Associate Director of Strategic Operations

Forged Fiber 37•Dallas, TX

1d•Remote

About The Position

At Forged Fiber, our mission is bold but simple: deliver fast, reliable, future-proof connectivity that builds the foundation for everything online. As we execute, we believe the right way to do something is the only way. This foundation guides how the company builds, operates , and maintains a state-of-the-art open-access fiber network platform that empowers millions. Forged Fiber is about more than building a network. It is about people. Every role matters. Every contribution counts. Together, employees create impact through teamwork, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence. Forged Fiber is looking for an Associate Director of Strategic Operations to lead a high-impact team that helps turn strategy into execution across our Build and Operations organizations. In this role, you will lead Program Managers and Project Managers who support major network build initiatives, operational readiness, process improvements, and business-critical programs. This is an opportunity to shape how work gets prioritized, governed, communicated, and delivered as Forged Fiber continues to scale. The ideal leader is a strong operator, trusted partner, and people-focused coach who can bring structure, clarity, and momentum to complex cross-functional work.

Requirements

Experience leading program and project management teams in a complex operational, infrastructure, construction, telecommunications, or network build environment.
A strategic mindset with the ability to turn business priorities into clear plans, practical governance, and measurable outcomes.
Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and align leaders and teams across Build, Operations, Finance, IT, Engineering, Construction, and executive stakeholders.
Confidence developing clear reporting, dashboards, action trackers, risk registers, and decision materials for senior leaders.
A people-first leadership style with strong coaching, communication, change management, and organizational skills.
Comfort operates in a fast-moving, matrixed environment where priorities can shift and sound judgment matters.
Requires up to 25 % travel based on business needs
Bachelor’s degree or work history in business administration, Engineering, Construction Management, Telecommunications, Operations Management, Project Management, or related field.
5 + years of experience in program management, project management, operations, network build, infrastructure deployment, telecommunications, or a related field, including experience leading managers or cross-functional delivery teams.

Nice To Haves

PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, or similar certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and inspire a Strategic Support Group made up of Program Managers and Project Managers that work with the Operational Excellence Team.
Partner with the Operational Excellence team in strategic initiatives and execution
Create the structure, operating rhythms, and governance needed to help Build and Operations teams execute with clarity, speed, and accountability.
Partner closely with Build, Operations, Engineering, Construction, Finance, Supply Chain, IT, and other teams to align priorities, remove roadblocks, and keep critical work moving.
Oversee strategic initiatives, process improvements, operational readiness efforts, and build-support programs from intake through execution.
Bring visibility to key milestones, risks, issues, decisions, and resource needs through clear executive reporting, dashboards, and action trackers.
Coach program and project managers on best practices for planning, stakeholder engagement, risk management, scope control, and delivery discipline.
Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve handoffs, strengthen execution, and create scalable ways of working across Build and Operations.
Prepare leadership briefings, recommendations, and decision materials that help leaders make informed choices.
Balance team capacity, priorities, vendor or contractor support, and budget inputs to ensure the right focus on the highest-impact work.
Model a culture of trust, transparency, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.