Dir, Outside Plant (OSP)

This leadership position requires the following non-delegable responsibilities:

• Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of the team and areas of responsibility. 
• Provide strong leadership to span of control (direct and indirect reports); demonstrate effective leadership in all interactions companywide.    This leadership includes generating enthusiasm and shared commitment; identifying and setting direction; teaching, growing, and empowering; owning outcomes; and leading by example. Specific leadership duties include:
• Establishing the vision and tone for the department, consistent with company culture and mission.
• Establishing clear, measurable, and achievable goals and performance expectations that align with organizational objectives and following up appropriately. 
• Hiring individuals who can accomplish those goals and meet those expectations; providing them the open communication, training, tools, and mentoring needed to be successful and develop professionally; establishing a development path commensurate with capabilities and potential.
• Providing clear and accurate feedback to individuals and teams on a timely and consistent basis. Identifying and addressing performance problems early and effectively before they damage GCI’s interests and demoralize other employees.
• Effectively managing processes including annual performance reviews, compensation adjustments, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions up to and including termination in an unbiased and consistent manner.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Provide clear, accountable leadership to OSP and support teams.
• Build a high‑performance culture focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Develop talent through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Foster collaboration across peer groups.
• Model and reinforce GCI’s culture by demonstrating ownership, transparency, and a commitment to developing high‑performing, engaged teams.

Organizational Effectiveness

• Design, optimize & scale organizational structures, workflows, and processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Establish & Implement performance metrics, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to track operational health and project progress.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce cycle times, improve quality, and enhance customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety standards.
• Coordinate crisis response & operational readiness efforts in support incident management.
• Accountability for performance of the HFC and long-haul fiber networks network.

Strategic Initiatives & Planning

• Support long‑range OSP network planning, including fiber expansion, capacity upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
• Partner with leadership to align OSP strategy with corporate growth objectives.
• Translate strategic initiatives into executable project plans with clear milestones and deliverables.

Budget Management

• Own the OSP operating budgets, maintain rigorous forecasting discipline through monthly budget reviews, variance analysis, and proactive course‑correction.
• Evaluate vendor proposals and manage external partners to ensure cost‑effective operations and maintenance.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality or reliability.
• Ensuring all spending aligns with strategic priorities, operational needs, and long‑term financial plans.

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
• 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 ability to provide effective cross functional influence and collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Regulatory and Legal teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence and advise with sound judgment and strategic thinking, building trust and driving alignment toward shared goals.
• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
  • Excellent communication with the ability to accurately articulate information to internal and external audiences, handle inquiries and complaints, and communicate effectively at all levels of the company.
  • Skilled at providing clear, impactful communication and technical presentations that align stakeholders and drives accountability.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
• RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
  • Proven capability leading multi-disciplinary teams, Construction Managers, and Field Technicians.
  • Proven ability to translate business objectives into scalable infrastructure solutions.
  • Proven data driven decision making using performance metrics, insights, and frontline feedback.
  • Expert knowledge of OSP design, construction, and maintenance for fiber optic networks, copper/coaxial infrastructure, and aerial, underground, undersea, and buried plant.
  • Advanced competency in overseeing large-scale OSP construction projects and managing contractor performance, schedules, and quality.
  • Demonstrated skill managing multi-million-dollar capital and operating budgets.
  • Demonstrated skill managing external vendors and contractors, including RFP development and bid evaluation, contract negotiation, and SLA and KPI enforcement.
  • Demonstrated skill working with municipalities and utilities, property owners, regulatory agencies, and joint-use partners.
  • Strong understanding of splicing, testing, and acceptance standards.
  • Familiarity with make-ready processes, joint-use coordination, and right-of-way access.
  • Working knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including pole attachment requirements, environmental and permitting rules, and DOT and municipal standards.
  • Knowledge of GIS-based network records, mapping systems, and asset management tools.
  • Knowledge of long-range network planning, capacity forecasting, and expansion strategies.
  • Ability to build business cases, ROI analysis, and cost-control strategies.
  • Ability to review and approve engineering drawings, prints, and as-builts.
• CHANGE MANAGEMENT: champions and supports department and company change.
  • Demonstrated ability to act as a catalyst for transformation, driving adoption of new processes, technologies, and ways of working. 
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, secure buy‑in, and lead teams through change with confidence and resilience.
• DECISION MAKING: uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.
• PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION: analyzes workload and establishes appropriate priorities; sets measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team.
• MENTORING & DEVELOPMENT: utilizes interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results.
  • Ability to build high performing teams through coaching, feedback, and capability enablement.
  • Ability to develop leaders, instill analytical rigor, and strengthen functional excellence across the organization.
• PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: sets clear performance expectations for team.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
  • Commitment to OSHA safety standards and company safety programs.
  • Ability to identify and mitigate construction, environmental, and operational risks.
• TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Network Engineering, or related field. *
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressive experience in outside plant engineering, construction, and/or network infrastructure in a telecommunications, broadband, fiber, cable, or utility environment, to include: *
  • At least five (5) years of experience overseeing large-scale OSP programs.
  • At least five (5) years of experience delivering complex, capital-intensive infrastructure projects from design through deployment.
  • At least five (5) years of supervisor/manager experience leading cross-functional teams.

Preferred: 

• Master’s degree in relevant field. 
• Professional certifications, such as Professional Engineer (PE), PMP (Project Management Professional), Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT), or other equivalent industry credentials.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

• This position requires driving a company-owned vehicle, company provided vehicle, or a personal vehicle on behalf of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.

• Work may occur in office, remotely, or at client sites depending on business needs.
• Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
• Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
• Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions. 
• Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary. 
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.