Senior Manager of Solutions Engineering

About the Role

Zayo is seeking a Senior Manager of Solutions Engineering to lead a team of Solutions Engineers (SEs) in driving top-line revenue within the Carrier vertical. This First-Line Manager (1LM) position focuses on coaching SEs to excel in their roles, requiring deep tactical and strategic expertise in technical, business, and customer domains. The role blends management with hands-on engagement, acting as a "player-coach" in opportunity-oriented work while maintaining high-level involvement in deals and customer interactions. The Senior Manager will foster mentor-like relationships with direct reports, uphold integrity in handling confidential matters, and champion talent development, engagement, and retention within the SE organization.

Reporting to the Head of Solutions Engineering, this role ensures compliance with SE team performance metrics and contributes to strategic initiatives, tools, and measurements for organizational growth. The Senior Manager will also drive projects aligned with the broader mission and guiding principles of the SE Organization.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategic Development
  • Lead a team of 5–10 Solutions Engineers to maximize revenue generation and alignment with SE Organization goals.
  • Serve as the primary mentor for direct reports, guiding day-to-day and long-term role responsibilities to enhance engagement and retention.
  • Act as the escalation point for technical and solutioning challenges for customers and internal stakeholders.
  • Bridge communication between SEs and higher leadership to ensure clear dissemination of organizational direction and capture feedback.
  • Manage the SE team’s daily responsibilities to meet or exceed SLA targets.
• Sales Focus and Solution Design
  • Provide management-level technical consultation to accelerate sales cycles and drive opportunities from development to close.
  • Coach direct reports and ecosystem partners to navigate complex solutioning scenarios.
  • Ensure dynamic alignment between Sales and SE teams to prioritize and respond to sales needs.
  • Engage directly in solutioning as needed.
• Technical Expertise
  • Guide Sales and SEs on complex solutioning scenarios.
  • Stay abreast of the competitive landscape and emerging technologies to position Zayo effectively.
  • Identify coaching opportunities for Sales and SEs in technical, product, or business areas.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in a technical or sales role within the telecommunications industry, with at least 7 years in a peer leadership or Solution Engineering role.
• Previous leadership experience, preferably in Sales or Sales/Solution Engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership and coaching capabilities.
• Expert-level technical and design skills with MAN and WAN technologies.
• Experience with Colocation and Cloud IaaS offerings (preferred).
• Excellent presentation skills for CIO, CTO, and other stakeholder audiences.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced environments and adapt quickly to change.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including simplifying technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Results-driven with a focus on goal achievement.

Preferred Technical Background

• Expertise in networking protocols, design, and products across the OSI model.
• Understanding of fiber optic network design and implementation.
• Expert-level knowledge of the telecom ecosystem and customer technology ecosystems.

Pay

Estimated base salary range: $140,000 – $170,000 USD annually. The range is a guideline and may vary based on geographic location, experience, skill level, certifications, and business needs. Non-sales roles may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive plan; sales roles may participate in a sales incentive plan.

Benefits

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement 401(k) savings plan.
• Generous paid time off policy, including paid parental leave.