Manager, Network Connectivity – Carrier Strategy

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take charge of the complete site connectivity selection process for each new data center location, encompassing assessment, requirements gathering, carrier outreach, engineering, procurement, and activation.

• Utilize FiberLocator, PeeringDB, state 811/one-call records, and local insights to map regional fiber and carrier infrastructure.

• Negotiate Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), colocation contracts, dark fiber Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRUs), and wavelength/transport agreements with both national and regional carriers.

• Facilitate carrier engineering sessions to establish construction budgets, timelines, and commitments to route diversity.

• Oversee and develop a small team of carrier relations Technical Program Managers (TPMs) and representatives; prioritize tasks, mentor team members, and ensure adherence to timelines.

• Provide strategic advice to executive and network leadership regarding expansion sites based on carrier capabilities, fiber availability, land/power economics, and regional demand.

• Collaborate with Network Engineering/Architecture on connectivity design and with operations on Points of Presence (POP) activation and backbone integration.

• Monitor carrier performance, accuracy of delivery, responsiveness, and quality of construction; implement the carrier engagement playbook.

• Assess self-build fiber opportunities in partnership with local construction firms.

• Contribute to shaping the backbone expansion strategy and data center connectivity as Vultr expands globally.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in network infrastructure, telecommunications, or data center connectivity, including over 5 years in negotiating fiber, transport, peering, transit, and colocation agreements.

• Extensive understanding of fiber construction economics and logistics, including route surveys, make-ready processes, right-of-way issues, permits, ILA/hut placement, splicing and amplification engineering, and realistic construction timelines.

• Proven ability to assemble multi-party connectivity agreements, dark fiber IRUs, wavelength leases, colocation contracts, and self-built metro fiber deals with national and regional carriers.

• A strong history of cultivating relationships with carriers at both engineering and executive levels.

• Solid understanding of long-haul and metro transport technologies, including 800/400G-ZR/ZR+, DWDM, amplification, distance constraints, and route diversity design.

• Experience in advising on network POP/site placement strategies, carrier hotels, Internet Exchange (IX) presence, PeeringDB familiarity, and the trade-offs between rural and metro builds.

• Familiarity with IP networking technologies and best practices, including BGP, Segment Routing, MPLS, Traffic Engineering, Service Level Objectives (SLOs), and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

• Knowledge of software development and related tools, including GIS, scripting, agentic coding, network traffic analysis, network simulation, and synthetic monitoring.

• At least 3 years of experience in people management or clear readiness to take on a management role.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; capable of creating executive summaries and detailed engineering specifications.

• Willingness to travel for carrier meetings, site inspections, and construction reviews up to 25% of the time.

• Must be based in the United States.

• Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

• Must not require sponsorship for employment visa status.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive company-paid insurance premiums for employee medical, dental, and vision plans.

• A 401(k) plan that matches 100% up to 4%, with immediate vesting.

• Annual Professional Development Reimbursement of $2,500.

• 11 holidays, along with Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual and a rollover plan.

• Increased PTO awarded at the 3-year and 10-year anniversaries.

• A 1-month paid sabbatical every 5 years.

• An Anniversary Bonus awarded each year.

• A $500 stipend for remote office setup in the first year, followed by $400 each subsequent year.

• Internet reimbursement of up to $75 per month.

• Gym membership reimbursement of up to $50 per month.

• Company-paid Wellable subscription.