Construction Relations Manager

OpenKrill; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K with employer contribution

Paid time off

Job summary

Lumos is seeking a full-time Construction Relations Manager to strengthen contractor performance across our growing fiber footprint. You will lead contractor orientation, training, and field coaching to reduce risk and improve safety, quality, and damage prevention.

You will collaborate with Construction, Engineering, Safety, Quality, and Operations to implement standards, audit contractor performance, and drive continuous improvement in how we build our network.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in telecommunications, underground utility construction, damage prevention, contractor management, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience training contractors and leading field crews.

Responsibilities

• Develop, administer, deliver, and improve Contractor Orientation and continuing education for contractors and field personnel.
• Provide training on 811 legal requirements, excavator responsibilities, white lining, locate verification, and safe excavation.
• Conduct field audits and observations to assess contractor compliance with safety, quality, and damage-prevention standards.
• Coach contractors using Observe–Discuss–Educate–Correct–Document steps; escalate when needed.
• Analyze damages, audits, and feedback to identify risks and drive improvements.
• Serve as SME for damage prevention, excavation practices, and 811 requirements; translate lessons into training and procedures.
• Build relationships with contractors, utilities, and stakeholders; represent the company.
• Develop field-reference materials and training; track contractor performance and trends.
• Maintain reporting on damages and contractor performance; support leadership in reviews.
• Perform other duties as required by management.

Skills

Underground construction

Damage prevention

Contractor training

Field coaching

Safety & quality improvement

Stakeholder collaboration

Las distance communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

GIS

GIS ticketing platforms

Locate verification systems

Job description

Lumos is looking for a full-time Construction Relations Manager! If you have experience in telecommunications or underground utility construction and know how to build strong contractor relationships while driving safety, quality, and damage prevention in the field, we want to hear from you!

As a Construction Relations Manager, you'll help strengthen contractor performance across Lumos' growing fiber footprint. You'll lead contractor orientation and training, spend time in the field coaching and evaluating crews, and partner across Construction, Engineering, Safety, Quality, and Operations to reduce risk and continuously improve how we build.

Why Lumos:

Lumos is transforming the future of connectivity by building one of the nation's fastest-growing 100% Fiber Optic networks. Through T-Fiber, our joint venture with T-Mobile, we're working toward a shared goal of connecting 12 to 15 million homes by 2030 while expanding access to reliable, high-speed internet in the communities we serve.

Here, you'll find more than a job, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, take ownership of your work, and help shape how we grow. We move quickly, collaborate across teams, and believe the best ideas come from people who are curious, solutions-oriented, and ready to build what's next.

What You'll Do:

• Develop, administer, deliver, and continuously improve Contractor Orientation and continuing education for contractors, subcontractors, supervisors, and field personnel, clearly communicating company expectations for Safety, Quality, Damage Prevention, professional conduct, customer interaction, restoration, traffic control, documentation, and field performance
• Provide practical training and technical guidance on state 811 requirements, excavator responsibilities, white lining, Positive Response, locate verification, tolerance zones, potholing, safe excavation, utility crossings, HDD/trenchless construction, protection of exposed facilities, questionable locates, and/or damage incident response.
• Conduct planned and unannounced field audits, assessments, and observations to evaluate contractor compliance with company standards, contracts, construction specifications, safety and damage-prevention requirements, laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Coach contractors while maintaining accountability through a progressive approach: Observe - Discuss - Educate - Correct - Document - Follow Up - Escalate when necessary.
• Use damages, audits, quality findings, incidents, complaints, and operational feedback to identify recurring or elevated risks; develop targeted improvement plans and verify that corrective actions produce sustained results.
• Serve as the company's SME for contractor damage prevention, excavation practices, underground utility protection, and 811 requirements; research and interpret applicable laws, standards, requirements, emerging practices, and technologies.
• Support Construction, Engineering, Safety, Quality, Operations, leadership, and other groups. Participate in significant damage, near-miss, and incident reviews and help translate lessons learned into training, procedures, audit criteria, and preventive actions.
• Build productive relationships with contractors, locators, telecommunications providers, utilities, municipalities, DOT, engineering firms, 811 centers, Damage Prevention Councils, Utility Coordinating Committees, Common Ground Alliance organizations, safety organizations, and other stakeholders; represent the company at appropriate meetings and events.
• Develop field-reference materials and specialized training; analyze contractor performance metrics and trends; recommend program, standard, process, and training improvements; recognize exemplary performance; and maintain appropriate records of assigned activities.
• Develop and maintain reporting for damages, contractor performance, and other relevant measures.
• Support the Construction Relations Director team as needed and required.
• Perform additional duties as requested by the manager.

What You'll Bring:

• Strong knowledge of underground construction, damage prevention, excavation safety, and contractor field operations.
• Working knowledge of state 811/One Call laws and processes, including ticket management, Positive Response, locate verification, tolerance zones, white lining, and safe excavation requirements.
• Experience working with GIS, 811/One Call ticketing platforms, construction records, or similar systems used to track underground facilities and field activity.
• Ability to train, coach, and influence contractors and field teams while maintaining accountability and productive working relationships.
• Knowledge of utility locating, potholing, utility crossings, HDD/trenchless construction, and underground facility protection.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage effectively with field crews, contractor leadership, municipalities, utilities, and internal teams.
• Ability to analyze contractor performance, damage trends, ticketing data, audit findings, and other field information to identify risks and drive improvement.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach with sound judgment and the ability to work independently in active field environments.

What Makes You a Great Fit:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in telecommunications, underground utility construction, damage prevention, contractor management, construction safety, quality assurance, inspection, utility locating, training, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience working with contractors and field construction teams; experience with orientations, field training, audits, inspections, damage investigations, or contractor performance improvement strongly preferred.
• Direct experience with 811/One Call processes, ticketing requirements, utility locating, GIS systems, and damage-prevention practices strongly preferred.
• Practical understanding of how underground construction is planned and performed, with the ability to communicate credibly from field crews through contractor and company leadership.
• Proficiency in both Spanish and English strongly preferred.
• Valid, unrestricted driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to travel 80%+ and work across office, classroom, vehicle, and active construction environments.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently operates a computer, keyboard, and related office and field technology.
• Frequent travel to active construction and excavation sites with the ability to safely stand, walk, and navigate uneven terrain and work zones.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and safely maneuver around construction equipment as needed.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and construction-site conditions while wearing required PPE.
• Ability to carry training materials, field equipment, PPE, laptops, and presentation materials.
• Near-constant use of sight, speech, hearing, comprehension, and reasoning.

Benefits & Perks:

• Our commitment to communities includes recruiting and rewarding the Lumos team members who are working together to build a brighter tomorrow.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Competitive compensation packages, including bonus options for eligible positions.
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• 100% employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to professional support for life’s challenges.
• 401K plan w/ up to 5% employer contribution and a self-directed brokerage option.
• Wellness program offering education and cash incentives for gym attendance and nutrition programs.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Discounts on Lumos Fiber Internet for employees who live in our service areas.
• Discounts on