Associate Director, AI Connect Solutions Architecture

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Establish the vision and implement the comprehensive customer design ownership model for AI Connect, Dark Fiber, Lit Fiber/Wave, and Edge Data Centers.

• Oversee architects and sales engineers who support Verizon's most significant strategic clients within a multi-billion-dollar portfolio.

• Foster bookings and achieve quota objectives.

• Manage the customer design lifecycle from initial discovery through to order, hand-off, build tracking, and activation.

• Ensure governance of design and hand-off standards to align sold scope, timeline, and budget with delivered outcomes.

• Minimize rework, change orders, and time to revenue.

• Conduct customer health checks and delivery readiness assessments.

• Address issues across Sales, Network Planning, Construction, Right-of-Way, and Operations.

• Guide opportunity teams to synchronize customer strategy, processes, and IT assets.

• Create executive presentations, technical narratives, competitive positioning, and multi-stakeholder account strategies.

• Develop business cases, ROI and cost models, ensuring that designs adhere to pricing and delivery capabilities.

• Implement automation and delegate low-value tasks.

• Recruit, mentor, inspire, and retain architects and engineers.

• Maintain certifications and represent Verizon at events and customer advisory boards.

• Cultivate a culture of empowerment, collaboration, innovation, and integrity.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent directly related experience.

• More than 10 years of experience in engineering and architecting telecom, IT, or network infrastructure.

• Profound knowledge of dark fiber and the convergence of physical assets with AI/ML digital transformation.

• At least 3 years of experience leading senior architects or sales engineers, including workforce planning, coaching, and performance management.

• Proven experience managing intricate customer solutions from design to delivery, including scope, change, and contract management.

• Experience engaging with senior executives and delivering impactful customer presentations.

• Demonstrated financial analysis skills: P&L, ROI, cost analysis, and business-case development.

• An MS or MBA is preferred.

• Direct experience with hyperscalers, neoclouds, or carriers is preferred.

• Background in OSP engineering, construction, or delivery, including ULH or metro fiber programs and contractor management is preferred.

• Familiarity with AI and GPU cluster networking and understanding how topology influences requirements at the fiber layer is preferred.

• Experience with IRUs, swaps, anchor-tenant builds, SLAs, and MSAs is preferred.

• Relevant certifications such as CCIE/CCNP, optical vendor, PMP, or FOA CFOS are preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive base salary.

• Annual incentive program.

• Long-term incentive options.

• Comprehensive medical insurance.

• Dental insurance coverage.

• Vision insurance plans.

• Short-term disability insurance.

• Long-term disability insurance.

• Basic life insurance offerings.

• Supplemental life insurance options.

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.

• Identity theft protection services.

• Pet insurance coverage.

• Group home and auto insurance options.

• Matched 401(k) savings plan.

• Up to 8 company-paid holidays annually.

• Up to 6 personal days per year.

• Paid parental leave.

• Adoption assistance programs.

• Tuition assistance programs.

• Additional incentives.

• Premium pay opportunities, including overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, and allowances.

• Up to 15 days of vacation per year for newly hired employees, with increases based on service length.