Director, Change Management

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.Reporting to the Chief Transformation Officer, theDirector,Change Managementwill lead the organizational change discipline, acting asastrategic influencerthataccelerates adoptionof new processes,technologiesand ways of workingand drives lasting transformationacross functions.The ETO is the catalyst for enterprise-wide change, ensuring transformation initiatives deliver measurable outcomes andembedsustainable behaviors. The Director of Change Management will design and execute strategies that minimize disruption, accelerate adoption, and foster a culture of agility and continuous improvement. Key ResponsibilitiesChange Strategy & PlanningDevelop and implement a comprehensive change management strategy for enterprise transformationinitiativesinclusive ofmethodology,standardsand toolkits.Align change plans with corporate strategy and transformation roadmap; ensure initiatives support strategic pillars and long-termobjectives. Proactivelyidentifypotential change resistance and adoption challengesandactively prepareforlikely roadblocks, through environmental scans or predictive analytics.Stakeholder EngagementConduct stakeholder impact assessments; create engagement plans to secure sponsorship and commitment.Build coalitions across executive leadership and functional teams to remove barriers and sustain alignment. Provideexpert guidance on change impacts, readiness, and strategies to ensure successful adoption of transformation initiatives across their respective functions.Communication & EnablementDesign and deliver clear, compelling communication programs that articulate the “why,” “what,” and “how” oftransformation activitiesto key stakeholders.Works side by side with Corporate Communicationson enterprise-level communicationsto ensure strategic alignment. Develop training and upskilling initiatives to help employees adopt new processes, technologies, and behaviors. Champion the use of andleverageinnovative communication channels and digital adoption tools to enhance reach, engagement, and effectiveness of change enablement.Establish and empower internal networks of change champions within different business units to amplify change messages, gather feedback, and support local adoption efforts.Governance & IntegrationEmbed change checkpoints into ETO governance (tollgates, steering committees); ensure readiness criteria are met before go-live.Partner withETO staffto integrate change activities into prioritization and intake processes. Identify, assess, and develop mitigation strategies for risks associated with organizational change, including cultural resistance, technology adoption issues, and business disruption.Measurement & SustainmentLeverage advanced analytics and feedback loops toidentifytrends and continuouslyoptimizechange interventionsutilizingdata insights to iterate on strategies,identifyroot causes of resistance, and improve future change initiatives.Define KPIs for adoption and behavioralchange;track progress andreport toleadership.Play a key role inpost-implementationreviews;ensuringsustainment plans “hold the gains” and prevent regressionfrom a change management perspective. Qualifications & ExperienceSignificant experiencein organizational change management, transformation, or related roles within complex, global enterprises.Proven ability to design and execute change strategies for large-scale initiativesimpactingmultiple functions.Expertise instakeholder engagement, communication planning, and training program development.Strong understanding of transformation governance, portfolio management, and strategic alignment.Bachelor’s degreerequired; advanced degree or certifications (e.g.,Prosci, ACMP, PMP) preferred. Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as needed.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 ourto 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.