Vice President Telecom Operations

Company Overview

Sealink Networks, Inc. is building the next generation of digital infrastructure by connecting subsea and terrestrial fiber networks. The company develops and operates world‑class cable landing stations, terrestrial fiber backhaul systems, and related telecommunications infrastructure that supports global connectivity and network resilience.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Telecom Operations will provide strategic leadership, operational management, and technical oversight of Sealink Networks’ telecommunications infrastructure portfolio, including submarine cable landing stations, terrestrial fiber networks, and associated interconnection facilities. The role involves close collaboration with customers, partners, carriers, government agencies, engineering teams, and industry stakeholders to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient operations. The incumbent will initially integrate with the team to design and build the Westport, Washington landing site, cable landing station, and terrestrial backhaul infrastructure, then transition to full‑time operations management.

Pay

$200,000 – $220,000 DOE

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies supporting Sealink’s growth and long‑term infrastructure objectives.
• Lead operational planning for the Westport, Washington cable landing station, terrestrial fiber expansion, and future site expansions.
• Support business development initiatives by providing technical and operational leadership during customer engagements and infrastructure planning.
• Represent Sealink with industry organizations, conferences, customers, partners, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Provide executive oversight of submarine cable landing station operations and maintenance, including readiness programs and O&M reporting procedures.
• Coordinate with cable owners, marine maintenance authorities, and suppliers for installation, maintenance, repair, and restoration activities.
• Lead response efforts during submarine cable faults, outages, and emergency restoration events.
• Establish operational procedures and standards for cable landing station management, operations, and maintenance.
• Develop and implement staffing strategy for Westport to build an operations and maintenance team for cable landing station facilities.
• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of Sealink and customer cable landing station facilities, including smart‑hands requests.
• Ensure availability, reliability, physical security, power systems, environmental controls, and compliance of all facilities.
• Maintain familiarity with equipment such as SLTE, PFE, DWDM, RFTE, NMS, and BMS.
• Develop routine (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual) maintenance programs, operational KPIs, and reporting per customer requirements.
• Support design and deployment of outside‑plant infrastructure, including terrestrial fiber backhaul routes connecting landing stations to carrier ecosystems.
• Maintain relationships with utility providers, municipalities, state agencies, rights‑of‑way authorities, and construction contractors.
• Develop and implement routine and on‑call maintenance and repair programs, operational KPIs, and reporting for terrestrial networks.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, and governance frameworks; establish and monitor service‑level objectives and performance metrics.
• Manage vendor relationships, maintenance contracts, contractor relationships, and operational budgets.
• Lead risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and infrastructure protection programs; ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and industry requirements.
• Build and lead a high‑performing telecommunications operations and maintenance team; provide mentorship, technical leadership, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, safety, accountability, innovation, and team‑oriented collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, information technology, telecommunications, or a related technical discipline or a minimum of 15 years of experience specifically in subsea cable and cable landing station operations and maintenance.
• At least 10 years of subsea fiber optic and cable landing station experience.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing telecommunications operations, infrastructure, and engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of subsea cable system equipment and terrestrial transport equipment.
• Experience managing mission‑critical facilities.
• Proven ability to lead complex operational and technical organizations.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, vendors, and operational governance programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with submarine cable customers, consortiums, cable operators, and marine maintenance organizations.
• Experience supporting submarine cable and cable landing station design, permitting, and regulatory processes.
• Familiarity with international telecommunications infrastructure projects.
• Experience with carrier‑neutral facilities and interconnection ecosystems.
• Active participation in industry bodies such as ICPC, SubOptic, PTC, or similar, with demonstrated representation experience.
• Project management experience.
• Relevant certificates, licenses, or registrations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on construction sites, including walking, standing, and climbing.
• Ability to navigate rough terrain and perform light hiking for site inspections.
• Ability to travel by airplane, helicopter, or boat as required to access projects.

Other

• Must pass a favorable drug test and background check.
• Reports to the President of Sealink Networks.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance/accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Section 125 flexible spending account and health savings account.
• Various paid holidays and personal days.
• Paid vacation and sick leave, bereavement leave.
• Aflac supplemental insurance options.
• Employee assistance program.