Director, Applied AI Solutions

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** ------------ Lumen is seeking technical AI leaders to drive the development and delivery of high\-impact AI solutions across the enterprise. As Director, Applied AI Solutions, you will partner with business, product, engineering, and technology leaders to identify opportunities, shape AI strategies, and deliver scalable solutions that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and business outcomes. You will lead a team of Applied AI Scientists while serving as a hands\-on technical authority across AI architecture, experimentation, model evaluation, agentic systems, and production deployment. This role combines deep AI expertise, product thinking, and leadership to translate emerging AI capabilities into measurable business value. **What You'll Do** ------------------ * Lead AI strategy, execution, and outcomes for assigned business workstreams. * Partner with leaders to identify, prioritize, and shape high\-value AI opportunities. * Guide technical decisions across machine learning, agentic AI, retrieval systems, evaluation, safety, reliability, and cost. * Drive rapid experimentation, productization, and enterprise\-scale deployment of AI solutions. * Build and lead a high\-performing team of Applied AI Scientists. * Establish best practices, frameworks, and operational mechanisms that accelerate AI adoption across Lumen. **Required Qualifications** --------------------------- * 10\+ years of experience in AI, machine learning, applied science, or related disciplines. * 5\+ years leading AI, machine learning, or multidisciplinary technical teams. * Proven experience delivering AI solutions from concept through production with measurable business impact. * Strong expertise in machine learning, statistics, experimentation, model evaluation, and agentic AI systems. * Hands\-on experience with modern AI technologies including LLMs, RAG, orchestration frameworks, MLOps/LLMOps, and Python\-based ML ecosystems. * Ability to balance technical depth, product strategy, and stakeholder leadership in fast\-paced environments. * Exceptional communication and influencing skills with executive and technical audiences. **Preferred qualifications** * Master’s or