Director, Operational Excellence & Strategic Program Management

Director, Operational Excellence & Strategic Program Management  

About Forged Fiber  

At Forged Fiber, our mission is bold but simple: deliver fast, reliable, future-proof connectivity that builds the foundation for everything online. As we execute, we believe the right way to do something is the only way. This foundation guides how the company builds, operates, and maintains a state-of-the-art open-access fiber network platform that empowers millions.

Forged Fiber is about more than building a network. It is about people. Every role matters. Every contribution counts. Together, employees create impact through teamwork, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.

The Role

The Director of Operational Excellence & Strategic Program Management is responsible for leading a high-performing team of Program Managers and Project Managers that drive execution across Build, Field Operations, Engineering, IT, HR, Finance, and enterprise transformation initiatives. This leader serves as a critical partner to executive leadership, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans, governed effectively, and delivered with measurable business outcomes. 

The Director will establish scalable operating models, governance frameworks, performance scorecards, process improvements, organizational readiness programs, and cross-functional execution strategies that support Forged Fiber's aggressive growth objectives and market expansion plans.

Work Location - Dallas, TX or Denver, CO

Key Responsibilities  

Strategic Leadership  

• Lead enterprise-wide operational excellence initiatives supporting Build, Field Operations, Engineering, IT, HR, Finance, and emerging business functions. 

• Develop and maintain executive governance structures, intake processes, prioritization frameworks, and decision-making forums. 

• Partner with executive leadership to translate business strategy into executable roadmaps, operational plans, and measurable business outcomes. 

• Lead long-range operational planning and strategic roadmap development supporting network expansion, market growth, operational scalability, and organizational performance objectives. 

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, scalability, customer experience, cost reduction, and operational effectiveness. 

• Evaluate business priorities, strategic investments, resource allocation decisions, and organizational tradeoffs to support enterprise decision-making. 

• Establish accountability for execution of strategic priorities and ensure initiatives remain aligned to company objectives and growth strategies. 

Program & Project Management Leadership  

• Lead and develop a team of Program Managers, Project Managers, PMO leaders, and operational support resources responsible for strategic and operational initiatives. 

• Establish enterprise portfolio management processes that provide visibility into priorities, risks, dependencies, financial impacts, resource constraints, and delivery milestones. 

• Ensure consistent project management disciplines, governance standards, reporting frameworks, and execution methodologies across the organization. 

• Provide executive oversight of large-scale transformation programs, strategic initiatives, and operational improvement efforts from planning through implementation. 

• Serve as the executive escalation point for significant program risks, resource conflicts, stakeholder challenges, and delivery issues affecting strategic outcomes. 

• Direct managers, senior program leaders, and project professionals in the successful execution of complex, high-visibility programs spanning multiple functions and operational disciplines. 

• Oversee cross-functional support provided to Forged Fiber leaders to ensure alignment, transparency, and execution excellence. 

Build & Operational Readiness  

• Support organizational readiness for market launches, network expansion, operational scaling, and build acceleration objectives. 

• Partner with Build, Engineering, Construction, and Field Operations leaders to remove barriers and streamline execution. 

• Develop repeatable playbooks, implementation standards, and operational support models. 

• Facilitate cross-functional handoffs, lessons-learned reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives across the end-to-end build lifecycle. 

• Monitor network deployment support programs and operational readiness efforts to ensure successful delivery against business objectives. 

Performance Management & Analytics  

• Establish executive scorecards, KPIs, dashboards, and operational reporting. 

• Monitor program performance, operational trends, risks, and opportunities. 

• Provide executive leadership with actionable insights and recommendations. 

• Ensure data-driven decision making throughout the organization.

Organizational & People Leadership  

• Build, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of PMO professionals. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, transparency, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

• Support workforce planning, hiring strategies, onboarding readiness, and organizational development initiatives. 

• Drive leadership development and succession planning within the PMO organization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration  

• Function as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to executive leaders and functional organizations. 

• Coordinate efforts across Operations, Build, Engineering, IT, Dispatch, Finance, HR, Construction, and external partners. 

• Facilitate alignment among executive stakeholders regarding strategic priorities, investments, resource allocation, and execution plans. 

• Resolve complex issues and drive decision-making across organizational boundaries. 

• Influence executive-level decisions through business case development, operational insights, performance analysis, and strategic recommendations. 

Qualifications  

Required  

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience. 

• 5+ years of experience in Program Management, PMO Leadership, Operations, Network Build, Telecommunications, Infrastructure, or related industries. 

• 5+ years leading teams of Program Managers, Project Managers, or operational leaders. 

• Experience managing large-scale transformation programs involving multiple business units. 

• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills. 

• Demonstrated success in governance, portfolio management, and operational improvement. 

Preferred  

• Telecommunications, fiber network deployment, construction, or infrastructure experience. 

• PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or equivalent certifications. 

• Experience supporting high-growth organizations and operational scaling efforts. 

• Strong analytical, reporting, and executive dashboard development experience. 

Success Measures  

• On-time delivery of strategic initiatives. 

• Successful market launch and operational readiness performance. 

• Reduced operational bottlenecks and improved cross-functional execution. 

• Increased program visibility, accountability, and governance maturity. 

• Improved employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. 

• Development of scalable processes that support long-term growth objectives.

What We Look  For  in a Candidate  

Forged Fiber’s culture is built on honesty, respect, trust, transparency, and a growth mindset. We strive to treat people as they want to be treated, and to operate with consistency, integrity, customer obsession, and courage. We’re looking for top tier talent to join Forged Fiber that can help us bring this mindset to our everyday work and deliver meaningful results.

Compensation  

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges :

Forged Fiber offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.

What to Expect Next  

Background Screening  

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements.

Forged Fiber 37 Services, LLC participates in E ‑ Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I ‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Employers can only use E ‑ Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I ‑9.

  Equal Employment Opportunities  

It is the policy of Forged Fiber to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, martial status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training. In addition, Forged Fiber will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, and is a fair change employer and does not initiate a background check until after an offer is made.

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