Sales Director

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities. At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter. This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today. The Role Lumen is seeking technical AI leaders to drive the development and delivery of high-impact AI solutions across the enterprise. As Director, Applied AI Solutions, you will partner with business, product, engineering, and technology leaders to identify opportunities, shape AI strategies, and deliver scalable solutions that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and business outcomes. You will lead a team of Applied AI Scientists while serving as a hands‑on technical authority across AI architecture, experimentation, model evaluation, agentic systems, and production deployment. This role combines deep AI expertise, product thinking, and leadership to translate emerging AI capabilities into measurable business value. What You'll Do Lead AI strategy, execution, and outcomes for assigned business workstreams. Partner with leaders to identify, prioritize, and shape high-value AI opportunities. Guide technical decisions across machine learning, agentic AI, retrieval systems, evaluation, safety, reliability, and cost. Drive rapid experimentation, productization, and enterprise‑scale deployment of AI solutions. Build and lead a high‑performing team of Applied AI Scientists. Establish best practices, frameworks, and operational mechanisms that accelerate AI adoption across Lumen. Required Qualifications 10+ years of experience in AI, machine learning, applied science, or related disciplines. 5+ years leading AI, machine learning, or multidisciplinary technical teams. Proven experience delivering AI solutions from concept through production with measurable business impact. Strong expertise in machine learning, statistics, experimentation, model evaluation, and agentic AI systems. Hands‑on experience with modern AI technologies including LLMs, RAG, orchestration frameworks, MLOps/LLMOps, and Python‑based ML ecosystems. Ability to balance technical depth, product strategy, and stakeholder leadership in fast‑paced environments. Exceptional communication and influencing skills with executive and technical audiences. Preferred qualifications Master’s or PhD in computer science, AI, machine learning, statistics, operations research, or related field. Experience operating AI solutions at enterprise scale or in regulated, security‑sensitive environments. Experience building reusable AI foundations, evaluation platforms, governance, and enterprise knowledge systems. This is an opportunity to help shape Lumen’s AI future by leading teams that transform cutting‑edge AI innovation into scalable business impact. 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 $202,755 - $253,444 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 WY $212,893 - $266,116 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI $223,031 - $278,789 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA 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. Benefits ( Bonus Structure #LI-REMOTE #LI-SB1 Life at Lumen Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes. Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win. To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit: 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. Privacy Notice Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data. To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit: 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr