Lead Program Manager, Optical Delivery

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.The Lead Program Manager, Optical Delivery is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of sophisticated Optical Transport Deployment programs, driving initiatives that strengthen Optus’ network capacity, performance, and reliability. Acting as both strategic leader and operational driver, this role coordinates the planning, execution, and optimisation of transport and transmission infrastructure across the telecommunications network. Success requires deep technical expertise in optical and transmission networks, strong program management capability, and the ability to translate strategic goals into measurable outcomes that accelerate speed to market and improve customer experience.Working collaboratively across multiple business and technical domains—including Engineering, Field Operations, Enterprise, and Vendor teams—the role ensures flawless delivery of transmission builds, augmentations, migrations, and related onboarding activities. The Lead Program Manager will identify and act on opportunities to improve revenue enablement and delivery performance, encouraging a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. This position also carries accountability for preparing high-quality program and financial reports with precision and attention to detail, ensuring that every project aligns with Optus excellence standards.What You’ll DoSupervise the end-to-end delivery of complex optical infrastructure initiatives including deployment, upgrades, and expansion across fibre, DWDM, OTN, and related technologies, ensuring seamless integration with IP, Core, Access, and Mobile networks.Collaborate with various business partners to define program scope, prioritise activities under the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), manage engineering and customer orders, and ensure timely delivery of all milestones.Oversee CAPEX and OPEX budgets, financial forecasts, and procurement while governing multi-vendor service partners to ensure cost-effective, high-quality outcomes aligned with Optus standards.Direct Transmission SMEs and Delivery Specialists, ensuring clear accountability, strong collaboration, and continuous improvement across internal teams and external suppliers.Maintain adherence to project governance, WHS, quality, and delivery KPIs, managing risks, contract variations, and performance reporting to meet business and regulatory standards.Discover opportunities to streamline delivery processes, improve accountability, reduce costs, accelerate timelines, and incorporate guidelines from previous programs to improve performance and outcomes. What You BringRelevant professional qualifications demonstrated ability in project and vendor management across internal and external telecommunications infrastructure deployment.Strong understanding of optical network design, deployment, and technologies such as DWDM, OTN, and GPON, with deep knowledge of fibre standards, power budgeting, and optical testing practices.Extensive telecommunications experience across Carriers and Vendors, with proven success leading major tenders, contracts, and large-scale transport network programs both locally and internationally.Demonstrated ability to lead large transformation and delivery programs, managing senior business partners, leaders, and onshore/offshore teams to achieve business objectives.Strong commercial competence with experience managing budgets, procurement, and reporting, alongside high-level understanding of regulatory, WHS, and environmental compliance.Excellent stakeholder management, logical problem-solving, and customer focus, supported by excellent program management skills, accountability, and proficiency with MS Office tools. What’s in it for you? Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon. At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170. We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact, and we will be in touch within 48 hours.For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity