Senior Lead Finance Analyst, OpEx Management

About Lumen

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up – committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress.

We’re looking for top-tier talent and offer the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Join us as we digitally connect the world and shape the future.

The Senior Lead Finance Analyst will play a critical role in managing and optimizing Operating Expenses (OPEX) across the enterprise. This position combines strong financial acumen with advanced technical skills, including AI‑driven analytics, to deliver actionable insights and support strategic decision‑making. The ideal candidate will partner with cross‑functional teams to ensure accurate forecasting, budgeting, and reporting while driving automation and efficiency.

• Build and maintain dynamic OPEX models leveraging advanced analytics and scenario planning.
• Apply predictive modeling techniques (e.g., regression, time‑series forecasting) to improve forecast accuracy.
• Utilize AI‑driven tools for anomaly detection and trend analysis in expense patterns.

• Perform deep‑dive variance analysis, identifying root causes and actionable recommendations.
• Develop dashboards using Power BI or similar visualization tools to present real‑time OPEX performance.
• Integrate machine learning algorithms to identify cost optimization opportunities and automate repetitive analysis tasks.

• Act as a trusted advisor to operational leaders, translating complex financial data into strategic insights.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align OPEX strategies with enterprise objectives.
• Use natural language processing (NLP) tools to summarize large datasets and meeting transcripts for decision‑making.

• Drive automation of reporting processes using Python, R, or SQL scripts integrated with financial systems.
• Implement AI‑based solutions for expense categorization and predictive spend management.
• Partner with IT and data science teams to deploy machine learning models into financial workflows.

• Ensure data integrity and compliance with corporate financial policies and regulatory standards.
• Apply AI‑powered audit tools to detect anomalies and strengthen internal controls.
• Maintain robust documentation for models, assumptions, and methodologies to support transparency.

• AI/ML Tools:
  Tensor Flow, PyTorch, Scikit‑learn for predictive analytics.
• Data Visualization:
  Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Programming:
  Advanced skills in Python and SQL for automation and data manipulation.
• Cloud & Data Platforms:
  Familiarity with Azure Data Services or similar enterprise cloud environments.
• Financial Systems: SAP, Oracle, or equivalent ERP systems.
• Data Science Concepts:
  Predictive modeling, anomaly detection, and NLP for financial applications.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis, with a focus on OPEX.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges:

$105,786 - $141,047 in these states: AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IA, , IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WI, WV, and WY.

$111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO, HI, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, OR, and RI.

$116,364 - $155,152 in these states: AK, CA, CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, TX, VA, and WA.

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks…