Manager, Telecommunications

As the nation’s first statewide, “transmission only” company, VELCO manages the safe, reliable, cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont and as a part of the integrated New England regional network. Why Join Our Team VELCO operates some of the most critical communications infrastructure in Vermont. Our telecommunications network is engineered and operated to carrier‑grade standards, supporting real‑time electric grid operations, public safety, and statewide field communications. As Telecommunications Manager, you will lead and evolve a high‑availability, low‑latency, always‑on network that supports SCADA, protection and control systems, field crews, substations, and emergency operations. This role offers the opportunity to apply service‑provider best practices in a mission‑critical utility environment—where reliability is not optional and outages are not acceptable. Position Summary The Telecommunications Manager is responsible for the design, operation, and continuous improvement of carrier‑grade telecommunications services supporting VELCO’s Operational Technology (OT) and enterprise environments. This role oversees daily operations, long‑term network strategy, staff and vendor management, and multiple concurrent projects. The Manager ensures telecommunications services meet stringent availability, resiliency, performance, and recovery objectives, aligning telecom architecture with OT, IT, cybersecurity, and corporate strategy. How You Will Make an Impact You will lead the modernization and operation of a statewide fiber optic and radio communications network, blending legacy infrastructure with modern transport technologies while maintaining uninterrupted service. You will establish operational discipline, performance metrics, and service management processes consistent with carrier and Tier‑1 network environments. Your leadership will directly enable: Reliable real‑time grid monitoring and control Safe and effective field operations Regulatory compliance Long‑term scalability and technology evolution Key Responsibilities Carrier‑Grade Network Operations Own the end‑to‑end design and operation of high‑availability telecommunications networks supporting real‑time OT applications. Ensure carrier‑class reliability through path diversity, redundancy, fast failover, environmental hardening, and disaster recovery. Oversee 24x7 operations including monitoring, incident management, root cause analysis, change management, and outage response. Establish and manage SLAs, operational procedures, and escalation processes. Network Architecture & Technology Strategy Define and maintain telecommunications architecture standards including fiber transport, IP/CES, microwave/RF, radio systems, and supporting infrastructure. Develop a long‑term technical vision aligned with VELCO’s fiber expansion and statewide radio systems. Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends; perform cost/benefit and lifecycle analyses. Plan and manage carrier interconnections and external network partnerships. Leadership & Team Management Lead and develop a multidisciplinary telecommunications team (engineers, technicians, contractors). Set clear performance expectations and foster a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement. Coordinate cross‑functional teams across OT, IT, system operations, engineering, and cybersecurity. Performance, Monitoring & Asset Management Establish KPIs to measure network performance (availability, latency, packet loss, incident trends). Implement proactive and predictive maintenance strategies and asset lifecycle management. Leverage data analytics and monitoring tools to identify risks and drive improvements. Project, Vendor & Financial Management Manage multiple concurrent projects with cross‑functional stakeholders. Develop and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and capital plans. Oversee vendor and carrier relationships to ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality service delivery. Procure equipment and services in compliance with company procurement policies. Security, Compliance & Risk Management Ensure telecommunications systems comply with NERC CIP and other regulatory requirements. Partner with Cybersecurity and Technical Services teams to maintain secure, resilient network operations. Maintain accurate documentation, standards, diagrams, and as‑built records. Stakeholder Engagement Act as a trusted technical advisor to leadership and internal customers. Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders during normal operations and critical events. Represent telecommunications interests in enterprise planning and decision‑making forums. Ideal Background This role is well‑suited for leaders with experience in: Carrier‑grade or service‑provider networks Fiber transport, RF/microwave, and large‑scale IP networks 24x7 critical infrastructure or utility environments Operating networks where availability and recovery are mission‑critical Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, information technology, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 3+ years of leadership experience managing technical people, vendors, and complex technology in a 24x7 operations environment. 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunications engineering or operations, including experience with fiber, microwave, radio, and IP networking; utility or other critical‑infrastructure experience strongly preferred Knowledge & Skills Proven record in strong leadership, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills in addition to personnel management. Knowledge of Telecommunications technologies, software, and hardware, including but not limited to enterprise data and voice systems, SONET, DWDM, Carrier Ethernet, fiber optic and microwave networks, and trunked two-way radio systems. Experience in managing telecommunications systems supporting mission critical infrastructure, preferably in utility or industrial controls spaces. Proven record in establishing, monitoring and maintaining Key Performance Indicators for physical systems and overall team management. Ability to deliver complex and technical information to diverse audiences. Demonstrated technical operational technology and telecommunications skills along with analytical and problem-solving abilities with high attention to detail are also required. Superior written and verbal communication skills at all levels and operating areas. Strong customer focus with the ability to maintain a high level of trust and confidence in OT’s services from the Operational Technology and Telecommunications team as well as internal and external customers. Solid project management, strong analytical and critical thinking as well as creative problem-solving skills. Experience in performing event reviews and data-centric analytics, including Root Cause Assessments (RCAs). Why This Role Is Different Unlike traditional enterprise IT roles, this position operates in a no‑fail environment. You will lead a carrier‑class network where seconds matter, redundancy is mandatory, and reliability directly impacts public safety and grid stability. If you are driven by engineering rigor, operational excellence, and real‑world impact, this role offers a uniquely meaningful leadership opportunity. Physical/Mental Demands Must be able to perform typical administrative functions which may involve long periods of keyboarding and periodically of scanning, filing, copying, etc. Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex work, in potentially emotionally- fraught situations, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions. Must be able to work additional hours when necessary. Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information. Valid driver’s license required, and periodic in-state travel required. Compensation Range: $120,224.00 - $144,268.80 - $168,313.60/salary This compensation range represents the minimum, midpoint and maximum pay for this position. Individual offers will be based on various factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, education, skills, competencies, and experience. Please note that most offers for new employees fall under the midpoint of the range, allowing room for continued salary growth. Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package, which may also include comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off and incentive compensation (bonus) potential. Important Considerations Visit Velco.com for additional information on VELCO culture, benefits, and the recruiting process. We are an equal opportunity employer, and ALL qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. VELCO is handling all aspects of talent acquisition internally and will not engage the services of third-party staffing agencies, recruiters, or headhunters. We kindly request that these entities refrain from contacting us. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successful reference check, background check (including social media check), physical examination, drug screening. If you need an accommodation as part of the application or interview process, please send a request to View email address on click.appcast.io Serve at the heart of grid transformation amidst stunning scenery in a safe, supportive environment. Join us in shaping Vermont’s energy landscape and be a part of a team dedicated to powering a brighter tomorrow. VELCO is committed to the safety of our people, grid reliability, and creating a sustainable Vermont. At VELCO we care about our team members. Our benefits support the holistic well-being of our team members and their families — from financial security to mental and physical health. View 2026 Benefit Guide.