Special Projects & Rural Broadband Fiber Manager

Description

The position of Special Projects & Rural Broadband Fiber Manager is a regular full-time, exempt managerial role that is responsible for overseeing all fiber splicing operations within the Special Projects and Rural Broadband business unit. This role oversees planning, execution, and delivery of fiber ‑ optic construction projects with a focus on rural broadband expansion. This role bridges engineering, construction, permitting, and stakeholder coordination to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. The manager leads special initiatives, pilots, and complex builds that require advanced problem ‑ solving and cross ‑ department collaboration with a particular focus on meeting the unique demands of rural broadband initiatives. This position has multiple direct reports, works out of the Statham, Georgia office and reports directly to the Fiber Program Manager.
This position works a schedule of 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position will have frequent travel around the state of Georgia to conduct field-based inspections at various job sites and meet with current & prospective customers. As a condition of employment, this position may be required to work extended hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as operational business needs require along with overnight travel to other job sites.

Responsibilities

Special Projects & Rural Broadband Operations Management:

• Plan, schedule, and oversee splicing operations across multiple special project and rural broadband builds from design through close-out. Serve as the escalation point for complex splicing or project challenges.
• Develop and manage staffing plans, resource allocation, and project schedules to meet customer and company requirements.
• Monitor budgets and expenses, track variances, and implement corrective measures when necessary.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for splicing processes, tools, and training.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and to customer specifications.

People & Culture:

• Provide leadership and direction to special project and rural broadband crews and subcontractors, providing direction, training, and performance oversight.
• Promote a culture of Safety First and ensure adherence to Company, customer, local, state, and federal safety regulations.
• Develop, mentor, and evaluate supervisors and other direct reports to ensure workforce readiness and professional growth.
• This leadership role is expected to champion and support all Company policies, procedures, and Values, while holding employees accountable to them.

Cross Functional Coordination:

• Collaborate with engineering, construction, and customer leadership teams to align goals and resolve issues.
• Foster professional communication with customers, project managers, and internal leadership regarding status, risks, and project needs
• Serve as the primary point of contact for special project customers, maintaining professional communication and resolving escalated issues.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Review and approve splicing documentation, testing results, and project records for accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare and present progress reports, performance metrics, and strategic updates to senior leadership.
• Utilize project tracking tools and documentation systems to report progress and issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Rural Broadband Deployment & Grant Compliance:

• Manage fiber builds in remote and underserved areas, addressing unique challenges such as terrain, permitting delays, and limited infrastructure.
• Coordinate with local governments, utilities, co ‑ ops, and community stakeholders to secure easements, ROW access, and construction approvals.
• Ensure adherence to federal and state broadband program requirements (e.g., BEAD, RDOF, USDA ReConnect).

Position Requirements

Formal Education & Certification:

• Completion of a High School Diploma or attainment of a General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D).
• Valid Class C License (CDL) license with no restrictions and a clean driving record.

Knowledge & Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in fiber or coax splicing, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Deep knowledge of coax and fiber splicing techniques, closures, documentation, and testing standards.
• Experience managing large splicing teams across multiple projects.
• Strong understanding of rural broadband builds and special project customer requirements.
• Proficiency with splicing test equipment (OTDR, Power Meter/Light Source, VFL, etc.) and digital reporting systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project tracking tools.
• Preference given to applicants with either OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.

Qualifications & Characteristics:

• Ability to read and interpret engineering documentation, fiber prints, and splicing records.
• Applicants must be able to wear personal protective equipment (“PPE”) when on job sites or other locations as directed.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials up to 50 pounds without an accommodation.
• Ability to stand, walk, and work in warehouse, yard and outdoors jobsites for up to a 12-hour shift.
• Ability to climb ladders, telephone poles and work at heights when providing directed training.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Professional communicator, able to manage relationships with both internal leadership and external customers.
• Flexible and adaptable to unique project demands and rural conditions.

Work Environment:

• Ability to work outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, heights, confined spaces, and active equipment under varied weather conditions that include humidity & seasonal temperature changes.

Equal Employment Opportunity : Cable-East, Inc. (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and will not tolerate discrimination against any employee or applicant seeking employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment based on race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
This job description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with this position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.