Contract Manager - Strategic

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.

The Role of a Contract Manager - Strategic

At Lumen, we’re building the next-generation digital infrastructure that connects people, data, and applications—fast, secure, and everywhere. As a Contract Manager - Strategic, you’ll be at the heart of this transformation, driving smart vendor agreements that fuel our network expansion and cost efficiency across North America.

This isn’t just contract management—it’s strategic enablement. You’ll help shape how Lumen deploys colocation space and power, ensuring our network remains agile, scalable, and cost-effective.

Location

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

The Main Responsibilities

• Negotiate new and renewal agreements with top-tier data center operators.
• Coordinate delivery of space and power to support Lumen’s high-performance network.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure alignment with service expectations.
• Improve vendor relationships and drive operational excellence.
• Communicate vendor capabilities to internal teams and track delivery.
• Manage spend and track impact on network and operating budgets.
• Align vendor activity with Lumen’s buying plans and revenue commitments.
• Support strategic projects that advance Lumen’s network footprint.

What We Look For in a Candidate (Required)

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent typically with 2-4 years or 0-1 years with a Master's Degree
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent time management and prioritization
• Proven relationship-building and negotiation skills
• Problem-solving mindset with business acumen
• Adaptability and innovation in dynamic environments
• Clear communicator with presentation skills
• Background in contract/vendor management
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Office proficiency
• Experience working cross-functionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, legal, finance, or related field
• Experience in 3rd Party Collocation
• Exposure to telecom, financial, or legal operations

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

$56,420 - $75,225 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, and WY.

$59,240 - $78,987 in these states: CO, HI, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, OR, and RI.

$62,061 - $82,748 in these states: AK, CA, CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, TX, VA, and 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.

Key skills/competency

• Contract Negotiation
• Vendor Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Data Center Operations
• Cost Efficiency
• Network Expansion
• Relationship Building
• Analytical Skills
• Microsoft Excel
• Cross-functional Collaboration