Manager-Colocation

TDS Telecom

6d•Remote

About The Position

At TDS Telecom, connecting people is at the heart of everything we do. We are forward thinkers who leverage cutting-edge fiber internet technology to strengthen communities. We are dedicated to excellence, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact? The Manager – Colocation is responsible for leading associates and consultants who plan, coordinate, and oversee Colocation and Joint Use activities across multiple states. This role works closely with internal partners—including Field Services, associate managers, Outside Plant Engineers, colocation (COLO) / right of way (ROW) team members—and external stakeholders such as third-party consultants and construction and engineering contractors to support both TDS competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) and incumbent local exchange carrirer (ILEC) operations and ensure company objectives are met. In this role, there is frequent direct communication and negotiation with senior external stakeholders, including director-level and executive vendor representatives, city managers, mayors, directors of public works, and other key decision-makers. The Manager – Colocation plays a critical role in driving program-level improvements by building strong relationships across internal and external teams to exceed business goals. As a strategic leader, this role requires advanced analytical thinking, strong negotiation capabilities, and the ability to influence outcomes across a wide range of stakeholders. The Manager – Colocation is responsible for overseeing Colocation and Joint Use activities supporting TDS Telecom fiber networks, ensuring compliance with RUS Outside Plant (OSP) guidelines and TDS OSP standards. In this role, you'll typically manage the company’s largest and highest-profile programs, projects, and initiatives. The Manager oversees team members supporting OOT and CLEC/ILEC projects across the full TDS footprint, monitoring costs, maintaining reporting, ensuring adherence to standards and practices, establishing workflows and protocols as needed, and tracking project progress to ensure construction support is delivered on time and within budget. In addition, this position is responsible for driving key TDS initiatives, setting performance expectations, and fostering a positive, collaborative environment that supports coaching, mentoring, and professional development. The Manager – Colocation continuously evaluates opportunities to strengthen team capabilities, elevate performance, and build a high-performing organization over time. This position has the ability to work remotely in any of the 40+ States in which TDS Telecom operates.

Requirements

Bachelors degree (or higher) -OR- 4+ years professional work experience.
5+ years of experience in Telephony or a related field.
3+ years of supervisory experience.
Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Excellent leadership, project management, customer relations and communications skills.
Thorough understanding of the telecommunications industry and principals.
Deep understanding of CLARITY/PM-style programs and creating analytic reports.
Thorough understanding of financial tracking and budgetary reporting.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Understanding of Colocation/Joint use process.
Excellent written and oral communications skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Office suite as well as GIS and ESRi.
Working knowledge of RUS construction practices and engineering standards.
Ability to work in a cooperative and courteous manner with diverse work groups.
Must be self-motivated and self-reliant.
May be required to regular travel on an “as-needed” basis.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the management of TDS associates and/or consultants who are responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising colocation/joint use activities in multiple locations and states. The incumbent is expected to work closely with representatives from Field Services, associate managers, Outside Plant Engineers, ROW team members, 3rd party consultants, and construction/engineering contractors for both TDS OOT & CLEC/ILEC operations to ensure that the needs of the company are being met. This position sets strategic agenda for program with little to no initial input to derive effective strategic plans. This position interfaces with multiple senior manager, director, and VP resources on a daily basis.
Responsible for the Colocation/Joint use activities of TDS Telecom fiber networks while conforming to existing RUS Outside Plant (OSP) guidelines and TDS OSP. They will be responsible for continually working with various power company/3rd party pole owners (Telephone/CATV) entities when/where applicable. Negotiation, coordination, and cooperation skills to expedite permitting/workflow with pole owner are crucial to this role. This position must effectively manage a diverse set of factors (see above) while also operating on the highest priority program level tasks at TDS.
Verify all permitting documentation to gain access to aerial plant (Power & 3rd party poles) is accurate, complete, and clear. They will seek to drive consistency and clarity of all protocols to expedite permit approval process.
Verify that all documentation required to complete projects successfully, including bid jobs, build orders, job start agreements, and close-out documentation, is complete.
Review all required reports from Colocation/Joint use team and contractor invoicing for accuracy. Role will track and process PO’s, check requests, etc. to drive accuracy for reporting internally to TDS Finance Department
Use strong OSP background to assist in troubleshooting escalated issues when necessary to achieve expedited results with pole owners or internal teams.
Provide human resource management necessary for completion of network projects. This includes managing in-house deployment staff as well as engaging and managing professional consultant engineers during peak periods. Focus is on personnel development through performance assessments, coaching, recognition, and process improvement.
Conduct periodic quality assurance inspection of OSP projects performed by local operations.
Manage specific OSP projects if schedule permits.