Senior Manager, Government Relations

Description Clearwave Fiber and Point Broadband are affiliated companies operating as part of a combined organization. This opportunity is a Clearwave Fiber position, and candidates selected for hire will be employed by Clearwave Fiber under Clearwave Fiber’s benefit plans, payroll, and employment policies. Successful candidates will be located in the Chicagoland, IL area and able to travel 50% of the month. Role overview Clearwave Fiber is seeking a relationship-oriented and highly organized professional to serve as Senior Manager, Government Relations . In this role, you will act as a key extension of the Director of Government Relations, helping lead municipal engagement efforts across Clearwave Fiber’s Midwest and Southeast markets. You will play a critical role in fostering trusted relationships with municipal leaders, government agencies, civic organizations, and community stakeholders to support successful market entry, construction execution, permitting coordination, and ongoing operations. This is a highly visible, field-oriented role that requires a strong combination of relationship management, project coordination, and cross-functional leadership. The Senior Manager will serve as a primary municipal point-of-contact in designated markets, independently represent the company at public meetings and community events, and proactively help resolve permitting or governmental escalations that may impact business operations or construction timelines. Internally, you will work closely with construction, operations, legal/regulatory, market expansion, and sales teams to ensure strong alignment between community engagement efforts and broader business objectives. This role is ideal for a strong operator and relationship-builder who thrives in fast-paced environments and has the potential to grow into future senior leadership responsibilities within the organization. What you will do Develop and maintain strong working relationships with municipal leaders, council members, permitting offices, government agencies, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and other community stakeholders across Clearwave Fiber’s current and future markets Serve as a primary Clearwave Fiber representative and municipal point-of-contact within assigned markets, ensuring proactive communication and strong ongoing partnerships throughout the construction and operational lifecycle Attend and represent Clearwave Fiber independently at council meetings, public hearings, community forums, chamber events, and other civic engagements Help lead and coordinate municipal engagement workstreams in partnership with the Director of Government Relations Support local permitting, right-of-way, and governmental escalation efforts by partnering closely with internal construction, engineering, operations, and legal/regulatory teams Maintain regular communication cadence with municipal stakeholders to provide project updates, address concerns, and reinforce Clearwave Fiber’s reputation as a responsive and responsible community partner Assist in identifying, tracking, and resolving municipal or regulatory risks that could impact construction timelines, operational execution, or market launches Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure alignment between government relations activities and broader market deployment objectives Support evaluation and coordination of external consultants, legal counsel, lobbying partners, or government relations agencies as needed Monitor competitor and overbuilder activity, municipal developments, and broader telecommunications industry trends across target markets Help develop market intelligence reporting, stakeholder tracking tools, dashboards, and internal updates for leadership Prepare presentations, briefing materials, and regular updates for senior leadership and internal stakeholders Requirements What you will need: 5–7+ years of experience in government relations, telecommunications, market expansion, public affairs, business development, infrastructure deployment, or related fields Telecom, broadband, fiber, cable, or utility industry experience strongly preferred Experience managing external stakeholder relationships, including municipalities, government agencies, or community organizations Strong understanding of permitting, municipal processes, infrastructure deployment, and governmental coordination Proven ability to operate independently while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders across several geographies Strong project management, communication, and organizational skills Ability to build trust and credibility with both external stakeholders and internal cross-functional teams Experience working collaboratively across construction, operations, engineering, legal/regulatory, and commercial organizations Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to navigate complex or ambiguous situationsAbility to clearly communicate updates, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership Bachelor’s degree required; relevant graduate degree or equivalent professional experience preferred Other Travel required: 50% BENEFITS Health & Wellness: Gain peace of mind with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage from day one. Plus, take advantage of company contributions to HSA/HRA accounts and an FSA plan to cover your healthcare expenses. Work-Life Balance: Recharge and rejuvenate with up to 20 days of paid time off in your first year, ensuring you have the flexibility to enjoy life outside of work. Financial Security: Competitive salary ($105-130k DOE) and benefits package. Including short term bonus plans. Plan for your future with our generous 401(k) matching program, featuring immediate vesting. Additionally, safeguard yourself and your loved ones with company-paid life insurance and voluntary options for dependents, along with company-paid short-term and long-term disability plans. ADDITIONAL PERKS Tech Advantage: As a part of our team, you'll also enjoy free Clearwave Fiber services if you reside within our service footprint, keeping you connected and productive. Support & Assistance: Access our Employee Assistance Plan and 24/7 Health Advocate services at no cost to you, ensuring you have the support you need, whenever you need it. Referral Rewards: Benefit from our Employee Referral Program and earn rewards for bringing top talent to our team. Career Development: Invest in your professional growth with ongoing career development opportunities and recognition programs designed to celebrate your achievements. Additional Coverage: Explore optional coverage with our voluntary accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal plans, providing added peace of mind for life's unexpected challenges. Our Core Values Purpose - We are about more than ourselves. Ownership - We are owners. Courage - We embrace challenge. Resourcefulness - We find a way. Simplicity - We focus on what matters. Pre-hire Assurance Rest assured, Clearwave Fiber prioritizes the safety and security of our associates and customers. Job offers are contingent upon successful background checks, drug screenings, and reference checks. Once cleared, embark on a fulfilling and rewarding career journey with us. Equal Opportunity Employer Clearwave Fiber is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The employing entity for this position is Clearwave Fiber. Employment terms, benefits, payroll administration, and related policies are governed by Clearwave Fiber and may differ from those offered by other affiliated companies, including Point Broadband. #J-18808-Ljbffr