Telecom Program Manager

Job Description

A well-established turnkey contractor specializing in Outside Plant (OSP) and Inside Plant (ISP) telecommunications construction is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead strategic initiatives across commercial and residential broadband deployments. With a strong presence along the East Coast and ongoing expansion, this organization supports major service providers and backhaul carriers in delivering high-speed connectivity.

The Program Manager will oversee OSP construction projects, including Metro Ethernet, SMB, MDU, and SDU builds. The role involves approximately an 80/20 split between aerial and underground work, depending on the region. This is a client-facing leadership position responsible for driving operational efficiency, managing vendors, and coordinating internal and external communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead turnkey OSP construction projects from site survey to closeout
• Manage a team of Construction Managers, Coordinators, and Technicians
• Oversee general operations including P&L, fleet management, workforce development, and executive presentations
• Conduct site walks, validate BOMs, approve line items, and set client expectations
• Coordinate construction crews and ensure quality control across all phases
• Monitor budgets, timelines, and project documentation
• Validate as-builts and ensure project closeout accuracy
• Collaborate across design, permitting, and construction teams
• Provide weekly updates and QC reports to leadership
• Respond to outages and ensure timely crew deployment
• Convert digital plans to as-built documentation

Top Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of OSP telecommunications project management (aerial and UG)
• Strong understanding of OSP construction and operations management
• Proven experience managing internal/external teams, vendors, budgets, and timelines
• Excellent communication skills and professional client-facing demeanor
• Background in utilities or general construction is a plus
• Ability to take initiative and escalate issues appropriately

Additional Skills

• Proficient in Excel and project tracking tools
• Skilled in defining scope, assessing materials, and approving line items
• Comfortable working with contractors and in-house teams
• Strong collaboration and leadership abilities
• On-call availability to mitigate risks and manage outages

Employee Value Proposition

This is a direct placement opportunity with a stable and growing organization. The selected candidate will play a key role in expanding operations in the Johnson City TN region and will be empowered to manage their portion of the office with entrepreneurial autonomy.

Benefits include:

• Company vehicle
• 2 weeks paid time off
• 1 week sick leave
• 401(k) with 100% vesting after 1 year
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Clear advancement pathways and competitive compensation

Work Environment

• Highly collaborative culture
• 90% office-based, 10% field work
• Local office reporting with potential for remote flexibility once established

Business Drivers

This role supports growing broadband and capacity initiatives, including cable TV expansion, remote workforce enablement, and 5G infrastructure development.