Project Manager, Associate - New Grad

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.

Inspiring Impact. Transformative Results.

At Blue Planet, a division of Ciena, we empower our teams to shape the future of network technology—delivering solutions that truly matter. Our work transforms how people connect, collaborate, and thrive in a digital world.

We believe innovation flourishes in an environment where diversity is embraced, inclusion is celebrated, and every idea is valued. Whether collaborating across the globe or around the table, our success is built on the strength of our people and a culture that encourages curiosity, creativity, and mutual respect. This is the Blue Planet way - where your contributions drive meaningful outcomes for our customers.

Responsibilities

The Blue Planet Associate Project Manager will support and ensure the successful delivery and management of single or multiple Professional Services projects within scope, quality, time and cost constraints that may be clearly defined or may require dynamic change management to deliver business value. 

General Activities (Supervised by a Blue Planet Senior Project Manager)

• Support the Responsibilities of the Project Management (PMO) team to lead, oversee and ensure successful implementation, delivery and management of customer projects within a Customer Solution.  

• Ensure PMO target margins are achieved, contributing to accurate revenue recognition, ensuring committed schedules and deliverables are met, and that projects meet Customer’s expectations for quality and service.

• Review of PMO Portfolio and help to ensure that Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) are being met.

• Identify and schedule project deliverables, milestones, and required activities and tasks.

• Assist in coordinating project team activities and support senior PMs in resource planning. Establish work plan and staffing for project activities, iterations or phases, and arrange for assignment of project personnel.

• Manage the PMO playbook including ways of working, maintenance of key templates.

• Document and communicate project status, obstacles and resolutions to management.

• Perform risk assessment and implement mitigation plans.

• Project Manager may support pre-sales activities, providing project management subject matter expertise and contributing to Customer proposals and RFP responses, as required. 

• Interface across Blue Planet teams and Customer Success teams, GTM, Customer Support, and Finance to ensure project deliverables and financial targets are met.

• May be required to contribute to process management optimization efforts associated with project management

Success will evidence itself in the following ways:

• Ability to support large volume of projects meeting scope requirements and meeting or bettering on-time commitments and financial objectives

• Delivers superior customer experience built on responsiveness and quality

• Demonstrates value of Blue Planet services through superior performance

• Galvanizes project delivery team in unified action and mindset

• Possesses positivity and strong work ethic to ‘”never give up” attitude

• Mature business “customer first” demeanor 

• Attention to detail is critical 

• Recognizes problems and responds constructively

Ideal Profile:                                                                                                                                                                                                  

• Critical Thinking / Analysis- Analyzes Multi-dimensional problems; gathers information over extended periods of time and applies complex concepts to generate possible solutions.

• Judgment - Evaluates complex decisions considering multiple options.

• Decisiveness - Delivers decisions in the face of competing alternatives

• Outstanding planning, scheduling, and coordination skills                                  

• Strong understanding technology, Professional Services and business acumen

• Strong business judgment and ability to think through complex business issues

• Works collaboratively in matrix environment, with many stakeholders               

• Results oriented, Collaborator and Accountable 

• Outstanding verbal and written communications. 

• Ideally Experience with Project Management tools e.g. Microsoft Project, Kantata, Excel, PowerPoint, Salesforce, Jira, Confluence.      

• Knowledge of Software Engineering and software delivery methodologies

Education and Experience:                                                                                                                                                                                                             

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, business or related field 

• Up to 12 months of project management experience (internships, co-ops, or academic projects welcome)

• Work experience strongly preferred                                                               

• Project management certifications (Prince2, PMP, Scrum) are a plus but not required.

• Experience having worked in matrix organization that includes demonstrating strong influencing and collaborative skills across multiple teams                                                                                                                                                

Competencies:  

• Eagerness to learn and develop project management skills

• Strong organizational abilities

• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work in a matrix environment

• Customer-focused attitude and attention to detail

• Excellent communication skills

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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.