Role overview

Qualifications

5+ years of total professional experience
Prior experience in service delivery, project management, or service coordination roles
Hands-on experience as a network engineer with background in optical transport and DWDM / Layer 0 / Layer 1 technologies
Ability to operate with delivery ownership in early-stage engagements and collaborate across time zones and multicultural teams

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end service delivery alignment between customer expectations and internal delivery capabilities
Coordinate scope definition, planning, execution tracking, and cross-functional resource engagement
Drive delivery execution within the agreed scope while managing risk, cost, and efficiency; communicate status to customers and internal stakeholders
Contribute delivery and technical input during presales discussions to validate feasibility and shape the delivery approach

Key facts

Remote from: Africa
Full time
Senior (5-10 years)
Service Delivery Manager
English

Hard skills

Service Management Risk Management Delivery Performance Stakeholder Communications Customer Engagement Presales Execution Management Systems Service Management Project Management Cost Management Commercialization Feasibility Studies

Other skills

Accountability
Teamwork
Communication

About the company

Ciena

Telecommunication Services

Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) is a global leader in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to address ever-increasing digital demands for richer, more connected experiences for all users. For three-plus decades, we’ve brought our innate sense of humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. We prioritize deep, collaborative relationships within our teams, and alongside our customers, partners, and communities—local and global.

Company details

Company typeXLarge

IndustryTelecommunication Services

Company size5001 - 10000

Links

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Job description

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.

Service Delivery Manager – Africa

Role Overview:

We are seeking a Service Delivery Manager with a strong Network Engineering background to support customer engagements, presales activities, and service delivery development within MEA Region (Middle East & Africa). The primary focus of the role is service delivery ownership and coordination, ensuring that customer engagements are well‑structured, deliverable, and aligned with business objectives.

A solid technical foundation in network engineering is mandatory, as the role requires the ability to understand, challenge, and shape technical solutions, particularly during early customer discussions and presales activities. This is a hands‑on delivery‑oriented role, not a pure Project Manager nor a pure Network Engineer, but a balanced profile combining:

Delivery ownership
Technical credibility
Commercial awarenes

How you will make an impact:

Own end-to-end service delivery alignment between customer expectations and internal delivery capabilities
Coordinate scope definition, planning, execution tracking, and cross-functional resource engagement
Drive delivery execution within agreed scope while managing risk, cost awareness, and efficiency
Communicate delivery status, risks, and dependencies to customers and internal stakeholders
Contribute delivery and technical input during presales discussions to validate feasibility and delivery approach
Bridge engineering teams, delivery stakeholders, and customer-facing functions to ensure solution deliverability
Apply network engineering background to challenge and shape proposed technical solutions

The must haves:

Experience:

5 + years of total professional experience
Prior experience in service delivery, project management, or service coordination roles
Previous hands-on experience as a network engineer
Application of network lifecycle activities including design, deployment, migration, and validation
Background in optical transport and networking environments such as DWDM and Layer 0/Layer 1 technologies
Experience interacting with customers, cross-functional delivery teams, and engineering resources
Ability to operate with delivery ownership in early-stage engagements where structure may be evolving
Capacity to balance technical discussions, delivery planning, and commercial considerations
Ability to work autonomously in a remote environment with accountability for outcomes
Experience collaborating across time zones and multicultural teams

Nice to haves:

Exposure to RFx response contributions from a service delivery perspective
Experience providing delivery input to presales proposals
Background supporting smaller-scale engagements with limited technical execution involvement

#LI-ST1

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.

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