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 At Lumen, we’re building the next-generation digital infrastructure that connects people, data, and applications—fast, secure, and everywhere. As a Contract Manager, 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: 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. Learn more about Lumen's: Benefits Bonus Structure #LI-Remote #LI-PB1 Requisition #: 342386 Background Screening If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Equal Employment Opportunities We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training. Disclaimer The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name. Job Segment: Manager, Telecom, Telecommunications, Data Center, Work from Home, Management, Technology, Contract