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Director, GCC Operational Excellence
full-timeOttawa, Baltimore$138k - $221k

Summary

Location

Ottawa, Baltimore

Salary

$138k - $221k (CAD)

Type

full-time

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About this role

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.

How You Will Contribute

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP and GCC Leadership Team, aligning operational priorities with organizational goals and driving strategic leadership initiatives.
  • Supported by your Business Operations team, you will lead the operating cadence of the organization, managing financial and non-financial performance metrics and reporting on annual, quarterly, and monthly bases.
  • Oversee strategic business initiatives from development through execution, including program management for critical initiatives and organizational change management through the Transformation Board.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement by introducing AI and automation to streamline processes and optimize GCC workflows.
  • Lead workforce planning, including capacity modeling, headcount planning, and budget management, ensuring alignment with strategic outlooks and organizational priorities.
  • Manage financial operations, including vendor expense budgets, partnering with FP&A functions to ensure compliance, accuracy, and operational efficiency.
  • Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools for visibility into key metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making and near real-time availability.
  • Oversee Quality Management and Knowledge Management practices to enhance GCC staff efficiency and customer self-service capabilities.

This role requires a hybrid work model. Candidates located within a reasonable distance of a Ciena office must be willing to work from the office 60% to 80% of the time. Flexibility will be considered based on individual circumstances and business needs.

The Must Haves

  • Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in a relevant field or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in business operations, with proven financial expertise in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
  • Demonstrated people management experience, including leading teams, fostering collaboration, and driving alignment across organizational levels, geographies, and cultures.
  • Advanced proficiency in tools like Excel for managing complex data sets and financial analysis.
  • Exceptional analytical and technical skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and prioritize effectively.
  • Strong presentation and communication skills, capable of influencing and collaborating across organizational levels.
  • Proven track record of strategic thinking and aligning operational priorities with organizational objectives.

Nice to Haves

  • Experience introducing AI and automation to streamline processes.
  • Expertise in managing multi-million-dollar vendor expense budgets and partnering with FP&A functions.
  • Familiarity with Business Continuity Planning (BCP) to ensure organizational resilience.
  • Ability to create and manage communications content for presentations, All Hands meetings, and leadership sessions.
  • Experience fostering collaboration across diverse functions, geographies, and cultures.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
  • Above-average knowledge of tools such as Anaplan, Workday, Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft 365 (particularly PowerPoint) and to a lesser extent Kantata. Comfort in dealing with large amounts of data is highly beneficial.
  • Familiarity with data-driven tools and workflows is advantageous.

#LI-BS1

Pay Range

The annual pay range for this position in Canada is C$138,600- C$221,400.

The annual pay range for this position in US is $156,300- $249,700.

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.

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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.

Other facts

Tech stack
Business Operations,Financial Expertise,People Management,Collaboration,Strategic Thinking,Analytical Skills,Technical Skills,Presentation Skills,Communication Skills,AI Implementation,Automation,Budget Management,Data-Driven Decision Making,Quality Management,Knowledge Management,Capacity Modeling

About Ciena

Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) is the global leader in high-speed connectivity. We build adaptive networks to support exponential growth in bandwidth demand—empowering our customers, partners, and communities to thrive in the AI era. With unparalleled expertise and innovation, our networking systems, interconnects, automation software, and services revolutionize data transmission and network management.

Team size: 5,001-10,000 employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Telecommunications
Founding Year: 1992

What you'll do

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP and GCC Leadership Team, aligning operational priorities with organizational goals. Oversee strategic business initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement through AI and automation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ciena pay for a Director, GCC Operational Excellence?

Ciena offers a competitive compensation package for the Director, GCC Operational Excellence role. The salary range is CAD 139k - 221k per year. Apply through Clera to learn more about the full compensation details.

What does a Director, GCC Operational Excellence do at Ciena?

As a Director, GCC Operational Excellence at Ciena, you will: serve as a trusted advisor to the VP and GCC Leadership Team, aligning operational priorities with organizational goals. Oversee strategic business initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement through AI and automation..

Why join Ciena as a Director, GCC Operational Excellence?

Ciena is a leading Telecommunications company. The Director, GCC Operational Excellence role offers competitive compensation.

Is the Director, GCC Operational Excellence position at Ciena remote?

The Director, GCC Operational Excellence position at Ciena is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Director, GCC Operational Excellence position at Ciena?

You can apply for the Director, GCC Operational Excellence position at Ciena directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Ciena on their website.