Assistant Manager of Plant Operations

The Assistant Manager of Plant Operations is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, execution, and continuous improvement of all network operations across the company's telecommunications infrastructure. This position provides operational leadership for outside plant construction, network maintenance, service restoration, capital projects, contractor management, and cross-functional coordination while helping ensure the organization's plant operations function as one cohesive team.

Working closely with the Manager of Plant Operations and Broadband Network Managers, this role provides leadership across fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), copper, coaxial, fixed wireless, voice, and broadband networks while balancing the needs of daily operations with long-term strategic planning.

This position is intended to develop into a senior operational leadership role and requires both strong technical knowledge and exceptional leadership ability.

We are seeking a leader who combines technical expertise with operational excellence. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, remains calm under pressure, and understands that leadership is measured by the success of the team. They are equally comfortable discussing fiber architecture, reviewing capital budgets, coordinating construction projects, and mentoring future leaders.

The ideal candidate is forward-thinking, highly organized, collaborative, and committed to building the telecommunications networks that will serve our communities for decades to come.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assist in leading the day-to-day operations of all plant-related activities across the organization.
• Coordinate Broadband Network Managers, internal staff, contractors, engineering firms, vendors, and organizational resources to ensure projects are executed safely, consistently, on schedule, and within budget.
• Promote standardized operating procedures, documentation, and quality standards across all service areas.
• Support emergency response, outage restoration, and business continuity efforts.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Assist with planning and execution of outside plant construction, maintenance, network lifecycle management, and grant-funded initiatives.
• Participate in project estimating, bid reviews, and contractor selection.
• Support operations involving GPON/XGS-PON fiber networks, copper, coaxial broadband, fixed wireless, POTS, digital voice, streaming television, and future access technologies.
• Support annual capital planning, operational budgeting, and project prioritization that balances customer experience with long-term infrastructure investment.
• Partner with inventory personnel to ensure effective material planning, accountability, and utilization.
• Monitor project milestones, budgets, resource allocation, and operational risks while developing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities for Broadband Network Managers and technical staff, including succession planning.
• Promote collaboration across engineering, customer operations, customer service, accounting, and executive leadership while encouraging innovation and process improvement.
• Develop and monitor operational performance indicators, including project delivery, network reliability, service restoration, installation intervals, quality assurance, contractor performance, safety, and inventory accountability.
• Prepare operational reports and recommendations for executive leadership.

Success in this position will be demonstrated through

• Safe execution of all operational activities.
• Consistent on-time delivery of capital projects.
• Improved coordination across operational teams.
• Reduced operational disruptions and improved network reliability.
• Strong contractor and vendor performance.
• Accurate planning and resource management.
• Development of future operational leaders.
• Increased operational efficiency through standardized processes.
• Effective communication with employees, contractors, customers, and executive leadership.

• All plant department offices and buildings
• All direct and indirect report personnel files
• Plant and the company budget

• Demonstrated leadership and sound decision-making.
• Strong initiative and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities.

• Comprehensive knowledge of fiber, copper, coaxial, fixed wireless, and voice telecommunications networks.
• Strong understanding of outside plant construction, maintenance, and infrastructure lifecycle…