Manager Channel (WORKS FROM HOME, MO, US)

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

The Manager, Channel leads a team of Inside Channel Managers, individual contributor sales professionals responsible for driving revenue growth through indirect sales channels and strategic partner relationships. This role is accountable for sales performance, talent development, forecasting accuracy, and execution of channel growth strategies across a substantial customer and partner portfolio.

Location

Business needs require the successful candidate to reside within the Eastern or Central time zone.

The Main Responsibilities

- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Inside Channel Managers responsible for achieving revenue, growth, and customer retention objectives.

- Drive execution of channel sales strategies that accelerate customer acquisition, partner engagement, upsell, and cross-sell opportunities.

- Establish a high-performance sales culture through coaching, performance management, skill development, and accountability.

- Own pipeline management, funnel health, forecasting accuracy, productivity metrics, and revenue attainment for the team.

- Analyze business trends, sales performance, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities and improve business outcomes.

- Partner with Sales, Operations, Marketing, Product, and Channel leadership teams to support strategic business initiatives.

- Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop top sales talent while building a strong succession pipeline.

- Drive operational excellence through process improvement initiatives, sales discipline, and adoption of best practices.

What We Look For in a Candidate

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience, with 8+ years of related sales, business development, channel sales, or customer growth experience.

- 3+ years of sales leadership experience leading inside sales, channel sales, partner sales, or business development teams.

- Proven success leading teams of individual contributor sales professionals with accountability for revenue growth, sales execution, and business performance.

- Experience driving pipeline management, forecasting accuracy, sales productivity, and attainment of financial objectives.

- Demonstrated ability to coach and develop Inside Channel Managers and other sales professionals in consultative and solution-based selling environments.

- Experience recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing sales talent.

- Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

- Experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams of individual contributor sales professionals.

Preferred

- Experience supporting indirect sales channels, partner ecosystems, or channel-led go-to-market strategies.

- Demonstrated success leading significant business growth initiatives or sales transformation efforts.

- Advanced experience using sales analytics, forecasting tools, and performance data to drive business decisions.

- Experience operating within complex, matrixed organizations.

- Proven ability to influence strategy and drive alignm