Senior Permitting Manager

Position Title: Senior Permitting Manager
Department: Engineering & Permitting
Reports To: Director of Operations / Vice President of Engineering
Location: In-person

Position Summary

The Senior Permitting Manager is responsible for leading and managing all permitting activities associated with fiber optic network deployments, including FTTH, middle-mile, long-haul, and enterprise fiber projects. This position oversees a team of permitting specialists and coordinators while serving as the primary liaison between clients, municipalities, utility companies, transportation agencies, railroads, and regulatory authorities.

The Senior Permitting Manager will ensure permit applications are accurately prepared, submitted, tracked, and approved in accordance with project schedules and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate possesses extensive knowledge of telecommunications infrastructure permitting, right-of-way regulations, utility coordination, and fiber network deployment practices. This position plays a critical role in supporting network planning, engineering design, and construction operations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of permitting managers, specialists, and coordinators.
• Establish permitting workflows, procedures, and quality control standards.
• Create and monitor department KPIs related to permit cycle times, approval rates, and project schedules.
• Conduct performance evaluations, training, and professional development planning.
• Manage staffing levels and resource allocation across multiple projects.
• Promote a culture of accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Permitting Operations

• Oversee the preparation, submission, and acquisition of permits for:
• Fiber optic underground construction
• Aerial fiber installations
• Directional boring operations
• Road crossings
• Utility crossings
• Railroad crossings
• Traffic control permits
• Encroachment permits
• Environmental permits
• Review permit drawings and construction packages for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure permit applications satisfy jurisdictional requirements and design standards.
• Monitor permit status and proactively resolve approval delays.
• Develop permitting schedules that align with engineering and construction milestones.

Agency & Utility Coordination

• Build and maintain relationships with:
• Municipalities
• Counties
• State Departments of Transportation
• Utility owners
• Electric cooperatives
• Railroad operators
• Tribal governments
• Federal agencies
• Coordinate directly with agencies regarding permit requirements, revisions, and approvals.
• Attend stakeholder meetings and represent the company on permitting matters.
• Negotiate permit conditions, restoration requirements, and right-of-way occupancy agreements.
• Represent the company at public meetings, permit review sessions, and stakeholder meetings.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local telecommunications regulations.
• Ensure compliance with:
• DOT standards
• FCC regulations
• Utility accommodation policies
• Environmental regulations
• Municipal ordinances
• Right-of-way requirements
• Develop permitting checklists and compliance procedures.
• Mitigate project risks associated with regulatory requirements.

Right-of-Way Management

• Direct right-of-way and easement acquisition activities when required.
• Oversee encroachment agreements, easement negotiations, license agreements, and access permits.
• Manage property owner communications and external consultants involved in land rights acquisition.

Project Management

• Collaborate with engineering, GIS, OSP design, and construction teams.
• Review project schedules and identify permitting risks.
• Track project budgets related to permitting and agency fees.
• Develop status reports and executive-level updates.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings and client reviews.
• Manage escalations affecting permit approval timelines.
• Maintain permit databases and documentation repositories.

Required QualificationsEducation

• Bachelor's Degree
• Equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Experience

• 5+ years of telecommunications, utility, transportation, or infrastructure permitting experience.
• 3+ years of management or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale FTTH, middle-mile, backbone, or enterprise fiber deployments.
• Experience working with state DOTs, municipalities, utility owners, and regulatory agencies.
• Proven success managing permitting programs across multiple jurisdictions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in fiber optic network planning and design.
• Knowledge of broadband grant programs and federally funded infrastructure requirements.
• Experience with:
• NCDOT, SCDOT, GDOT, VDOT, FDOT, or similar state agencies.
• Railroad permitting (CSX, Norfolk Southern, Genesee & Wyoming).
• Utility pole attachment and make-ready processes.
• Environmental permitting and NEPA compliance.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person