Director, Services Portfolio Marketing

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.

Ciena is looking for an experienced marketing professional to lead portfolio messaging, positioning, and marketing content development for Ciena Services, a comprehensive range of technical and professional services spanning build, operate, and improve phases of the network lifecycle. Leading the Services Marketing organization, you will be responsible for elevating Ciena’s position as a trusted partner for network modernization and operational excellence.

This role is ideal for an individual who thrives at the intersection of marketing strategy, product positioning, and customer engagement. You will partner closely with Sales, Product Line Management, and Global Marketing and Communications teams to translate services innovation into differentiated value messaging and content—essential tools for effective customer engagement.

You will serve as a visible internal leader and external evangelist for Ciena Services, engaging directly with customers, partners, and industry influencers to build mindshare, increase demand, and strengthen confidence in Ciena’s Services portfolio. Key responsibilities include:

Portfolio Marketing Strategy

• Help define and execute global market strategies that increase adoption and market share for Ciena Services.

• Develop differentiated positioning and messaging that clearly articulates the business and technical value of Ciena’s services compared to competitors.

• Identify and develop thought leadership, customer proof points, and success stories that strengthen credibility and drive demand.

• Partner with Sales and Services Product Line Management to identify opportunities for new service introductions, service naming, packaging, and commercialization.

• Engage externally with customers, prospects, media, and industry analysts to communicate Ciena’s Services value proposition and influence market perception.

• Collaborate across functions to drive strategies that increase customer engagement, mindshare, and pipeline contribution for the services portfolio.

Execution & Operational Leadership

• Lead and develop the Services Marketing team, expanding portfolio knowledge and capabilities and ensuring consistent, high-quality execution.

• Convert customer, market, and competitive insights into actionable marketing plans, campaigns, and priority initiatives.

• Provide leadership for sales and partner enablement—including training, readiness programs, and field-facing content.

• Build strong relationships with customers and partners and influence key stakeholders to support services growth.

Content, Campaigns & Portfolio Activation

• Conduct and synthesize market, customer, and competitive research to identify trends, challenges, and emerging opportunities.

• Create and deliver compelling content that supports the full buyer journey, including:

  • Services messaging frameworks and value propositions

  • Web and digital content

  • Customer-facing product collateral

  • Case studies and success stories

  • Thought leadership (blogs, white papers, presentations, etc.)

• Support Ciena’s presence at key industry trade shows, customer forums, and analyst briefings.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of B2B technology marketing experience, preferably in professional services, with specific experience in portfolio/product marketing, and with proven results driving measurable growth (pipeline, attach, adoption, expansion).

• Demonstrated effectiveness in key areas of product marketing, including target audience definition and segmentation, value messaging, product launch planning, and sales enablement.

• Strong storytelling skills—able to translate complex technical ideas into clear, differentiated value propositions tied to customer business outcomes.

• Experience building buyer- and persona-based content across the full buyer’s journey, including digital content, web copy, sales plays, case studies, executive presentations, and more.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with Sales to create high-impact enablement content (sales playbooks, battlecards, and product training programs).

• Strong market and competitive analytical skills: ability to synthesize insights from customer conversations, win/loss signals, field feedback, and market research into actionable positioning.

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and communicate credibly with customers, partners, and industry analysts.

• Experienced people leader and team builder—able to coach talent, aid in career development, and drive prioritization in a fast-moving environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop content that resonates with both technical and business stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Marketing, or a related discipline required.

• MBA preferred.

Pay Range:
The salary for this role in Ottawa, ON is $157, 900 - $252, 200

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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.