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.
.
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.
Director, Strategic Transactions (Legal)
This is a newly created, high-impact role in Ciena’s Legal Department. This role will have the opportunity to help shape how Ciena structures, coordinates and executes diverse strategic transactions globally. The Director will partner closely with the Ciena’s Chief Strategy Office, Legal leadership team, and cross-functional leaders to drive M&A transactions, investments, and strategic partnerships for the Legal Department. This role’s involvement will span from early-stage interest, diligence and deal structuring through negotiation, closing, and post-close execution. This role is ideal for a highly motivated, strategic thinker who brings strong legal and business judgment to diverse transactions, and can translate complex issues into practical solutions. This role will be a connector across functions and levels, building trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and external counsel, while strengthening deal processes so Ciena can move quickly, thoughtfully, and with confidence. The Director, Strategic Transactions (Legal) reports to Ciena’s Deputy General Counsel and will based remotely in the United States or proximate to a Ciena office location.
How you will make an impact:
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Partner closely with Chief Strategy Office and Legal leadership across all stages of acquisition transactions, including non-disclosure agreements, term sheets and letters of intent, deal structuring, running deal processes, drafting and negotiating definitive documents, closing deals and supporting integration and post-closing matters
- Lead legal due diligence processes and coordinate with other functions to communicate findings, risks and recommended solutions to stakeholders
- Play a key communication and coordination role across diverse functions and levels to complete transactions
- Develop strategies and tools to drive continuous improvements in deal processes and execution, including by utilizing AI
Strategic Investments
- Support corporate venture capital program and investments, including management of related outside counsel relationships and engagements
- Develop legal strategies and efficient processes to coordinate and oversee such investments and ongoing portfolio management
Other Strategic Transactions and Legal Matters
- Play a leading role in negotiating and drafting of strategic commercial and technology transactions and partnerships
- Assist the broader Legal Department and Chief Strategy Officer on other high priority tasks and other corporate or transactional matters
The must haves:
- 5+ years of legal experience in M&A, with a preference for strategic acquisition transactions and some in-house experience or outside counsel work that includes a recurring buy-side relationship with an acquisitive client
- Experience independently negotiating and running complex strategic transactions
- Ability to think creatively, function independently and work proactively in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated growth mindset and strong initiative—ambitious, adaptable, and willing to take ownership and tackle unfamiliar challenges with confidence
- Excellent legal and business judgment, attention to detail and proven capacity to tackle complicated problems
- Strong process orientation with a passion for continuous improvement and strong comfort with the use of AI and other technologies to support transactions
- Team player with willingness to adapt and support the diverse needs of a dynamic legal department
- Effective communicator with stakeholders and executives
- Active bar membership (in good standing) in your state of residency, with eligibility to practice as in-house counsel
Nice to haves:
- Familiarity with our industry or high technology markets
- Public company exposure and familiarity with securities law
- Antitrust/Competition law familiarity and experience coordinating filings, merger control strategies or document production
- Commercial contracting experience with transactions involving development, purchase or sale or license of emerging technology
- Experience with capital markets and financing transactions including debt or equity transactions
- Post closing integration experience, planning and coordinating contract novations, assignments, transition services and other post-closing mechanics
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of legal experience in M&A, with preference for strategic acquisition transactions
- Experience independently negotiating and running complex strategic transactions
- Active bar membership in good standing for in-house counsel
Ciena Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Ciena and has not been reviewed or approved by Ciena.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is often characterized as competitive or above-market in certain roles and regions, with references to market-aligned salary ranges and transparency around pay bands.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is frequently framed as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision, with indications that coverage can extend to dependents and is viewed as a meaningful component of total rewards.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are described as flexible and generous, including Flex/uncapped PTO in many cases and additional paid time for volunteering.
Ciena Insights
What We Do
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a global leader in networking systems, services, and software. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to enable our customers to deliver richer, more connected experiences for all users. At our core, Ciena is a company rooted in people. We prioritize deep, collaborative relationships within our teams and alongside our customers, partners, and communities around the world. For three-plus decades, we’ve brought our humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. We continue to lead the evolution of networking with a strong track record of industry firsts. As end-user expectations skyrocket, our customers and their networks must transform. Ciena powers this transformation by driving next-generation solutions built for maximum openness and agility—today and into the future. Corporate/Brand Values: • Customer First • Integrity • Velocity • Innovation • Outstanding People We're the perfect size for you to make an impact. W Only Ciena has the depth of expertise and the culture of collaboration and partnership required to help our partners evolve. We do this by strategically integrating hardware, services, and software in an open environment to ensure our clients’ networks are ‘fit for flexibility’ today and into the f
Why Work With Us
We are known for our industry-firsts, including the first coherent optical solution, converged packet-optical platform, and intelligence automation platform. Our commitment extends beyond innovation, logging in over 35,000 volunteer hours and $2 million to worthy causes in 2023. We're the perfect size and culture for you to make a difference.
Gallery
