JOB SUMMARY
The Director, Construction Economics & Contractor Strategy is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring Ezee Fiber has the right general contractors, at the right price, with the capacity the company has committed to, while driving cost per passing down without sacrificing quality or safety. This leader owns the companywide general contractor ecosystem, commercial and cost governance, and resource and locate-provider management.
This role requires a commercially sharp construction economics leader who can negotiate directly with general contractors, maintain a P&L-style scorecard, and partner closely with Finance on capital accountability. Success is measured by cost per passing and cost per foot trends, the share of volume delivered by top-scoring contractors, rate and change-order compliance, and capacity delivered against commitment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
General Contractor Ecosystem Management
• Build and manage strategic GC relationships, including commercial terms and safety and quality qualification, onboarding, and removal
• Manage GC capacity, crew, and drill commitments companywide, including diversification and concentration risk
• Develop contractor performance scorecards and lead companywide performance reviews
Commercial & Cost Governance
• Establish standard rate cards and contractor pricing
• Govern the change-order process companywide
• Lead cost per passing and cost per foot benchmarking, value engineering, and underground-versus-aerial economics
• Analyze cost trends and identify waste and savings opportunities
Resource & Provider Management
• Track field material utilization companywide
• Set companywide locate strategy, manage provider agreements, and establish performance standards
Day-to-day contractor field performance management and the decision to award or remove work in a specific market remain owned by the General Manager; capital, P&L, and materials procurement remain owned by Finance and Supply Chain.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience requirements: Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, or related field plus 8-12 years of experience in OSP construction, fiber deployment, or telecommunications infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on contractor management, commercial negotiation, and construction cost economics.
• Proven ability to negotiate commercial terms and manage a multi-market general contractor ecosystem
• Strong expertise in construction cost benchmarking (cost per passing, cost per foot), value engineering, and change-order governance
• Commercially sharp, with the ability to hold a P&L-style scorecard and work closely with Finance on capital accountability
• Experience diversifying and managing contractor capacity and concentration risk across multiple markets
• Exceptional negotiation, financial analysis, and stakeholder management skills
COMPETENCIES
Strategic Thinking • Commercial Acumen • Financial Acumen • Negotiation • Analytical Thinking • Critical Thinking • Complex Problem Solving • Decision-Making • Cost Management • Risk Management • Performance Management • Vendor & Stakeholder Management • Influencing Without Authority • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Executive Communication • Accountability • Results Orientation
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Driver's License
PHYSICAL, FIELD, OR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the associate is required on a daily basis to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a stationary position for a significant amount of the workday and frequently access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The associate is regularly required to move about the office and around the corporate campus, as well as active construction sites. The associate must frequently move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move up to 25 pounds.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel up to 50% to support GC negotiations, market-level contractor reviews, and vendor engagement
TOTAL REWARDS
• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and other generous benefit programs
• Tuition reimbursement
