# Principal, IT Strategy & Operations Manager

## About the Role
The Principal, IT Strategy & Operations Manager is a senior individual contributor role focused on shaping IT strategy and translating technology investments into business value. This position works closely with Technology VPs, Finance, business leaders, and external partners to ensure disciplined execution of IT strategies and effective governance. By combining strategic planning with hands-on financial operations, the role aims to drive cloud program management through budgeting, forecasting, and executive reporting.

This position emphasizes the importance of operational efficiency by exploring opportunities related to AI, automation, and analytics, thus enhancing productivity across the organization. The Principal will take ownership of managing cloud budget operations while ensuring alignment with corporate financial planning requirements.

## Key Responsibilities
– Define transformation priorities and future-state capabilities in collaboration with Technology VPs.
– Identify opportunities for IT to improve customer outcomes and operational performance.
– Manage cloud program budgets, forecasts, and funding requests, maintaining alignment with the Lumen Transformation Office and Financial Planning.
– Oversee professional services funding requests, procurement processes, and maintain contract-level forecasts.
– Develop and maintain executive dashboards, scorecards, and portfolio reporting.
– Provide in-depth cloud spend analysis across multiple cloud providers including AWS, Microsoft, and Google.
– Execute cross-functional follow-through on priorities, risks, and actions to improve financial controls and operations.

## Required Skills
– 12+ years of experience in IT strategy, technology finance, or related fields.
– Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
– Strong financial acumen in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and business case development.
– Knowledge of cloud economics, FinOps, and procurement processes.
– Proven ability to connect technology strategy to business outcomes and revenue impact.
– Experience influencing senior leadership and coordinating across diverse teams.
– Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

## Preferred Skills
– Experience with dashboards, AI applications, and process automation.

## Cloud Platforms & Technologies
– **Cloud Providers:** AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud
– **FinOps Platforms:** Not explicitly mentioned
– **Collaboration Tools:** Not explicitly mentioned

## FinOps Responsibilities
– Manage cloud budget operations and provide insights through detailed cloud-spend analysis.
– Reconcile cloud-management data with provider invoices and maintain commitment-attainment reporting.

## Benefits
– Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
– Voluntary lifestyle benefits.
– Additional perks supporting physical, mental, and financial well-being.

## Useful Links
– [Company Website](https://www.lumen.com)

## Why You Might Be Interested
This opportunity offers a strategic role where you can significantly impact IT operations, driving both efficiency and value through innovative financial and technological strategies. The position allows for collaboration with senior leaders across various functions while simultaneously engaging in the hands-on management of cloud programs.