OSP Program Manager - Long Haul Deployment

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of multiple long haul OSP deployment projects simultaneously, including greenfield, overpull, and network expansion initiatives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts.
• Drive project execution from initial planning through engineering, permitting, construction, testing, acceptance, and closeout.
• Monitor project performance against scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation and recovery plans to maintain delivery commitments.
• Serve as the primary contractual and operational interface with turnkey engineering and construction partners.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and administer engineering and construction contracts.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, contract records, correspondence, and audit-ready project files.
• Provide regular financial and operational updates to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Fiber Engineering to validate route design, constructability, fiber assignments, and project requirements.
• Oversee engineering package development, permitting strategies, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Manage complex permitting and environmental requirements, including NEPA, Section 106, Tribal engagement, right-of-way negotiations, state utility commissions, and federal funding requirements.
• Ensure compliance with NTIA and other government-funded program requirements, including Davis-Bacon, BABA, and environmental assessment obligations.
• Oversee contractor material forecasting, procurement coordination, receiving, inventory tracking, and field deployment activities.
• Monitor field production rates and construction progress against established schedules.
• Support resolution of field issues impacting schedule, cost, quality, or customer commitments.
• Ensure adherence to OSP construction standards, fiber specifications, testing requirements, and safety practices.
• Deliver project-level, program-level, and executive-level reporting, including progress updates, financial summaries, risk assessments, and recovery plans.
• Maintain proactive communication with customers, internal stakeholders, contractors, and leadership teams.
• Facilitate issue resolution across cross-functional teams to minimize project impacts.
• Present project status and recommendations to Program leadership and customer stakeholders.
• Oversee fiber testing, acceptance, and closeout processes to ensure compliance with Zayo standards.
• Review and validate project deliverables, as-built documentation, redlined network diagrams, and inventory updates.
• Verify that all project documentation, testing records, permits, and customer deliverables are complete and accurately archived.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Telecommunications, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent industry experience may be substituted for formal education.
• Experience: Minimum of eight (8) years of telecommunications, fiber deployment, or OSP project management experience. Minimum of eight (8) years managing complex outside plant construction projects and contractor relationships. Demonstrated experience delivering multimillion-dollar fiber deployment projects on schedule and within budget. Experience administering engineering, construction, and turnkey (EPC) contracts. Experience managing federal and state regulatory requirements, permitting, and environmental compliance. Prior leadership experience managing project teams or cross-functional deployment organizations preferred.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of OSP construction methods, fiber optic infrastructure, and long haul network architecture. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, budget forecasting, data analysis, reporting, pivot tables, lookups, and project performance tracking. Understanding of fiber testing standards, acceptance requirements, and closeout procedures. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, route maps, construction packages, and testing documentation. Familiarity with GIS platforms, Google Earth, and network inventory systems. Working knowledge of Salesforce, Sitetracker, and project management systems preferred.
• Skills & Competencies: Strong contract negotiation and administration skills. Excellent financial management, forecasting, and budgeting capabilities. Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. Advanced problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making abilities. Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to travel as required to support project execution, contractor oversight, and customer engagements.