The Role

In the role of Permitting Manager, you will be involved in driving large network projects with a primary focus on monitoring permit applications status including project management of third party vendors that apply for permits on Lumen’s behalf. This role will play a critical role in Lumen’s fiber investments acting as a force multiplier for both economic development, growth, and sustainability in communities.  Operationally, you will work within the Network Implementation team and collaborate with multiple internal teams. You will be responsible and measured on your ability to successfully improve network implementation cycles, increase visibility to permitting status, and removing obstacles as they arise. Your role would be responsible for proactively collaborating with third party vendors as well as local governments and utilities to create a positive relationship that results in reduced cycles for permitting, ROW agreements, and pole permissions from the various governing bodies. You will also be responsible for ensuring that we have favorable terms that are acceptable for our deployment teams and are within the expectations set with regulatory requirements and corporate guidance. A successful candidate will have the ability to quickly establish relationships and clear lines of communication and be able to provide clarity on permit status within the region you support.
 

The Main Responsibilities

•    Provide guidance on all permit requirements and expected timelines for network implementation projects at the time of project creation
•    Track and monitor various types of permits submitted by internal teams or third party vendors
•    Manage third party vendors as needed. This includes milestone monitoring, cost and performance management
•    Assess and communicate permitting risks impacting implementation projects to upper management
•    Work directly with your local Network Implementation team to understand details of the build and clear existing roadblocks with local permitting offices
•    Manage successful resolution of obstacles/issues through internal escalations and external negotiations with permitting entities as needed
•    Improve permitting, ROW approvals, and permission to attach approval to meet company deployment targets
•    Quality control submittals that are going to our largest and most sensitive areas to ensure the work being submitted meets the requirements of the governing entities
•    Work with local governments to understand details of permitting application processes
•    Work with vendors when necessary to ensure accuracy of information flow between vendors, local permit offices, and other external partners (utilities, community orgs, businesses)
•    Work with State Government Affairs Directors to build upon/maintain relationships with appropriate permit offices and city, county, and state lawmakers
•    Act as the ‘connective tissue’ between internal and external organizations ensuring clear lines of communication across organizations internally and externally
•    Represent Lumen in meetings with local government, community partners and neighborhood organizations as needed
•    Monitor local ordinance related to broadband providers, permitting, grants and community development
•    Work to expand partnerships in communities through available grant opportunities 
 

What We Look For in a Candidate

•    Minimum of 5 years of experience working in network implementation where permits where required
•    Working in a role handling jurisdictional and property agreement negotiations is an asset
•    Ability to act as the operational driver for both traditional and innovative permit application solutions
•    Proficient at activity monitoring and tracking, as well as risk assessment and monitoring
•    High degree of integrity due to nature of information involved and visibility of the position
•    Ideal candidate will have working knowledge of permitting processes of government and utilities and the ability to act as the operational driver for both traditional and innovative permit application solutions
•    Excellent manager of relationships and proven record of ability to work with elected officials, policymakers, and senior staff
•    Strong verbal and written communications skills
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Compensation

The starting salary for this role differs based on the employee’s primary work location. Employees typically do not start at the top of the range, though compensation depends on each individual’s qualifications.

Location Based Pay Ranges

$80510 – $107340 in these states: AR, ID, KY, LA, ME, MS, NE, SC, and SD.
$84740 – $112980 in these states: AZ, AL, FL, GA, IN, IA, KS, MO, MT, NM, ND, OH, OK, PA, TN, UT, VT, WV, WI, and WY.
$88980 – $118630 in these states: CO, HI, MI, MN, NV, NH, NC, OR, and RI.
$93210 – $124280 in these states: AK, CA, CT, DE, DC, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, TX, VA, and WA.

As with the pay range variety that’s based on the region of a country, specific offers are determined by various factors such as experience, education, skills, certifications and other business needs.