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- Tasks: Manage and enhance service partner relationships across EMEA for exceptional customer outcomes.
- Company: Ciena, a leader in high-speed connectivity with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, growth opportunities, and a focus on well-being.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a commitment to employee respect and value.
- Why this job: Join a tech company that values humanity and drives meaningful impact.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years in partner management or operations, strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritising 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 hiring two Partner Management Analysts to help shape, govern, and continuously improve the service partner ecosystem across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. This high-impact role sits at the heart of Ciena’s service execution model, balancing commercial discipline, operational excellence, and partner performance to deliver exceptional customer outcomes at scale.
How you will make an impact:
- Own and develop service partner relationships across assigned EMEA countries, ensuring alignment with Ciena delivery, quality, and governance expectations.
- Drive partner performance across service level agreements (SLAs), quality metrics, and operational outcomes, addressing issues and escalations with urgency and structure.
- Strengthen cost competitiveness through request for quotation (RFQ) management, pricing analysis, and commercial negotiation with service partners.
- Lead regular partner business reviews, including quarterly business reviews (QBRs), in close collaboration with Customer Operations, Quality, and Procurement teams.
- Support forecasting, capacity planning, and demand alignment to ensure partner readiness for current and future service requirements.
- Identify operational, commercial, and delivery risks early, leading mitigation actions to protect customer experience and service continuity.
- Provide regional market insight to inform partner strategy, including labour trends, pricing dynamics, and competitive conditions.
The must haves:
- 5–8 years of experience in partner management, vendor management, service delivery management, or operations within telecommunications or a comparable technical services environment.
- Demonstrated commercial acumen, including experience with RFQs, pricing evaluation, and cost management.
- Proven ability to manage delivery performance using data, key performance indicators (KPIs), and structured reporting.
- Strong relationship-building skills with both internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience operating effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment.
- Track record of managing service escalations and driving timely, effective resolution.
- Clear, confident, and structured communication skills, both written and verbal.
Nice to haves:
- Experience managing service partners or vendors across multiple EMEA countries.
- Familiarity with telecom installation, deployment, field services, or maintenance environments.
- Exposure to partner governance frameworks, performance scorecards, or maturity models.
- Experience interpreting contracts, commercial terms, or service policies.
- Multilingual capability in one or more European languages.
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.
Partner Manager (EU & UK) in London employer: Ciena Government Solutions
Contact Detail:
Ciena Government Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner Manager (EU & UK) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Ciena’s values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience aligns with our mission of high-speed connectivity and a people-first approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in partner management and vendor relations can drive performance and enhance customer outcomes. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Ciena family.
We think you need these skills to ace Partner Manager (EU & UK) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Partner Manager role. Highlight your experience in partner management and any relevant achievements that align with Ciena's focus on service delivery and operational excellence.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your strong relationship-building skills and commercial acumen. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully managed service partners or vendors.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and structured. Ciena values confident communication, so make sure your points are easy to follow and directly address the requirements listed in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and shows your enthusiasm for joining the Ciena team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ciena Government Solutions
✨Know Your Partners
Before the interview, research Ciena's service partners and their roles in the EMEA region. Understanding their business models and how they align with Ciena’s goals will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're ready to manage those relationships effectively.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with RFQs, pricing evaluations, and cost management. Bring specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated with partners or improved service delivery through data-driven decisions. This will highlight your ability to drive partner performance.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Think of examples where you've built strong relationships with internal teams or external partners. Be ready to share how you’ve navigated challenges and escalations, as this role requires excellent communication and collaboration skills across various functions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would handle operational risks or service escalations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.