Associate Director, Network Real Estate
About The Position
The Associate Director of Real Estate for Verizon’s AI Connect team leads strategic real estate acquisition, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance for real estate and external network infrastructure supporting next-generation AI connectivity. The role’s primary focus is end-to-end site acquisition for Inline Light Amplification Station (ILA) properties along long-haul fiber routes, including land purchases and ground leases. The position is accountable for developing, negotiating, implementing, and operationalizing network real estate agreements while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Responsibilities may also include assessing Verizon-owned properties for redevelopment as ILA sites. The Associate Director leads a team of real estate and regulatory professionals, builds relationships with government and regulatory authorities, and partners with engineering, operations, and external organizations to deliver scalable, ethical connectivity solutions. The role oversees transactions and due diligence, permitting and regulatory compliance, team performance, budgets, vendors, risk management, and process improvement. This is a hybrid role with a defined Verizon hub location in the United States. Employees work from home and in the office at least three days per week, with the location and schedule set by the manager. The role is scheduled for 40 hours per week and requires travel up to approximately 25% of the time.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or four or more years of work experience.
- Six or more years of relevant experience in network real estate, site acquisition, land purchase or lease negotiation, or infrastructure regulatory compliance.
- Experience managing and leading teams, including talent development and performance management.
- Experience negotiating commercial real estate transactions, fee-simple land acquisitions, and ground leases, particularly for telecom, utility, or outside plant facilities.
- Working knowledge of environmental due diligence, including NEPA and Phase I/II ESA; title clearance; survey reviews; and municipal zoning and conditional use permitting.
- Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time.
- Valid driver’s license.
Nice To Haves
- Experience acquiring land or real estate for long-haul fiber routes, ILA/ILA huts, data centers, or edge infrastructure.
- Master’s degree, Juris Doctor (JD), or professional real estate license or brokerage background.
- Track record in vendor management, such as working with site acquisition firms, title companies, or environmental consultants, and capital budget oversight.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent credentials.
- Experience with process optimization methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean, or Agile project management.
- Strong persuasion, negotiation, and executive communication skills, including navigating complex landowner negotiations and municipal hearings.
- Ability to thrive in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment and adapt to changing network deployment priorities.
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategy for acquiring ILA sites along long-haul fiber routes, including ground leases and fee-simple land purchases.
- Direct the drafting, negotiation, due diligence, and operationalization of commercial real estate contracts, land purchases, and long-term lease agreements.
- Manage and mentor a team of real estate and regulatory professionals, including capacity planning, resource allocation, performance evaluations, coaching, and team status decisions.
- Interpret, evaluate, and monitor government regulations for ILA and network facilities, including FCC, environmental, and municipal zoning and permitting requirements; ensure audit readiness and compliance metrics.
- Develop relationships with municipalities, county jurisdictions, and regulatory bodies; facilitate community outreach and public hearings to obtain land-use approvals and special use permits.
- Partner with long-haul fiber engineering, capacity planning, and outside plant teams to align real estate milestones with fiber build schedules and business needs.
- Oversee real estate capital and operating expense budgets, vendor and turnkey site acquisition performance, and risk management strategies.
- Implement process improvements to reduce cycle times.
- Address operational challenges with agility, encourage thoughtful candor, and prioritize impactful and ethical outcomes.
- Evaluate existing Verizon-owned properties for possible redevelopment into ILA use.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Basic and supplemental life insurance
- AD&D insurance
- Identity theft protection
- Pet insurance
- Group home and auto insurance
- Matched 401(k) savings plan
- Up to 8 company-paid holidays per year
- Up to 6 personal days per year
- Paid parental leave
- Adoption assistance
- Tuition assistance
- Incentives and other components of Verizon’s total rewards package
- Potential premium pay, such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, or allowances
- Up to 15 days of vacation per year for newly hired employees, with additional vacation accruing with service
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
