Senior Program Manager - Universal Inventory - Network Automation

Ready to build the foundation for intelligent networks? Our Team and What We'll Accomplish Together Join TELUS Technology's Network Automation and Intelligence team, where we're revolutionizing how Canada's leading telecommunications network operates. We're a dynamic group of software engineers and network specialists building the intelligent, self-healing network of tomorrow. Our mission? To leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning to predict network issues before they happen, optimize performance in real-time, and deliver exceptional experiences to millions of Canadians. As Sr Program Manager for Universal Inventory, you'll drive the foundational pillar for autonomous networks. You'll partner with VPs and senior leaders across the organization, including CIO and CTO, to federate inventory systems, establish data governance standards, clean and correlate critical network data, and drive a $40-50M program that enables automation and AI across TELUS. Your work will power the clean, comprehensive inventory system that enables intelligent decision-making across our entire network, unlocking predictive maintenance, AI-driven optimization, and the next generation of network intelligence. What you'll do Drive the Universal Inventory Initiative from Vision to Impact Define and communicate the Universal Inventory vision, roadmap, and strategic priorities to align stakeholders across engineering, network operations, CIO, and AI/ML teams on what gets built and when Orchestrate cross-functional execution across multiple departments and external partners, coordinating software engineers, network specialists, data engineers, and product teams to remove blockers and maintain momentum Establish data governance standards and quality frameworks to ensure inventory accuracy, completeness, and accessibility—creating the clean data foundation that powers predictive maintenance, automation, and AI/ML initiatives Partner with network operations, automation teams, and business leaders to understand their needs, drive adoption of Universal Inventory, and ensure the system solves real operational problems Manage program health, track milestones and deliverables, and provide regular status updates to executives and leadership—identifying risks early and escalating when needed Present program progress, business impact, and key decisions at steering committees and leadership reviews, translating technical complexity into executive insights Oversee program budget, resource allocation, and capacity planning across teams that don't report directly to you, building the business case for continued investment Track metrics that matter—how inventory quality reduces MTTR, enables faster automation, improves ML accuracy, reduces outages, and drives cost savings Navigate technical complexity, legacy system integration, and organizational change to keep the program moving forward Enable team success by removing friction, providing clarity on priorities, advocating for resources, and creating conditions for execution What you bring The Mindset You're a strategic operator who thrives in complex, cross-functional environments. You speak both the language of technology and business, translating technical constraints into executive insights—and vice versa. You've led transformational programs before and know how to navigate ambiguity, build consensus, and deliver impact at scale. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience 8+ years of program or project management experience in telecom, IT, or network operations environments. You understand network systems, data flows, and the operational complexity we're navigating Deep understanding of telecom network systems, data flows, and operational complexity (RAN, core network, inventory systems, OSS/BSS) Strong understanding of network data modeling, APIs, and data pipelines—credible in technical conversations with engineers about architecture, feasibility, and integration Advanced influence, stakeholder management, and cross-functional leadership skills to drive program momentum Advanced communication and presentation skills—comfortable presenting to executives and steering committees, with a demonstrated ability to translate technical complexity and system limitations into business risk narratives that resonate Proven track record leading transformational programs from strategy through execution and adoption at scale Strong problem-solving skills that turn complex business challenges into viable technical solutions Great-to-haves Experience implementing or managing inventory systems like Netcracker, Circuit Vision, or AMDOCS. You've been in the trenches with enterprise inventory platforms and know their strengths and limitations Deep familiarity with TMF standards. Location: Anywhere in Canada