Senior Lead Permitting Manager

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today.

The Role

The Sr Lead Permitting Manager will play a critical role in Lumen’s fiber investment throughout communities – acting as a force multiplier for both economic development, growth, and sustainability in communities.
Operationally you will be responsible and measured by your ability to successfully improve infrastructure deployment cycles that meet commitments and guidance. Your role would be responsible for proactively collaborating with local governments and utilities to create a positive relationship that results in reduced cycles for permitting, row agreements, and pole permissions from the various governing bodies. You will also be responsible for ensuring that we have favorable terms that are acceptable for our deployment teams and are within the expectations set with regulatory requirements and corporate guidance.
A successful candidate will have the ability to quickly establish relationships and clear lines of communication with local elected officials, policymakers, influencers, decision-makers and community partners. You will act as the ‘connective tissue’ between Lumen’s Network Implementation team and local permitting offices to establish predictable permitting timelines and help create innovative solutions when necessary to clear hurdles in local permitting application processes.

Location

This is a work from home position within the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

• Improve permitting, ROW approvals, and permission to attach approval to meet company deployment targets.
• Gather and negotiate the required guidelines and specifications for Engineering design requirements from the governing entities.
• Ensure those requirements are documented in databases and cataloged in a library for reference.
• Quality control submittals that are going to our largest and most sensitive areas to ensure the work being submitted meets the requirements of the governing entities.
• Work directly with your local Network Implementation team to understand details of the build and clear existing roadblocks with local permitting offices
• Work with local governments to understand details of permitting application processes
• Work with vendors when necessary to ensure accuracy of information flow between vendors, local permit offices, and other external partners (utilities, community orgs, businesses)
• Work with State Government Affairs Directors to build upon/maintain relationships with appropriate permit offices and city, county, and state lawmakers
• Act as the ‘connective tissue’ between internal and external organizations ensuring clear lines of communication across organizations internally and externally
• Prepare and present PowerPoint presentations to highlight/amplify Lumen’s fiber investment in local communities and opportunities for consumers, businesses, and anchor institutions
• Coordinate announcements/events with Corporate Communications to celebrate Lumen’s investment and highlight the benefits of Lumen’s fiber network

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience working in/with permit offices and key public sector elected officials and staff
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and relevant experience.
• 5+ years’ experience in technology, broadband and/or telecom industry
• 5+ years’ subject matter expertise in city/county/state govt and utility permitting

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

$105,786 - $141,047 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY
$111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
$116,364 - $155,152 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

Lumen 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. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process.

Learn more about Lumen's:
Benefits
Bonus Structure

#LI-Remote

Requisition #: 342391

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:

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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. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

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