This leadership position requires the following non-delegable responsibilities:
- Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of the team and areas of responsibility.
- Provide strong leadership to span of control (direct and indirect reports); demonstrate effective leadership in all interactions companywide. This leadership includes generating enthusiasm and shared commitment; identifying and setting direction; teaching, growing, and empowering; owning outcomes; and leading by example. Specific leadership duties include:
- Establishing the vision and tone for the department, consistent with company culture and mission.
- Establishing clear, measurable, and achievable goals and performance expectations that align with organizational objectives and following up appropriately.
- Hiring individuals who can accomplish those goals and meet those expectations; providing them the open communication, training, tools, and mentoring needed to be successful and develop professionally; establishing a development path commensurate with capabilities and potential.
- Providing clear and accurate feedback to individuals and teams on a timely and consistent basis. Identifying and addressing performance problems early and effectively before they damage GCI’s interests and demoralize other employees.
- Effectively managing processes including annual performance reviews, compensation adjustments, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions up to and including termination in an unbiased and consistent manner.
Leadership & Team Development:
- Provide clear, accountable leadership to OSP and support teams.
- Build a high‑performance culture focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Develop talent through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
- Foster collaboration across peer groups.
- Model and reinforce GCI’s culture by demonstrating ownership, transparency, and a commitment to developing high‑performing, engaged teams.
Organizational Effectiveness
- Design, optimize & scale organizational structures, workflows, and processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
- Establish & Implement performance metrics, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to track operational health and project progress.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce cycle times, improve quality, and enhance customer experience.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety standards.
- Coordinate crisis response & operational readiness efforts in support incident management.
- Accountability for performance of the HFC and long-haul fiber networks network.
Strategic Initiatives & Planning
- Support long‑range OSP network planning, including fiber expansion, capacity upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
- Partner with leadership to align OSP strategy with corporate growth objectives.
- Translate strategic initiatives into executable project plans with clear milestones and deliverables.
Budget Management
- Own the OSP operating budgets, maintain rigorous forecasting discipline through monthly budget reviews, variance analysis, and proactive course‑correction.
- Evaluate vendor proposals and manage external partners to ensure cost‑effective operations and maintenance.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality or reliability.
- Ensuring all spending aligns with strategic priorities, operational needs, and long‑term financial plans.
- ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
- BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.
- COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
- Demonstrated ability to provide effective cross functional influence and collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Regulatory and Legal teams.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and advise with sound judgment and strategic thinking, building trust and driving alignment toward shared goals.
- COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
- Excellent communication with the ability to accurately articulate information to internal and external audiences, handle inquiries and complaints, and communicate effectively at all levels of the company.
- Skilled at providing clear, impactful communication and technical presentations that align stakeholders and drives accountability.
- COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
- CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
- RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
- RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
- Proven capability leading multi-disciplinary teams, Construction Managers, and Field Technicians.
- Proven ability to translate business objectives into scalable infrastructure solutions.
- Proven data driven decision making using performance metrics, insights, and frontline feedback.
- Expert knowledge of OSP design, construction, and maintenance for fiber optic networks, copper/coaxial infrastructure, and aerial, underground, undersea, and buried plant.
- Advanced competency in overseeing large-scale OSP construction projects and managing contractor performance, schedules, and quality.
- Demonstrated skill managing multi-million-dollar capital and operating budgets.
- Demonstrated skill managing external vendors and contractors, including RFP development and bid evaluation, contract negotiation, and SLA and KPI enforcement.
- Demonstrated skill working with municipalities and utilities, property owners, regulatory agencies, and joint-use partners.
- Strong understanding of splicing, testing, and acceptance standards.
- Familiarity with make-ready processes, joint-use coordination, and right-of-way access.
- Working knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including pole attachment requirements, environmental and permitting rules, and DOT and municipal standards.
- Knowledge of GIS-based network records, mapping systems, and asset management tools.
- Knowledge of long-range network planning, capacity forecasting, and expansion strategies.
- Ability to build business cases, ROI analysis, and cost-control strategies.
- Ability to review and approve engineering drawings, prints, and as-builts.
- CHANGE MANAGEMENT: champions and supports department and company change.
- Demonstrated ability to act as a catalyst for transformation, driving adoption of new processes, technologies, and ways of working.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, secure buy‑in, and lead teams through change with confidence and resilience.
- DECISION MAKING: uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.
- PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION: analyzes workload and establishes appropriate priorities; sets measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team.
- MENTORING & DEVELOPMENT: utilizes interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results.
- Ability to build high performing teams through coaching, feedback, and capability enablement.
- Ability to develop leaders, instill analytical rigor, and strengthen functional excellence across the organization.
- PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: sets clear performance expectations for team.
- SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
- Commitment to OSHA safety standards and company safety programs.
- Ability to identify and mitigate construction, environmental, and operational risks.
- TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Network Engineering, or related field. *
- Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressive experience in outside plant engineering, construction, and/or network infrastructure in a telecommunications, broadband, fiber, cable, or utility environment, to include: *
- At least five (5) years of experience overseeing large-scale OSP programs.
- At least five (5) years of experience delivering complex, capital-intensive infrastructure projects from design through deployment.
- At least five (5) years of supervisor/manager experience leading cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in relevant field.
- Professional certifications, such as Professional Engineer (PE), PMP (Project Management Professional), Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT), or other equivalent industry credentials.
DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:
- This position requires driving a company-owned vehicle, company provided vehicle, or a personal vehicle on behalf of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.
- Work may occur in office, remotely, or at client sites depending on business needs.
- Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
- Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
- Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
- Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
- Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
- Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.
- Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
- Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.