The Partner Manager role focuses on managing service partner relationships to enhance delivery performance and cost competitiveness in the Middle East and Africa.
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.
For more than 25 years, Ciena has been the global leader in high-speed connectivity, enabling adaptive networks that power the world’s most advanced digital experiences. This Partner Manager role sits at the center of Ciena’s service delivery model across the Middle East and Africa, shaping how customers experience Ciena through its trusted service partners. The role offers high visibility, regional ownership, and the opportunity to directly influence delivery quality, cost competitiveness, and partner maturity at scale.
How you will make an impact:
• Own and govern service partner relationships across assigned Middle East and Africa countries, driving performance aligned with Ciena standards
• Lead partner delivery performance management, including service-level agreements (SLAs), quality metrics, and operational escalations
• Drive cost competitiveness through request for quotation (RFQ) execution, pricing analysis, negotiation, and continuous improvement
• Ensure consistent adherence to Ciena delivery processes, quality frameworks, and governance models
• Conduct structured business reviews with partners and internal stakeholders across Customer Operations, Quality, and Procurement
• Anticipate delivery risks through data-driven insight and lead proactive mitigation plans
• Provide regional market intelligence to inform partner strategy, pricing trends, and capacity planning
• Lead partner delivery performance management, including service-level agreements (SLAs), quality metrics, and operational escalations
• Drive cost competitiveness through request for quotation (RFQ) execution, pricing analysis, negotiation, and continuous improvement
• Ensure consistent adherence to Ciena delivery processes, quality frameworks, and governance models
• Conduct structured business reviews with partners and internal stakeholders across Customer Operations, Quality, and Procurement
• Anticipate delivery risks through data-driven insight and lead proactive mitigation plans
• Provide regional market intelligence to inform partner strategy, pricing trends, and capacity planning
The must haves:
• 2–5 years of experience in partner management, vendor management, service delivery, or operations within telecommunications or a comparable technical services environment
• Demonstrated commercial acumen, including RFQs, pricing evaluation, and cost management
• Proven ability to manage partner performance using key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and trend analysis
• Experience leading delivery escalations and driving timely, effective resolution
• Strong relationship management skills across internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment
• Clear, structured, and confident written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated commercial acumen, including RFQs, pricing evaluation, and cost management
• Proven ability to manage partner performance using key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and trend analysis
• Experience leading delivery escalations and driving timely, effective resolution
• Strong relationship management skills across internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment
• Clear, structured, and confident written and verbal communication skills
Nice to haves:
• Experience managing service partners across multiple Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) countries
• Knowledge of telecom installation, deployment, field services, or maintenance environments
• Familiarity with partner governance models, performance scorecards, or maturity frameworks
• Exposure to contract interpretation, commercial terms, or services policy environments
• Multilingual capability, particularly in European or regional languages
• Knowledge of telecom installation, deployment, field services, or maintenance environments
• Familiarity with partner governance models, performance scorecards, or maturity frameworks
• Exposure to contract interpretation, commercial terms, or services policy environments
• Multilingual capability, particularly in European or regional languages
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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.
Ciena London, England Office
43 Worship Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2
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