Principal Roaming & Partnerships Strategist

PURPOSE OF POSITION Own and drive GCI’s end-to-end wholesale wireless roaming and strategic partnership strategy, with enterprise accountability for commercial performance, partner ecosystem development, and long-term market positioning. Serve as the company’s most senior subject matter expert (SME) for wholesale wireless partnerships, leading strategy across inbound and outbound roaming, carrier relationships and emerging partnership models. Operate with significant autonomy and executive visibility, influencing priorities across Product, Network, Finance and Executive Leadership to optimize revenue, margin, network utilization and customer experience outcomes. Primary customers include international, nationwide, regional and Alaska-based wireless communications providers and roaming partners. This role serves as the primary strategic and commercial point of contact for all wholesale roaming accounts and carrier partnership relationships. Internally, the position partners closely with Wholesale, Product, Network Operations, Engineering, Consumer, Business, Finance and Executive Leadership teams to ensure alignment, operational execution, service excellence and achievement of enterprise business objectives. Key Accountabilities Include Defining and evolving GCI’s enterprise wireless roaming and strategic partnership strategy in alignment with product, consumer, business and network priorities. Managing the full portfolio of inbound and outbound roaming agreements and wholesale wireless partnerships. Leading commercial performance, revenue optimisation and profitability of inbound roaming services. Coordinating outbound roaming services and carrier relationships for GCI subscribers in alignment with operational, technical and financial objectives. Developing strong internal and external relationships to support service delivery, issue resolution and long‑term partnership growth. Ensuring compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements and applicable industry standards. Enterprise Partnership Strategy & Portfolio Ownership Define, develop and evolve GCI’s wholesale wireless partnership strategy, including roaming, resale, interconnect and broader ecosystem expansion opportunities. Provide portfolio‑level commercial leadership with accountability for revenue growth, margin optimisation, cost structures and long‑term strategic value across all roaming and wholesale wireless relationships. Lead development of multiyear strategic road‑maps aligned to GCI’s wireless, mobility, broadband and enterprise growth strategies. Serve as executive‑level relationship lead for strategic roaming and carrier partners (e.g., Tier1 operators, international carriers and key industry stakeholders). Evaluate emerging market trends, partnership models and competitive opportunities to support enterprise growth and differentiation. Complex Deal Structuring & Negotiation Leadership Lead high‑value, complex, mult‑party negotiations for roaming and wholesale wireless agreements, including pricing structures, settlements, technical requirements, service levels and performance obligations. Develop innovative commercial constructs including reciprocal roaming models, usage‑based pricing strategies, strategic alliances and partnership frameworks. Conduct financial modelling, business case development and commercial analysis to support negotiation strategies and executive decision‑making. Act as senior escalation point for commercial, operational and contractual disputes. Partner with Legal, Finance, Product and Network teams to ensure agreements align with enterprise risk, operational capabilities and strategic objectives. Cross‑Functional Influence & Execution Leadership Drive alignment across Product, Enterprise, Network, Engineering and Finance to optimise network utilisation and roaming economics. Align partnership strategy with product roadmap and business priorities (e.g., FWA, mobility, MVNO and future wireless services). Influence prioritisation of network investments, operational enhancements and product capabilities based on strategic wholesale opportunities and partnership commitments. Lead cross‑functional resolution of systemic service, operational or partner performance issues impacting customer experience, revenue or contractual obligations. Ensure effective coordination between internal operational teams and external carrier partners to support service continuity and issue resolution. Market Intelligence & Competitive Positioning Serve as internal thought leader and SME on wireless wholesale and roaming industry trends: GSMA roaming standards and best practices, interconnect and roaming economics, carrier partnership strategies and competitive market dynamics, emerging wireless technologies and ecosystem opportunities. Monitor market activity, competitive positioning, regulatory developments and industry trends to identify opportunities and risks. Advise executive leadership on market entry / expansion opportunities, partnership strategy risks and competitive positioning initiatives. Strategic Account Governance & Performance Lead strategic governance and performance management across the wholesale roaming portfolio. Define, monitor and analyse KPIs related to partner performance, revenue growth, profitability, customer experience and operational effectiveness. Drive continuous optimisation across the partnership portfolio to ensure alignment with financial objectives, operational capabilities and enterprise strategic priorities. Develop and deliver executive‑level reporting, strategic recommendations and performance insights. Competencies Accountability – takes ownership for actions, decisions and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates willingness to improve. Strong desire to succeed and willingness to take ownership, initiative and leadership of tasks and projects. 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. Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with executive‑level decision makers, carrier partners and cross‑functional operational teams. Demonstrated success leading collaborative initiatives across technical, operational and commercial organisations. Communication – conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally. Ability to create and deliver strategic account plans, executive presentations, business cases and complex customer proposals. Strong negotiation, influencing and public speaking skills required. Compliance – follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. Demonstrated ability to keep confidential information secure. Customer focus – demonstrates commitment to service excellence and prioritises customer satisfaction. Reliability – consistently follows through on tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training and other obligations. Results – uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision‑making, innovation, adaptability and problem‑solving. Proven success developing and managing strategic partnerships and senior‑level account management initiatives. Demonstrated experience leading complex negotiations and presenting business cases to internal and external executive audiences. Strong analytical, financial modelling and commercial evaluation skills. Safety & Security – supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable security policies and procedures. Technical proficiency – proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and knowledge of wireless technologies, roaming systems and telecommunications infrastructure. Experience with wireless technologies – GSM, UMTS, LTE and CDMA. Knowledge of systems, technologies and operational processes required to deliver roaming services to external wireless providers. Proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Change management – champions and supports department and company change. Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and multi‑task with minimal supervision. Decision making – uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research and experience to choose an appropriate course of action. Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing priorities and execute within established timelines and business objectives. Minimum Qualifications High School diploma or equivalent. University degree in Marketing, Business, Economics, Telecommunications or relevant field. Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in wireless and data communications, including significant experience in wholesale wireless roaming and carrier partnerships; demonstrated experience leading complex contract negotiations, strategic partnership management and enterprise‑level account relationships. Experience must include mult‑tiered strategic account management, business planning and financial analysis, commercial pricing and settlement negotiations, development and presentation of complex customer proposals, executive business cases, cross‑functional leadership and enterprise stakeholder management. Preferred Direct experience with Tier1 wireless roaming and backhaul negotiations and contracts. Experience shaping product and/or network strategy based on wholesale opportunities. Experience working with wholesale markets and accounts. Experience in reciprocal sell‑buy partnership structures and roaming economics. Other relevant telecom industry or job‑specific certifications. Driving Requirements This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites or other locations as needed. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage. Ability to work shifts as assigned, operate standard office equipment and work in a standard office/home office setting. Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others. 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 and outside normal hours when necessary. Must work well in a team environment and collaborate with diverse people and customers. Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements. Emergency Contact Requirement Employees may be contacted outside core business hours for emergencies; you will be requested to provide emergency after‑hour contact numbers, including home and cell phone numbers if available. Culture, Engagement and Connection At GCI, we foster an environment where unique perspectives of employees, customers and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer. EEO Statement GCI is an equal‑opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other status protected under applicable state or federal law. Disclaimer The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal. #J-18808-Ljbffr