Vice President of Government Programs

NextLink•Hudson Oaks, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Government Programs leads applications, execution, and compliance across Nextlink’s government-funded broadband portfolio, including BEAD, RDOF, and state programs. The role oversees the process from funding application through network construction, reimbursement, and ongoing program compliance. The VP leads the grants and compliance team and coordinates work across Finance, Deployment, Engineering, Procurement, and compliance, establishing deadlines and driving accountability across senior teams. This executive role is based on-site at Nextlink’s Hudson Oaks, Texas headquarters. It involves frequent collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders, including government agencies, grantors, and contractors. The work is primarily office-based and involves computers, virtual meeting tools, and business systems, with travel as needed. Hours may vary as needed to meet program deadlines and business requirements.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in telecommunications, broadband, or infrastructure, including 3+ years leading complex, multi-site programs.
Hands-on experience executing federal or state broadband programs such as BEAD, RDOF, ReConnect, CPF, or similar programs, from application through ongoing compliance.
Experience leading a team and coordinating cross-functional program delivery.
Strong leadership, team development, project management, and organizational skills.
Ability to manage complex, multi-site programs and coordinate multiple concurrent workstreams.
Ability to interpret grant agreements, program rules, and proposed project designs and translate them into actionable plans.
Strong understanding of grant finance, cost allocation, matching requirements, and reimbursement documentation, including familiarity with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E.
Ability to drive results and accountability across senior peers and cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
Clear, direct communication skills when working with executives, operational teams, government stakeholders, and contractors.
Ability to establish priorities, manage deadlines, resolve blockers, and maintain accurate program documentation.
Must pass applicable background screening requirements.

Nice To Haves

BEAD compliance experience, including NEPA and BABA requirements.
Fixed wireless and fiber deployment experience.
Experience with NetSuite, Sitetracker, and monday.com.
Working knowledge of AI agents, MCPs, and APIs.
PMP or similar project management certification.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the grants team, setting priorities and owning results across all government-funded programs.
Lead new funding applications and rebid rounds, including opportunity assessment, location and cost modeling, and submissions designed to be buildable and compliant from the outset.
Own the integrated execution plan for active government programs, including milestones, dependencies, and blockers across approximately 50 concurrent workstreams.
Drive NEPA, permitting, Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance, and construction milestones to on-time completion.
Translate grant agreements, program rules, and federal requirements into clear operating requirements for internal teams.
Partner with Finance to capture, reconcile, and document eligible costs for reimbursement, matching requirements, and audits.
Ensure all milestone, quarterly, and closeout reports are delivered accurately and on time.
Own ongoing program compliance, including RDOF buildout milestones, performance testing, and Broadband Data Collection filings.
Manage post-construction BEAD obligations, including service, reporting, and record-retention requirements.
Build audit-ready processes with timely documentation of program activity and respond quickly to agency and grantor requests.
Represent Nextlink with state broadband offices, federal program staff, local grantors, and contractors regarding execution and compliance status.
Perform other duties as assigned.