Director, External Affairs, Network Permitting & Utilities

Company Description

Zayo provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 141,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, and dedicated Internet access. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises.

Zayo is seeking a Director, External Affairs, Network Permitting & Utilities, you will lead regional external affairs, network permitting, and utility coordination strategies that enable business growth, accelerate network deployment, and strengthen the company’s position with key external stakeholders.

You and your team will serve as strategic advocates for the business, leveraging deep telecommunications, regulatory, permitting, and utility expertise to navigate complex local and state environments, secure required permits and approvals, and advance business priorities. You will build and maintain strategic relationships with government officials, regulatory agencies, municipalities, utilities, industry associations, community organizations, and other key stakeholders.

This role will also lead and develop a geographically distributed team, drive operational excellence, and partner closely with internal stakeholders to ensure external affairs and permitting strategies are aligned with broader business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive regional external affairs, network permitting, and utilities strategy aligned with national priorities and business objectives.
• Lead regional permitting strategy and execution, ensuring permits, licenses, rights, permissions, and other required approvals are secured efficiently and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, regulatory agencies, municipalities, utilities, industry associations, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Represent the company with government officials, industry organizations, utilities, municipalities, and community stakeholders, advocating for policies, regulations, and processes that support network deployment, growth, and competitiveness.
• Monitor and assess local and state legislative, regulatory, permitting, and policy developments and provide strategic counsel to business leaders regarding potential impacts, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead utility coordination activities and establish productive partnerships with utilities and other stakeholders to support efficient network construction and operations.
• Manage state and local lobbyists and other external consultants or partners, ensuring activities and investments are aligned with regional and enterprise priorities.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Policy, External Communications, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and other business teams to align external affairs, permitting, and utility activities with company strategy and network objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve permitting and utility productivity, cycle times, and operating processes while maintaining quality, regulatory compliance, and effective stakeholder relationships.
• Develop, lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing, geographically distributed team of external affairs, permitting, and utilities professionals, establishing clear priorities, accountability, and performance expectations.
• Apply telecommunications, regulatory, permitting, and utility expertise to inform strategic decision-making, resolve complex issues, and support continuous improvement and innovation.
• Develop and manage applicable budgets, resources, and external expenditures, balancing operational efficiency, business priorities, quality, and compliance.
• Establish and monitor appropriate performance measures to evaluate permitting efficiency, stakeholder engagement, operational effectiveness, and progress against regional objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public policy, government affairs, telecommunications, engineering, project management, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunications, external affairs, government or regulatory affairs, network permitting, utilities, project management, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategies involving government affairs, regulatory compliance, network permitting, and/or utility coordination.
• Strong understanding of the telecommunications industry and the local and state regulatory, legislative, permitting, and utility environments affecting network deployment and operations.
• Proven track record of building effective relationships with government officials, municipalities, regulatory agencies, utilities, industry associations, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Established relationships with relevant government, industry, utility, municipal, and community decision-makers preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory, permitting, policy, and stakeholder challenges and translate them into actionable business strategies.
• Strong leadership and people-management experience, including leading geographically distributed teams and developing high-performing professionals.
• Strong project and program management capabilities, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, deadlines, and high-volume workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, influencing, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic and evolving industry.
• Proficiency with relevant project management, productivity, and telecommunications systems and tools.

Estimated base salary range: $126,600 - $194,700 USD/annually.

The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role. It takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Non- sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan. Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan.

Additionally, this position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off.

The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled.

Benefits, Rewards & Wellness

• Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
• Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave

Zayo is an equal opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

As part of the application, hiring, onboarding, and/or employment process, Zayo or its affiliates, partners, and vendors may collect, store, and use biometric identifiers and biometric information (collectively, “Biometric Data”), such as fingerprints, facial geometry scans or other unique biological characteristics. Zayo uses CLEAR1, a third-party identity verification service, to verify applicant identity during the hiring process. CLEAR1 may collect Biometric Data, including facial geometry scans and/or other biometric identifiers, to authenticate your identity. Biometric Data will be retained pursuant to CLEAR1’s policies, which can be found here: https://www.clearme.com/clear1-credential-policy-crp. Zayo will not sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit from any applicant's or employee's Biometric Data. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge this disclosure. Prior to any collection of Biometric Data — including through CLEAR — you may be presented with a separate consent form and asked to provide your written authorization in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (CUBI), and other applicable biometric privacy statutes.