Job description

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 Director, API Governance & Enablement will establish and lead Lumen’s Enterprise API Office. This leader will create the governance, standards, and operating model needed to make APIs consistent, reusable, discoverable, and easier to consume. Working closely with Product, Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Data Governance, Connected Ecosystem, Sales, Marketing, AGT, and Partner Channel teams, the Director will enable a consistent approach to API planning, development, launch, and lifecycle management. Product Management will continue to own customer needs, priorities, and roadmap decisions, while this role provides the structure and accountability needed to turn those priorities into scalable enterprise capabilities. Location This is a remote opportunity open to candidates located anywhere in the U.S. The Main Responsibilities • Establish and lead Lumen’s Enterprise API Office, including its governance model, decision forums, operating cadence, and performance measures. • Build and maintain the enterprise API roadmap in partnership with Product, Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, and Connected Ecosystem leaders. • Define and operationalize API standards, lifecycle controls, intake processes, and launch-readiness criteria. • Create a consistent engagement model between Product and Engineering for planning, designing, delivering, and managing APIs. • Ensure APIs are reusable, discoverable, documented, supported, and built on trusted data from foundational domains such as Customer, Account, Contract, Order, and Billing. • Partner with Engineering and Enterprise Architecture to embed API standards and automated controls into development practices. • Coordinate with Sales, Marketing, AGT, Partner Channel, and Connected Ecosystem teams to communicate available capabilities, planned releases, and launch readiness. • Lead API training, enablement, and communities of practice to increase adoption, reuse, and consistent execution. • Establish metrics and executive reporting for API maturity, adoption, reuse, readiness, and value realization. • Build and lead a high-performing team while driving accountability and collaboration across a highly matrixed organization. What We Look For in a Candidate • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. • 10+ years of experience in API management, platform strategy, enterprise architecture, product enablement, technology strategy, or a related discipline. • 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and leading enterprise-wide initiatives. • Experience establishing governance frameworks, centers of excellence, or cross-functional operating models. • Demonstrated ability to influence Product, Engineering, Architecture, and business leaders in a matrixed organization. • Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills. Preferred Qualifications • Experience establishing or leading an API governance, API platform, or developer enablement capability. • Knowledge of API lifecycle management, API-first practices, REST standards, OpenAPI specifications, and developer experience. • Experience with API management, catalog, governance, or automation platforms. • Familiarity with TM Forum standards, digital ecosystems, partner integrations, or telecommunications architecture. • Experience leading enterprise training, adoption, and enablement programs. Compensation This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors. Location Based Pay Ranges $152,066 - $202,755 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY $159,670 - $212,893 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI $167,273 - $223,031 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process. Learn more about Lumen's: Benefits Bonus Structure Requisition #: 343408 Life at Lumen Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes. Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win. To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit: jobs.lumen.com Background Screening If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Equal Employment Opportunities We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training. Privacy Notice Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data. To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit: jobs.lumen.com Disclaimer The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.

Requirements

Must-haves

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 remote opportunity open to candidates located anywhere in the U.S.
The Main Responsibilities
Establish and lead Lumen’s Enterprise API Office, including its governance model, decision forums, operating cadence, and performance measures.
Build and maintain the enterprise API roadmap in partnership with Product, Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, and Connected Ecosystem leaders.
Define and operationalize API standards, lifecycle controls, intake processes, and launch-readiness criteria.
Create a consistent engagement model between Product and Engineering for planning, designing, delivering, and managing APIs.
Ensure APIs are reusable, discoverable, documented, supported, and built on trusted data from foundational domains such as Customer, Account, Contract, Order, and Billing.
Partner with Engineering and Enterprise Architecture to embed API standards and automated controls into development practices.
Coordinate with Sales, Marketing, AGT, Partner Channel, and Connected Ecosystem teams to communicate available capabilities, planned releases, and launch readiness.
Lead API training, enablement, and communities of practice to increase adoption, reuse, and consistent execution.
Establish metrics and executive reporting for API maturity, adoption, reuse, readiness, and value realization.
Build and lead a high-performing team while driving accountability and collaboration across a highly matrixed organization.
What We Look For in a Candidate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
10+ years of experience in API management, platform strategy, enterprise architecture, product enablement, technology strategy, or a related discipline.
5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and leading enterprise-wide initiatives.
Experience establishing governance frameworks, centers of excellence, or cross-functional operating models.
Demonstrated ability to influence Product, Engineering, Architecture, and business leaders in a matrixed organization.

Nice-to-haves

Experience establishing or leading an API governance, API platform, or developer enablement capability.
Knowledge of API lifecycle management, API-first practices, REST standards, OpenAPI specifications, and developer experience.
Experience with API management, catalog, governance, or automation platforms.
Familiarity with TM Forum standards, digital ecosystems, partner integrations, or telecommunications architecture.
Experience leading enterprise training, adoption, and enablement programs.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

aiapirest

Platform: eightfold
Effort: medium