Account Manager - Strategic Accounts

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

The Account Manager, Strategic Accounts - Meta plays a critical role in expanding and strengthening Ciena's partnership with Meta, one of the company's most strategic global customers. This individual will combine sales expertise, customer engagement, business acumen, and operational excellence to help drive growth across Ciena's portfolio of networking solutions.

Working as a member of the Global Cloud Networking (GCN) Sales organization, the successful candidate will support the development and execution of account strategies that accelerate bookings, revenue growth, profitability, and market share while delivering exceptional customer experience. The role requires close collaboration with customer stakeholders, partners, and internal cross-functional teams to ensure Ciena remains a trusted advisor and strategic technology partner to Meta.

Success in this role demands a strong customer-first mindset, executive presence, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex technical and commercial environments.

How You Will Contribute

• Serve as a key member of the Meta account team, reporting to the Senior Director, Strategic Accounts - Meta, and partnering closely with other sales team members to execute the overall account strategy
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with stakeholders across Meta's engineering, supply chain, operations, and leadership organizations
• Support the development and execution of comprehensive account plans that drive bookings, revenue growth, profitability, and long-term customer success
• Identify, develop, and advance opportunities across core, metro, edge, data center interconnect, inside the data center, and submarine networking applications
• Maintain a deep understanding of Meta's business priorities, network evolution, technology roadmap, and investment strategies
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional engagement across Sales Engineering, Product Line Management, Services, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to achieve customer and business objectives.
• Monitor and analyze competitive activity within the account and develop strategies to defend or expand Ciena’s market share
• Secure accurate forecasts and maintain high-quality pipeline visibility and opportunity tracking within Salesforce
• Support commercial execution activities, including pricing, quotations, lead-time communication, contract support, and purchase order management
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to proactively manage fulfillment, delivery expectations, and customer communications, ensuring alignment between Meta’s expectations and Ciena’s delivery capabilities
• Deliver executive-level account reviews, business updates, and strategic insights to internal leadership and stakeholders
• Synthesize and analyze data from multiple sources to support business planning, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making
• Coordinate customer meetings, workshops, executive briefings, and social events

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• 5+ years of experience in optical networking, cloud infrastructure, or related technology sales or sales engineering
• Proven record of achieving or exceeding sales, business development, or account growth objectives
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex customer relationships and influence decision-making across multiple organizational levels
• Strong business, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate customer requirements into actionable strategies
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical, operational, and executive audiences
• Initiative-taking self-starter with the ability to prioritize, organize, and execute effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with proven ability to build support across matrixed organizations
• Proficiency with CRM tools, forecasting processes, and opportunity management disciplines
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Nice to Haves

• Experience working with hyperscale cloud providers, internet content providers, or large-scale data center operators
• Direct experience managing strategic accounts with complex, multi-year technology investment cycles
• Deep understanding of optical networking, packet networking, routing, data center interconnect, and submarine network infrastructure
• Experience selling through both direct and partner-channel models
• Knowledge of Meta's networking environment, technology architecture, and procurement processes
• Experience supporting large-scale global accounts with substantial revenue responsibility
• Salesforce proficiency
• MBA or advanced technical degree

Pay Range

The annual total target compensation range for this position, in California, is $202,600.00 - $323,600.00 USD.

This includes both base salary and incentive compensation and may vary based on skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

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Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

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.