Associate Director, Network Real Estate

Verizon • Basking Ridge, NJ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Real Estate for Verizon’s AI Connect team leads strategic acquisition, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance for real estate and external network infrastructure supporting next-generation AI connectivity. The role is accountable for end-to-end site acquisition strategy for Inline Light Amplification Station (ILA) properties along long-haul fiber routes, including land purchases and ground leases. It also evaluates existing Verizon-owned properties for potential redevelopment into ILA use.

The role develops, negotiates, implements, and operationalizes network real estate agreements while ensuring infrastructure initiatives comply with federal, state, and local requirements. It leads a team of real estate and regulatory professionals, manages relationships with government and regulatory authorities, and partners with engineering, operations, and external stakeholders to deliver scalable, ethical connectivity solutions.

This hybrid position may be based at any US-based Verizon hub location. It has a defined work location, includes working from home, and requires at least three days per week in the office. The scheduled workweek is 40 hours, and travel may be required up to approximately 25% of the time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or at least four 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, specifically 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 or 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 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 managing 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 the ability to navigate 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 securing ground leases and fee-simple land purchases for long-haul ILA sites.
• Direct drafting, negotiation, due diligence—including title, environmental, and zoning reviews—and operationalization of commercial real estate contracts, land purchases, and long-term lease agreements.
• Manage and mentor real estate and regulatory professionals, including capacity planning, resource allocation, performance evaluations, coaching, and team status decisions.
• Interpret, evaluate, and monitor government regulations, including FCC, environmental, and municipal zoning and permitting requirements, and ensure audit readiness and compliance metrics.
• Build relationships with municipalities, county jurisdictions, and regulatory bodies; facilitate community outreach and public hearings for land-use approvals and special-use permits.
• Partner with long-haul fiber engineering, capacity planning, and outside plant teams to align ILA 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 streamline work and reduce cycle times.
• Address operational challenges with agility, encourage thoughtful candor, and prioritize impactful, ethical outcomes.

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
• Other incentives
• Potential premium pay, such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, and allowances
• Up to 15 days of vacation per year for newly hired employees, increasing with additional service

What This Job Offers

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