Sr Manager Software Business Management

Posted Jan 14

About Lumen

Lumen is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With 450,000 route fiber miles serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure global platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences. Learn more about Lumen’s network, edge cloud, security and communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology

The Role

The Vendor Management Office (VMO) collaborates with Strategic Planning & Transformation (SP&T) partners to manage Lumen’s business activities with software publishers. In an ever-changing industry, we help our stakeholders navigate business relationships and contracts, maximize the value of our agreements, address current and future business needs, mitigate business risks, and align with financial objectives. The Senior Manager leads a team of nine (9) direct reports who partner with the SP&T Software Asset Management (SAM) team to establish a best-in-class approach for software business management. The team manages a ~$190M software expense budget comprised of ~400 renewals, drives the annual renewal process, and partners with SP&T members and Procurement to negotiate new purchases. These teams engage in a wide range of vendor-related issues.

The Main Responsibilities

  • Leads an experienced team of nine (9) business and technology professionals to develop and implement best-in-class practices for software business considerations (e.g., contractual, financial, licensing, operational); adapt practices to industry evolution.
  • Leads software vendor analysts who participate in software transactions, negotiations, and purchasing-related activities to maximize contract value while mitigating business, operational, and contractual risks:
  • New purchases and enterprise agreements (~50 major transactions annually, ~$100M value)
  • Renewals (~400 annually)
  • Merger, acquisition, and divestiture due diligence (e.g., contract consolidation, license optimization, assignments, achieve synergies and mitigate dis-synergies)
  • Manages ~$190M annual budget for software expenses:
  • Develops budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses to support corporate reporting cycles; raises on timely basis risks that jeopardize savings targets and proposes mitigation plans.
  • Coordinates the calendar of ~400 software renewals for subscriptions, maintenance, and cloud consumption.
  • Drives due diligence process and reviews to ensure that (1) decisions are based upon balanced analysis of cost, risk, and benefits, (2) renewals are completed on a timely basis to meet contractual and operational requirements, (3) the portfolio of approved renewals align with overall budget targets.
  • Coordinates transaction reviews with Corporate Finance to ensure proper accounting and tax treatment.
  • Leads a cross-matrixed team of offshore developers who enhance and maintain a proprietary application for budget and renewal management.
  • Manages the accurate and timely processing of software transactions within Lumen’s purchasing and ERP systems (i.e., Ariba and SAP). Key activities: purchase requisition creation and approvals, goods receipts, and invoice escalations.
  • Fosters a culture of continuous improvement for the efficiency of team operations and the effectiveness of negotiated agreements.
  • Manages issues and escalations related to vendor contracts and performance.
  • Provides executive summaries that highlight strategy, risks, successes, and concessions.
  • Other duties as assigned.

What We Look For in a Candidate

  • Ability to manage a large portfolio of concurrent business activities, often with conflicting goals (e.g., budget, near-term deadline, long-term risk)
  • Experience negotiating complex business-to-business transactions for IT-related services and products
  • Experience with software asset management lifecycle (e.g., negotiation, inventory management, audits, reporting, maintenance)
  • Strong financial management skills (budgets and forecasts, transaction processing, accounting treatment, sales tax assessment)
  • Strong communication skills (spoken and written; internal and external audiences; multiple levels of the organization; variety of corporate functions)
  • Strong understanding of Information Technology business drivers (e.g., development projects, operations, technology)
  • Strong analytical skills (large data sets, complex contracts, financial impacts, contractual terms, and conditions)
  • Ability to influence stakeholders across a large organization to adopt common processes and best practices
  • Strong process management skills (scalable solutions, root cause analysis, key performance indicators, customer focus, balancing repeatable efficiencies and differentiated requirements),
  • Issue management; escalations
  • Ability to lead a team through change, whether driven by external markets or internal organization decisions

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, MIS, or other related fields; 5 years of experience

Preferred

Master’s Degree with 10 years of experience

What to Expect Next

Based on your job application information you may be given the opportunity to complete a video interview immediately after applying. This will include a set of questions for you to record a response to in addition to Game Challenges. Completion of this video interview is a requirement in order to be considered for our open position. Now not a good time? No worries, we will also send you an email with a link to complete the video interview. We strongly recommend that you complete this within 5 days of your application date.

Requisition #: 324875

When applying for a position, you may be subject to a background screen (criminal records check, motor vehicle report, and/or drug screen), depending on the requirements for the position. More information on what’s included in these checks can be found in the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns noted in the background screen may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement

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, 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.

NOTE:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Disclaimer

The above job definition information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on changing business needs and conditions.

Salary Range

Salary Min :

100440

Salary Max :

223680

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.

This position is eligible for either short-term incentives or sales compensation. Director and VP positions also are eligible for long-term incentive. To learn more about our bonus structure, you can view additional information . We're able to answer any additional questions you may have as you move through the selection process.

As part of our comprehensive benefits package, Lumen offers a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle and other benefits and perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.

Note: For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions.