Sr. Program Manager, Fiber Engineering and Construction

The Senior Program Manager drives the successful execution of fiber optic network deployment programs, including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) overbuilds and other broadband initiatives. This role owns cross-functional tracking and governance across planning, engineering, permitting, and construction, with a strong focus on holding the engineering team and other stakeholders accountable to timelines, quality standards, and ISP objectives. The Senior Program Manager maintains clear visibility into program health, provides concise status reporting to leadership, and facilitates communication between internal teams, contractors, and external partners to keep projects on track.

Key Responsibilities

• Track and document progress across all project phases, including planning (site surveys, route design), engineering (OSP design, schematics, records), permitting (right-of-way approvals, utility coordination), and construction (fiber installation, splicing, closeout).
• Monitor and enforce accountability across departments—with particular emphasis on engineering and permitting—ensuring teams meet milestones, submit deliverables on time, and adhere to ISP quality, technical, and compliance standards.
• Maintain and update project management tools (e.g., Quickbase, Excel) with timely status updates on milestones, deliverables, risks, and delays, and proactively flag non-compliance or missed deadlines to leadership and project managers.
• Compile and prepare KPI reports, dashboards, and executive summaries to communicate program status to project managers, leadership, and external stakeholders, highlighting departmental performance and areas needing corrective action.
• Coordinate with internal teams (engineering, construction, permitting, finance) and external partners (contractors, permitting authorities, utilities) to gather updates, resolve discrepancies, and ensure timely submission of required documentation.
• Actively follow up on pending tasks—such as engineering designs, permit applications, as-builts, and closeout documentation—and escalate unresolved issues to leadership to maintain program momentum.
• Monitor permitting processes end-to-end, ensuring applications are submitted, tracked, and approved, and hold responsible parties accountable for delays, incomplete submissions, or quality issues.
• Support construction activities by organizing schedules, tracking material deliveries, documenting site inspection outcomes, and ensuring field work adheres to approved engineering plans, safety requirements, and timelines.
• Identify and address process and administrative bottlenecks (e.g., missing permits, incomplete work orders, missing engineering packages) by partnering with responsible teams to drive timely resolution.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready records of project documentation, including permits, engineering drawings, work prints, redlines, and closeout packages, in alignment with ISP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Schedule and facilitate regular status meetings; capture minutes, decisions, and action items; assign owners; and follow up to ensure commitments are met.
• Provide administrative and light financial support for project-related tasks, such as issuing purchase orders, tracking budgets at the program level, and managing vendor invoices to support financial accountability.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in business administration, telecommunications, construction management, engineering, or a related field (preferred but not required).
• 5–10+ years of experience in program or project management, preferably in telecommunications, ISP, or construction industries, with a demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional work and hold teams accountable.
• Familiarity with fiber optic network deployment processes, including OSP and FTTH/broadband infrastructure projects, and comfort working closely with engineering, permitting, and construction teams.
• Experience using project management or tracking software (Quickbase preferred; Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, or similar) to monitor progress, manage dependencies, and enforce deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel occasionally (up to ~10–20%) for site visits or in-person meetings, as needed.

Essential Skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to track complex, multi-market workflows and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Proven ability to influence and hold cross-functional teams—especially engineering and permitting—accountable without direct reporting authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and GSuite for reporting, data analysis, and creating presentations that clearly communicate program status and risks.
• Prior experience working with project management software (Quickbase preferred) for status tracking, dashboards, and action item management.
• Familiarity with telecom-specific tools such as GIS mapping, Google Earth, or basic CAD for reviewing project plans (preferred but not mandatory).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear updates, challenge teams constructively, and escalate issues to leadership with professionalism and tact.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work independently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.
• Basic understanding of fiber optic construction processes, permitting requirements, and industry standards (e.g., OSHA, local regulations), with the ability to recognize risks and quality concerns.
• Strong problem-solving skills to identify delays, risks, or performance issues, propose solutions, and drive corrective actions across departments.