Assistant Manager of Plant Operations

Giant Communications • Holton, KS

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Manager of Plant Operations is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, execution, and continuous improvement of all network operations across the company's telecommunications infrastructure. This position provides operational leadership for outside plant construction, network maintenance, service restoration, capital projects, contractor management, and cross-functional coordination while helping ensure the organization's plant operations function as one cohesive team. Working closely with the Manager of Plant Operations and Broadband Network Managers, this role provides leadership across fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), copper, coaxial, fixed wireless, voice, and broadband networks while balancing the needs of daily operations with long-term strategic planning. This position is intended to develop into a senior operational leadership role and requires both strong technical knowledge and exceptional leadership ability. We are seeking a leader who combines technical expertise with operational excellence. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, remains calm under pressure, and understands that leadership is measured by the success of the team. They are equally comfortable discussing fiber architecture, reviewing capital budgets, coordinating construction projects, and mentoring future leaders. The ideal candidate is forward-thinking, highly organized, collaborative, and committed to building the telecommunications networks that will serve our communities for decades to come.

Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership and sound decision-making.
• Strong initiative and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fiber, copper, coaxial, fixed wireless, and voice telecommunications networks.
• Strong understanding of outside plant construction, maintenance, and infrastructure lifecycle management.
• Working knowledge of GPON/XGS-PON, VoIP, switching, routing, and network operations.
• Familiarity with fiber splicing, number portability, and telecommunications provisioning.
• Experience coordinating multiple concurrent projects, budgets, schedules, contractors, and resources.
• Understanding of regulatory, environmental, and safety compliance.
• Ability to analyze operational performance and identify process improvements.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat/PDF management, and standard business software.
• Comfortable learning and using GIS, project management, inventory, and telecommunications management systems.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Assist in leading the day-to-day operations of all plant-related activities across the organization.
• Coordinate Broadband Network Managers, internal staff, contractors, engineering firms, vendors, and organizational resources to ensure projects are executed safely, consistently, on schedule, and within budget.
• Promote standardized operating procedures, documentation, and quality standards across all service areas.
• Support emergency response, outage restoration, and business continuity efforts.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Assist with planning and execution of outside plant construction, maintenance, network lifecycle management, and grant-funded initiatives.
• Participate in project estimating, bid reviews, and contractor selection.
• Support operations involving GPON/XGS-PON fiber networks, copper, coaxial broadband, fixed wireless, POTS, digital voice, streaming television, and future access technologies.
• Support annual capital planning, operational budgeting, and project prioritization that balances customer experience with long-term infrastructure investment.
• Partner with inventory personnel to ensure effective material planning, accountability, and utilization.
• Monitor project milestones, budgets, resource allocation, and operational risks while developing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities for Broadband Network Managers and technical staff, including succession planning.
• Promote collaboration across engineering, customer operations, customer service, accounting, and executive leadership while encouraging innovation and process improvement.
• Develop and monitor operational performance indicators, including project delivery, network reliability, service restoration, installation intervals, quality assurance, contractor performance, safety, and inventory accountability.
• Prepare operational reports and recommendations for executive leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level