IT Senior Business Operations Analyst, Hybrid

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.

*This position is a Hybrid position which will require you to be in-office 2-3 days/week in Hanover, MD, USA*

How You Will Contribute to Ciena:

Reporting to the Director of IT Strategy and Governance, as an IT Senior Business Operations Analyst, you will be a key driver of efficiency and improve operational excellence across the IT organization. You will analyze data, provide actionable insights, and collaborate across IT, Finance, and Procurement to ensure IT investments align with business goals and deliver optimal return. You will contribute to Ciena by:

• Optimizing Cloud Spending: Implementing and managing Cloud FinOps practices to maximize the value of Ciena's cloud investments and drive cost efficiency across multiple cloud platforms.
• Driving Financial Operational Efficiency: Supporting the IT budget process, managing technology-related expenses and contracts, and proactively identifying cost optimization opportunities.
• Ensuring Data Accuracy: Collaborating with IT, Finance & Accounting teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and billing.
• Enabling Data-Driven Decisions: Providing insights through data analysis, reporting, and the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) to inform strategic decision-making.
• Streamlining Operations: Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance IT efficiency and support faster, data-driven business decisions.
• Supporting Strategic Planning: Supporting the development and execution of the IT strategic plan and the development of financial models and business cases for projects and initiatives.

Key Capabilities:

• Global Cloud FinOps:
  • Implementing and managing Cloud FinOps practices to optimize cloud spending and resource utilization across AWS, Azure, GCP and OCI
  • Analyzing cloud usage data to identify cost savings opportunities and making recommendations.
  • Managing end-to-end cloud billing, from intake to cross-charging, ensuring accurate cost allocation across the company.
  • Developing and maintaining cloud cost dashboards and reporting that support Global Cloud Utilization
  • Collaborating with cloud teams on cost optimization strategies.
• Purchase Order (PO) and Expense Management:
  • Managing the PO lifecycle and ensuring budget alignment
  • Investigating and resolving billing issues.
• Financial Operations & Budget Management:
  • Supporting the IT budget planning, forecasting, and variance analysis efforts
  • Monitoring and reporting on IT spending, providing cost optimization recommendations.
  • Reconciling IT expenses, including headcount, opex, project costs and vendor spend analysis ensuring accuracy and completeness through detail analysis
  • Collaborating with FP&A and Accounting for accurate financial reporting.
  • Preparing financial models and business cases for IT projects and initiatives
  • Managing IT contract renewals
• Metrics, Reporting & Strategy:
  • Supporting the development and execution of the IT strategic plan.
  • Conducting research and analysis on industry trends and best practices.
  • Defining, tracking, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Developing and maintaining dashboards to monitor IT performance.
  • Providing regular updates to key stakeholders.
  • Identifying trends and insights to drive business decisions.
• Continuous Process Improvement:
  • Documenting and streamlining IT processes and procedures.
  • Collaborating to drive process standardization.
  • Identifying automation opportunities to improve data quality and reporting accuracy.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in IT business operations, FP&A, or accounting.
• Proven experience in data analysis and data reconciliation, specifically with large datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented while also maintaining a strong understanding of the broader strategic landscape.
• Strong understanding of Cloud FinOps principles and practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Exper