Account Director Senior - Public Sector Business Development

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 
 The Business Development Account Director is accountable for developing and implementing the overall market penetration and growth strategy. They will work in close cooperation with internal and external teams to develop winning strategies and multiple strategic alternatives to solve customer problems through competitive positioning. Identifies potential teaming partners to enhance Lumen's value proposition. The Main Responsibilities 
 The Business Development Account Director will gain a firm comprehension of the customer's requirements, long term objectives, hot buttons, and effectively communicates those goals to the internal Lumen groups, to better meet the eventual SOW’s (including product enhancements, pricing initiatives, and partnerships). They understand the strengths/weaknesses of our competitors in order to create/develop strategies that highlight strengths and mitigate weaknesses. They are actively involved in executing responses to complex and challenging problems,   Essential Duties : Actively participate in industry associations, facilitates agency/industry meetings for awareness of best practice solutions, and demonstrates value to Lumen through increased awareness, bid opportunities, and win effectiveness Contribute to scheduling of meetings for Lumen Executive Leadership with executives at assigned government organizations Develop and communicate prioritized list of strategic opportunities for target government organizations and briefs senior management on high dollar opportunities Develops and maintains milestones and metrics for presentation to management that measure the progress of strategic plans, projects, and programs against organizational goals and objectives Promote and position Lumen services and solutions through direct and indirect existing contracts, new customer contracts, and teaming opportunities Identifies, qualifies and develops a pipeline of strategic opportunities and growth strategy to achieve annual new business objectives Leads preparation of initial gate reviews and supports capture and proposal efforts throughout the opportunity lifecycle Penetrates target agencies/organizations as assigned and other supporting agencies/organizations to uncover longer term opportunities. Broadens and deepens existing customer relationships to gain strategic positioning, retain existing revenue, and attain additional business. Develops proposals for presentation to customers. Coordinates account resources with representatives from marketing, pre-sales engineering, and product management. Establishes trust, rapport and creditability with client organizations senior leadership and operational managers What We Look For in a Candidate 
 SLED telecommunications, carrier, hardware or network services sales/BD experience required within the last 12 months 7-10 years experience working within the SLED sector, with a minimum 5 years sales/business development experience calling on government/education organizations required Extensive knowledge of wireline telecommunications technologies and recurring revenue business models Knowledge of respective acquisition / procurement policies Ability to articulate