Senior Transmission Network Strategist

GCI's Senior Staff Transmission Network Strategist will develop short and long-term transmission network strategy that drives innovation, optimizes capacity, and aligns with broader network goals and enterprise strategy. Functional leadership role expected to perform at high levels throughout the company, interacting with directors, senior directors, and vice presidents. Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME), technical consultant, and perform the role of Lead Architect for major and highly complex company initiatives.

This position requires the following non-delegable responsibilities:

• Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of areas of responsibility.

• Provide strong functional leadership and demonstrate effective leadership in all interactions company wide, including generating enthusiasm and shared commitment; identifying and setting direction; teaching, growing, and empowering; owning outcomes; and leading by example.

• Develop and maintain a documented 8-year transmission network vision and a 24-month to 5-year long-haul and middle mile transmission network architecture plan and roadmap that adapts to emerging technologies and aligns with overall network and business strategy.

• Plan for the efficient utilization of spectrum assets across all GCI wireless platforms including deployed vs. used capacity. Transmission network includes but is not limited to GCI’s long-haul fiber, microwave and geo satellite infrastructure.

• Contribute to development of short-term (1-2 year) transmission network strategy, project selection, and long-term CTO strategy.

• Support research into current and emerging technology trends to determine how these may add value to the business and provide appropriate briefings to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Foster strong partnerships with stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and accelerate technology adoption.

• Collaborate with Planning & Engineering, Product, SMO and senior leadership to ensure strategy alignment and address evolving business needs.

• Work with Planning & Engineering to integrate capacity forecasting and new technologies to enhance network performance and scalability with plan & roadmap.

• Ensure transmission network capacity aligns with expected customer demand.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize & reduce technical debt within the transmission network, ensuring modernization and future scalability.

• Ensure transmission network strategy is integrated with broader network strategy to maintain cohesive technological evolution across GCI.

• Guide and mentor junior staff.

• Stay ahead of industry trends, contribute to standards creation, and pilot emerging technologies to position GCI as a market leader.

• Act as internal advocate and SME for standards and emerging technologies.

• Maintain thorough understanding of market, competitors, and technology developments.

• Plan the efficient decommissioning and/or replacement of outdated platforms, coordinating efforts across teams to ensure smooth transitions.

• Advocate regularly and assist in making the business case for prioritization of critical decommissioning and technical debt retirement activities.

• ACCOUNTABILITY
  - Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.

• Maintain professional skillset by advancing credentials, participating in training, continuing educational opportunities, and technical organizations.

• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.

• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.

• Demonstrated superior diplomatic and interpersonal communications skills including experience managing and coordinating project teams and interfacing with engineering staff members and other SMEs.

• Strong influencing, negotiation,…