Senior Manager, Outside Plant (OSP) Construction

Position Title: Senior Manager, Outside Plant (OSP) Construction

Candidates nationwide may apply, but priority will be given to those located in or near the market listed in this posting. This is not a travel-free remote position.

• Candidates outside the assigned market: Approximately one to two weeks of travel per month may be required during market stand-up, tapering to approximately one week per month as the market stabilizes.

• Candidates within the assigned market: Regular field travel throughout the assigned territory is required. The use of a personal vehicle is required and reimbursed according to company policy.

Base Salary: $96,800 to $159,500 annually DOE

Bonus: Target annual bonus

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, flexible spending account, paid sick leave and paid time off, parental leave, quarterly performance bonus, training, career growth and education reimbursement programs.

Ziply Fiber is a local internet service provider dedicated to elevating the connected lives of the communities we serve. We offer the fastest home internet in the nation, a refreshingly great customer experience, and affordable plans that put customers in charge.

As our state-of-the-art fiber network expands, so does our need for team members who can help us grow and realize our goals.

Our Company Values:

• Genuinely Caring: We treat customers and colleagues like neighbors, with empathy and full attention.
• Empowering You: We help customers choose what is best for them, and we support employees in implementing new ideas and solutions.
• Innovation and Improvement: We constantly seek ways to improve how we serve customers and each other.
• Earning Your Trust: We build trust through clear, honest, human communication.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Outside Plant (OSP) Construction is responsible for the successful launch of new markets with predictable execution of OSP fiber construction programs across assigned build areas. Reporting to the Vice President, Production Planning, this role will stand up, scale, and lead construction operations in net-new geographies, including contractor crews and internal field teams, to deliver homes-passed targets safely, on schedule, and within budget. This is a hands-on field leadership role requiring deep Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) construction expertise, strong production discipline, and the ability to drive quality and performance at the crew level.

We are seeking candidates who are based in or able to regularly work within the following markets: Lake County, IL.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed below are a range of duties performed by the employee and not intended to reflect all duties performed.

Project Oversight & Execution

• Assist with stand-up new market operations including contractor onboarding and build readiness.
• Accountable for the staffing, budgets (capital/expense), schedules and compliance associated with OSP construction projects, along with the safety and quality of work performed.
• Oversee the development, coordination, and execution of project schedules with contractors, property management, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Partner with municipalities and pole owners in new markets.
• Oversee all phases in the bidding, negotiation, and approval of construction contracts.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to maintain uninterrupted construction flow across active zones.

Strategic Alignment & Standardization

• Translating expansion strategy into field execution across multiple markets.
• Track and report daily/weekly production metrics; identify variances and implement real-time corrective actions.
• Standardize construction practices/approaches across the company and across all build types/programs.
• Size the contractor workforce for the future to support the build types/programs.
• Align the internal and external construction teams with the Engineering Teams to drive more efficiencies, shorten project durations and reduce change request.
• Enforce Ziply Fiber construction quality standards through field inspections, specification compliance, and as-built accuracy.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership and mentorship to OSP Construction Managers and Contract Administrators through coaching, feedback, development goals and performance management.
• Oversee the development, coordination, and execution of project schedules with contractors, property management, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Communication & Collaboration

• Own end-to-end construction delivery (design validation through activation).
• Coordinate and participate in various internal meetings to ensure communication and alignment of initiatives, information sharing and implementation of best practices.
• Identify risks and ensure proactive mitigation.

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as required to support the business and evolving organization.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of OSP experience, including splicing and construction.
• Minimum of five (5) years leadership/people management experience.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Proven ability to manage multiple contractor crews simultaneously in a high-production environment.
• Experience managing multi-market or multi-state construction programs.
• Willingness to travel across active and emerging markets.
• Advanced understanding of fiber splicing and installation practices, proper safety construction practices and network topology.
• Advanced understanding of the permitting process for railroad, DOT, cities, counties, and pole owners.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and satisfactory driving record.
• Must complete a pre-employment drug screening.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Developed leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and lead others.
• Ability to work independently and apply sound judgment and reasoning skills to a variety of situations.
• Knowledge and experience in outside plant engineering and installation/construction.
• Ability to multi-task and collaborate effectively with other personnel to meet deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work within critical deadlines.
• Ability to adjust to rapidly changing priorities and schedules.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Proven ability to lead, facilitate, develop, and motivate a cross-functional team in a competitive environment.
• Possess a general understanding of utility accounting practices.
• Experience with bargained for contracts and employees.
• Must be knowledgeable in all aspects of R.U.S (515) contract policies and procedures.
• Intermediate knowledge/experience of engineering support systems and highly skilled in Microsoft PC applications such as Word, Excel.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US for any employer. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi-line telephone system. The work is primarily a modern office setting.

At all times, Ziply Fiber must be your primary employer. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, employees may not hold outside employment nor be self-employed without obtaining approval in writing from Ziply Fiber. In holding outside employment or self-employment, employees should ensure that participation does not conflict with responsibilities to Ziply Fiber or its business interests.

Diverse Workforce / EEO:

Ziply Fiber is an equal opportunity employer. Ziply Fiber will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, and the presence of a non-job-related handicap or disability or any other legally protected status.

Ziply Fiber requires a pre-employment background check as conditions of employment. Ziply Fiber may require a pre-employment drug screening.

Ziply Fiber is a drug free workplace.