Local Government Relations Manager

Base salary: $85,000 to $120,000 annually, DOE.

About the role

Ziply Fiber is a local internet service provider dedicated to elevating the connected lives of the communities we serve. We offer the fastest home internet in the nation, a refreshingly great customer experience, and affordable plans that put customers in charge. As our state-of-the-art fiber network expands, we need a Local Government Relations Manager to support network expansion by building strong relationships with local governments, public works departments, utilities, and community leaders.

This role serves as a key liaison across multiple jurisdictions, helping navigate permitting, right-of-way, construction coordination, and community issues. It also provides critical local insight to internal teams to support timely project execution and maintain positive community partnerships. The position plays a central role in strengthening Ziply Fiber’s presence and reputation as a collaborative and community-focused infrastructure partner.

Company Values

• Genuinely Caring: We treat customers and colleagues like neighbors, with empathy and full attention.
• Empowering You: We help customers choose what is best for them, and we support employees in implementing new ideas and solutions.
• Innovation and Improvement: We constantly seek ways to improve how we serve customers and each other.
• Earning Your Trust: We build trust through clear, honest, human communication.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Issue Resolution:
  • Continuous engagement with local leadership (FDC, Field Ops, Marketing) to ensure issues are addressed timely and professionally.
  • Support resolution of right-of-way, permitting, pole attachment/joint use, and similar issues with states, counties, cities, and third parties.
  • Work with the local leadership team to resolve known issues promptly.
  • Ensure teams are aware of current field issues and inquiries, collaborating toward satisfactory resolutions.
  • Focus on meeting and maintaining consistent service levels and tracking complaint resolution performance.
• Community and Government Relations:
  • Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key community, public, and government officials.
  • Meet regularly with mayors, city council members, county commissioners, administrators, and staff to articulate the Company’s vision and plans, securing support for Ziply Fiber’s initiatives.
  • Act as the principal contact for Ziply Fiber’s Network Operations team on local government issues and resolution of constituent inquiries.
• Stakeholder and Business Engagement:
  • Establish and maintain relationships with local chambers of commerce, economic development councils, and community groups.
  • Work with residents and businesses to resolve issues related to construction efforts, creating win-win solutions.
• Construction and Build Area Support:
  • Work with city/county and community in active build areas to address issues as they arise.
• Perform other duties as required to support the business and evolving organization.

Requirements

• Interpersonal Skills:
  • Focus on resolving conflict, maintaining confidentiality, and listening to others.
  • Respond promptly to resident/business needs, solicit feedback to improve service, and meet commitments.
  • Demonstrate a high degree of personal and professional integrity due to the nature of information involved and public visibility of this position.
  • Thrive working independently as well as with cross-functional teams, exhibiting energy, intelligence, and a drive for success.
• Managing People:
  • Include team in planning, decision-making, facilitating, and process improvement.
  • Develop team skills and encourage growth.
  • Prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently, and adapt to additional workload and schedule changes.
  • Set goals and objectives, develop realistic action plans, and take responsibility for activities.
  • Provide regular performance feedback and make self-available to others.
• Communication:
  • Write and speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
  • Listen and seek clarification, respond well to questions, and demonstrate group presentation skills.
  • Strong problem-solving, partnership, and collaboration skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and analytical abilities.
• Extensive portfolio of relationships across state and local government.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 3–5 years’ experience working in a customer support-centric environment.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with local governments, public works departments, utilities, and/or agencies involved in right-of-way, permitting, construction oversight, or municipal coordination.
• Experience navigating governmental processes, municipal codes, public works standards, and utility coordination requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Public policy/compliance implementation experience.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 Applications.
• Ability to lead and manage projects and tasks while effectively representing Ziply Fiber.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and satisfactory driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (relevant training or experience may be considered in lieu of degree).
• Experience in the telecom industry.
• Experience collaborating with state, county, and municipal officials on infrastructure projects, right-of-way management, or public utilities coordination.
• Knowledge and understanding of operations teams and outside plant teams.
• Knowledge of, and experience working on, federal, state, local, broadband, and telecommunications issues.
• Familiarity with municipal public works processes, utility permitting workflows, and coordination requirements for fiber or infrastructure deployment.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and apply sound judgment and reasoning to a variety of situations.
• Ability to multi-task and collaborate effectively with other personnel to meet deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work within critical deadlines and adjust to rapidly changing priorities and schedules.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k plan.
• Flexible spending account.
• Paid sick leave and paid time off.
• Parental leave.
• Quarterly performance bonus.
• Training, career growth, and education reimbursement programs.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US for any employer. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi-line telephone system. The work environment is primarily a modern office setting.

At all times, Ziply Fiber must be your primary employer. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, employees may not hold outside employment nor be self-employed without obtaining approval in writing from Ziply Fiber.