As Director of Operations, you will lead large-scale FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) network deployment activities and drive the execution required to deliver high-quality fiber networks at scale.
You will be responsible for market-level construction execution, contractor performance, municipal coordination, utility relationships, and resolving the complex challenges that impact deployment velocity. This role requires a hands-on operational leader who thrives at solving problems, removing barriers, building partnerships, and driving accountability across contractors, permitting agencies, utilities, and internal teams.
The ideal candidate combines strong OSP construction knowledge with the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills required to navigate ambiguity and deliver results in a fast-moving environment.
Key ResponsibilitiesLead Market Operations & Construction Execution
- Own market-level FTTH deployment performance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and according to quality standards.
- Drive achievement of construction milestones, including conduit placement, fiber deployment, splicing, testing, restoration, and construction closeout.
- Establish clear priorities, remove obstacles, and ensure teams remain focused on execution.
Drive Problem Resolution & Speed-to-Market
- Identify and resolve barriers impacting construction velocity, including permitting delays, utility coordination challenges, locate issues, access constraints, contractor performance, and field execution problems.
- Develop practical solutions that balance speed, cost, quality, safety, and stakeholder requirements.
- Anticipate risks and proactively implement mitigation and recovery plans.
Build External Partnerships
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with municipalities, permitting authorities, utilities, locate providers, HOAs, and community stakeholders.
- Serve as the local escalation point for issues impacting deployment schedules.
- Represent the company professionally with external partners to enable long-term market success.
Vendor Management
- Manage general contractors, subcontractors, and field partners through clear expectations, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure vendors have the information, resources, and support needed to execute while holding them accountable for commitments.
- Monitor production, quality, restoration, safety, and closeout performance.
Oversee End-to-End Construction Delivery, including:
- Pre-construction planning and field readiness
- Permitting and utility coordination support
- Underground construction execution
- Fiber placement, splicing, and testing
- Quality control, restoration, and project closeout
Partner Cross-Functionally
- Coordinate closely with Engineering, Permitting, Network Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to ensure successful market delivery.
- Communicate progress, risks, and recovery plans clearly across all levels of the organization.
Required Qualifications- 8+ years of experience in fiber broadband, telecommunications, utility construction, infrastructure deployment, or related field operations.
- 3+ years in a leadership role managing teams, contractors, or large-scale field programs.
- Strong knowledge of FTTH construction, OSP deployment, and underground construction methods.
- Proven ability to manage contractor performance, production schedules, budgets, quality standards, and operational KPIs.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex field challenges, influence external stakeholders, and solve problems without relying solely on authority or escalation.
- Experience working directly with municipalities, permitting agencies, utilities, contractors, and other external partners.
- Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with aggressive deployment objectives.
- Exceptional communication skills with field teams, executives, municipalities, utilities, and contractors.
Preferred Skills- Experience managing large-scale FTTH deployments in active residential environments.
- Familiarity with regional permitting processes, utility coordination, right-of-way requirements, and utility locate processes.
- Knowledge of directional drilling, microduct deployment, fiber placement, splicing, testing, and restoration standards.
- Experience with damage prevention programs and construction quality management.
- Proficiency with GIS systems, construction management platforms, production dashboards, and project reporting tools.
- Experience supporting open-access fiber networks or wholesale broadband models.
- Bachelor's degree (Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field preferred).
