Manager, Long Haul Technician Operations [AZ-Phoenix]]

Zayo•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Manager, Long Haul Technician Operations leads a geographically dispersed team responsible for protecting Zayo’s long-haul fiber network through proactive route patrol, damage prevention, network intelligence, and emergency restoration support. The role oversees employee development, technical competency, operational performance, resource planning, and cross-functional coordination to improve network reliability while keeping route protection as the team’s primary responsibility. The manager leads field-team mobilization during significant fiber damage events and customer-impacting incidents, and partners with network and operations teams on damage assessment, testing, access, and restoration. The position also manages team performance, territory coverage, budgets, vendors, fleet and equipment needs, and resource planning. The role is based in Phoenix, Arizona, as indicated by the posting title. Applicants must already be authorized to work full-time in the United States; employer-sponsored work authorization is not available. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred, though equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered. The role requires at least five years of relevant experience and two years of supervisory, leadership, or management experience. The estimated annual base salary range is $71,800–$110,400. Non-sales roles may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive plan, and the position may be eligible for benefits including insurance and paid time off.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of relevant telecommunications, fiber network, OSP, Field Operations, or Damage Prevention experience.
Minimum of 2 years of supervisory, leadership, or management experience.
Strong knowledge of fiber optic networks, long-haul infrastructure, outside plant operations, Damage Prevention, utility locating, and excavation risk.
Demonstrated ability to lead geographically dispersed field teams and prioritize resources based on network risk and customer impact.
Experience managing operational performance, budgets, workforce capacity, vendors, and field resources.
Ability to interpret operational data, drive process improvements, and communicate effectively with employees, cross-functional partners, and senior leadership.
Strong safety orientation and demonstrated ability to lead during high-pressure network incidents and restoration events.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; employer-sponsored work authorization is not available now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Engineering, Business, Management, or a related field; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered.
Experience supporting long-haul fiber networks, restoration, utility locating, or Damage Prevention.
Familiarity with OTDR and fiber testing equipment, GIS, network documentation, and field workforce-management systems.

Responsibilities

Oversee long-haul route patrol, damage prevention, construction monitoring, and approved secondary technical activities at ILA, POP, and other network locations.
Prioritize resources based on network risk, construction activity, customer impact, and route coverage requirements.
Ensure authorized and trained employees perform preventive maintenance, fiber testing, alarm investigation, and facility inspections without compromising route protection.
Use geographically positioned technicians to improve response times, reduce unnecessary dispatches, and increase operational efficiency.
Standardize workflows, improve documentation, and implement systems for patrol management, locate audits, and network maintenance.
Lead field-team mobilization and coordination during significant fiber damage events and customer-impacting incidents.
Coordinate with NOC, Service Assurance, OSP, Emergency Restoration, Engineering, and other stakeholders on damage assessment, fiber testing, access, and restoration.
Ensure timely and accurate communication of field conditions, network threats, and restoration requirements.
Conduct post-incident reviews and apply lessons learned to damage prevention and route protection strategies.
Hire, lead, coach, and retain a geographically dispersed team of Long Haul Technicians.
Set expectations for safety, route ownership, technical competency, communication, documentation, and accountability.
Develop onboarding, training, certification, and mentoring programs covering fiber testing, ILA/POP maintenance, outside plant assessment, locate validation, and restoration support.
Provide performance feedback, identify development opportunities, and support succession planning.
Establish and monitor operational KPIs for preventable fiber damage, patrol completion, construction engagement, locate accuracy, safety, restoration readiness, technical productivity, and employee development.
Use operational data and reporting to identify risks, address performance gaps, and drive continuous improvement.
Evaluate workforce capacity and territory coverage, including headcount, Business Partner support, and route realignment needs.
Manage territory budgets, overtime, travel, vendor utilization, fleet requirements, equipment, and emergency restoration resources.
Develop business cases for additional resources and align spending with forecasts and business objectives.
Build partnerships across Damage Prevention, Field Operations, NOC, Service Assurance, OSP, Engineering, Emergency Restoration, Construction, GIS/Network Records, Locate Operations, Procurement, Fleet, and external service providers.
Connect field intelligence with the teams responsible for network operations, maintenance, restoration, and infrastructure records.
Ensure work follows safety, maintenance, change management, and escalation procedures while respecting organizational ownership and technical authorization boundaries.