service Providers (CSPs). If you are passionate about driving OSS software opportunities, building strategic programs, and fostering customer relationships across IT, Network Engineering, and Operations, we want to hear from you.
Travel Requirement: Frequent travel to customer sites (1x/month).
How You Will Contribute:
- Execute Blue Planet’s GTM sales strategy, managing customer interactions, driving solution-level sales, and engaging decision-makers.
- Accelerate goal attainment and reduce time-to-market while measuring and tracking business results against targets and competition.
- Set and manage expectations to drive long, complex, and high-value sales cycles effectively.
- Build and maintain a robust customer pipeline, optimizing revenue streams and margins.
- Assemble win teams to deliver exceptional customer engagements.
- Cultivate strong relationships across all levels of customer organizations, including Business Units, IT, Network, and Operations.
- Develop commercial proposals and oversee all aspects of client-facing negotiations.
The Must Haves:
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience delivering complex, high-value solutions to Tier 1 customers and executive leadership.
- Strong knowledge of telecom industry technology, infrastructure, network management, automation/orchestration, inventory, and OSS/BSS systems.
- Proven experience working with Rogers, Telus, and Bell.
- Familiarity with CSP products, services, and next-generation offerings.
- Exceptional communication skills, including listening, writing, and presenting to diverse audiences from engineers to CXO-level executives.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to manage concurrent tasks efficiently.
- Proficiency in MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Salesforce.com.
- Proven success in achieving multi-million-dollar annual quotas.
- Minimum BS in a technical field or equivalent experience; MBA preferred.
Nice to Haves:
- Experience influencing global product portfolio roadmaps and marketing plans.
- Ability to work independently with a “can-do” attitude in a dynamic environment.
- Strong integrity and team collaboration skills, respecting and learning from support roles.
#LI-BS1
Pay Range :
The annual pay range for this position is $257,200 - $410,800.
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
Not ready to apply? Join our
Talent Community
to get relevant job alerts straight to your inbox.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.
About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) is a global leader in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to address ever-increasing digital demands for richer, more connected experiences for all users. For three-plus decades, we’ve brought our innate sense of humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. We prioritize deep, collaborative relationships within our teams, and alongside our customers, partners, and communities—local and global.