Senior Telecommunications Project Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Telecommunications Project Manager leads the planning, execution, and delivery of complex fiber-optic Outside Plant (OSP) construction programs from engineering through final acceptance. This role ensures projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements.

This position requires extensive experience in utility and telecommunications construction, strong project management expertise, and the ability to coordinate across engineering, permitting, construction, procurement, and executive leadership teams. The Senior Telecommunications Project Manager serves as a primary liaison between field operations, internal leadership, and customer executives.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Project Planning, Scheduling, and Controls

• Develop, maintain, and manage project schedules using Gantt charts and critical path methodology.
• Establish project baselines, milestones, and performance targets.
• Analyze schedule impacts and implement recovery plans when delays occur.
• Coordinate schedules across engineering, permitting, procurement, and construction functions.

End-to-End Project Delivery

• Manage the full lifecycle of fiber construction projects from engineering and permitting through closeout.
• Oversee construction activities including plowing, trenching, boring, cable installation, splicing, and testing.
• Ensure work complies with design standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Support quality control, as-built documentation, and final acceptance.

Resource and Material Coordination

• Plan and allocate crews, equipment, and subcontractors in coordination with field leadership.
• Coordinate with procurement and inventory teams to ensure timely material availability.
• Forecast workforce and equipment needs based on project sequencing and backlog.
• Adjust resource plans to address changing priorities, weather, and customer directives.

Risk and Performance Management

• Develop and maintain project risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Identify operational, financial, regulatory, and schedule risks.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions.
• Escalate critical risks and issues with recommended solutions.

Financial and Cost Management

• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls.
• Review job cost reports, labor utilization, equipment charges, and material expenditures.
• Identify cost variances and implement corrective measures.
• Support change order development, pricing, and negotiations.

Stakeholder and Leadership Engagement

• Serve as the primary project interface for customer executives and internal leadership.
• Maintain transparent communication regarding schedules, risks, and deliverables.
• Lead coordination meetings with customers, municipalities, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to developing project management staff.

Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain comprehensive project records including schedules, risk registers, and cost reports.
• Prepare and submit regular status updates to leadership and customers.
• Ensure accurate tracking of milestones, deliverables, and contractual obligations.
• Validate closeout documentation and billing packages.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Outside Plant utility and telecommunications construction and 5 years of demonstrable project management experience managing large scale fiber-optic infrastructure projects.
• Advanced knowledge of project scheduling, Gantt charts, and critical path methodology.
• Comprehensive understanding of fiber construction processes including engineering, permitting, and installation.
• Strong foundation in project management principles and controls.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Other recognized project management credentials considered.
• Background working with utilities, municipalities, and funding agencies.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP and job-costing systems such as Viewpoint Vista.
• Experience supporting federally or state-funded infrastructure programs.

Core Competencies

• Strategic project planning and execution
• Critical path analysis and schedule recovery
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Financial management and forecasting
• Cross-functional leadership
• Customer relationship management
• Decision-making under pressure
• Process improvement and standardization

Performance Indicators

• On-time and on-budget completion of assigned projects.
• Accuracy and reliability of project schedules and forecasts.
• Effectiveness of risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Reduction in change orders, rework, and schedule delays.
• Customer satisfaction and program performance ratings.
• Resource utilization efficiency and productivity metrics.
• Quality and completeness of project documentation.
• Adherence to company policies and contractual obligations.