Vice President, Network Planning, Engineering & Construction

Company Description

At Brightspeed, we are reimagining how people live, work, play and connect by providing fast, reliable internet connections and an awesome customer experience in twenty states throughout the Midwest and South.

Backed by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, our vision is to accelerate the upgrade of copper to fiber optic technologies, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to many rural markets traditionally underserved by broadband providers, while delivering best-in-class customer experience.  

Be a part of the team that will make this vision a reality….designing and building a world class fiber network and creating a customer experience second to none.

Check us out on the web!  

Job Description

Brightspeed is seeking a visionary and results-driven Vice President of Network Planning, Engineering & Construction to lead the strategic execution of our multi-billion-dollar fiber infrastructure investment. Reporting directly to SVP of Engineering and Network Operations, this role will oversee all aspects of network planning, fiber architecture, engineering design, and construction execution, driving the transformation of our network to serve over 5 million premises with fiber. 

This executive will play a pivotal role in shaping Brightspeed’s future, ensuring the successful deployment of next-generation fiber networks while fostering innovation, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.

As the Vice President, Network Planning, Engineering & Construction your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership & Execution:
  • Lead the end-to-end strategy and execution of Brightspeed’s fiber network deployment program.
  • Define long-term network planning and engineering road maps aligned with business growth and customer experience goals.
  • Oversee the design and implementation of scalable, future-ready fiber architectures and engineering standards.
• Engineering & Construction Oversight:
  • Direct all engineering and construction activities, including wire center upgrades, core network deployments, outside plant builds, and infrastructure modernization.
  • Oversee deployment strategies and execution for business and wholesale customers, including fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), fiber-to-the-tower (FTTT), and other enterprise-grade solutions.
  • Manage internal engineering teams and external infrastructure service providers to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality deployments.
  • Develop and enforce engineering and construction guidelines for new fiber architectures.
• Vendor & Partner Management:
  • Negotiate strategic agreements with OEMs and service providers, including pricing, performance metrics, and resource planning.
  • Ensure alignment of vendor capabilities with Brightspeed’s deployment goals and timelines.
• Government & Regulatory Engagement:
  • Serve as a senior liaison in interactions with federal, state, and local government entities regarding broadband deployment.
  • Lead efforts to secure public funding and subsidies for network expansion through grant applications and regulatory advocacy.
• Technology & Systems Development:
  • Oversee the design and implementation of network inventory, engineering, and construction management systems.
  • Champion process innovation and digital transformation across planning and build operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Culture Building:
  • Partner with Product, Finance, Legal, and Operations to support go-to-market strategies for fiber-based services.
  • Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across planning, engineering, and construction teams.
  • Build and mentor a high-performing, diverse leadership team focused on delivering strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

WHAT IT TAKES TO CATCH OUR EYE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Extensive experience in large-scale fiber network deployments and infrastructure program management.
• Proven track record of leading engineering and construction teams in high-growth environments.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate technical strategies into business impact.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating complex contracts.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and public funding me