Director, Operational Excellence & Strategic Program Management (27783260

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. Thisfoundationguides how the company builds,operates, andmaintainsa state-of-the-artopen-access fiber network platformthatempowers millions.

Forged Fiber isabout 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…