Director, Construction

RCN Management Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 132,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k retirement plan

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discount

Job summary

Astound is seeking a Director of Construction to lead design and construction for plant projects, rebuilds, and upgrades in Illinois. You will drive budgets, manage internal and contract teams, and ensure safety standards and quality control across multiple projects.

The role requires extensive OSP and FTTH/HFC experience, strong leadership, and collaboration with executive teams and external partners. Occasional travel within IL/IN is expected, with a comprehensive benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• 10+ years OSP experience in communications construction and maintenance, or an equivalent combination.
• Minimum of 3 years leadership experience supervising in-house and contract labor.
• Travel may be required across the Illinois/Indiana offices.
• Experience with FTTH and HFC network design and construction methods.

Responsibilities

• Manage design and construction of activities for plant projects, rebuilds, and upgrades.
• Develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, and expenditure for construction efforts.
• Oversee safety, quality, and regulatory compliance on all projects.
• Direct and develop internal and contract labor resources, including performance assessments.

Skills

Leadership experience

OSP Design Engineer

FTTH knowledge

HFC network design

Fiber architectures

Microsoft Office

Project management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

OSP Insight

Adobe Acrobat

Google Earth

Smartsheets

Job description

A Day in the Life of the Director, Construction

Manage the design and construction of all activities in support of plant constructions, rebuilds and existing plant upgrades. Work closely with the leadership team to develop annual and project budgets, allocating appropriate funds for new builds, rebuilds, upgrades and other construction efforts. Provide management support for Design, Construction, Fiber Construction, Planned and Emergency Restoration, Utility Relations and Project Management. Manage financial resources to ensure compliance with budget allocations and forecasts Provide subject matter guidance to employees. Oversee the development and the administration of performance standards for the organizational unit. Manage a team which may include exempt and non-exempt employees, providing development, training and promotion opportunities where applicable Develop processes and procedures to drive department efficiencies, assist in development and meeting of departmental budget. Schedule construction projects; oversee compliance of safety standards and quality control of construction projects. Initiate and monitor processes for expenditures while ensuring budget compliance. Verify applicable construction codes and safety regulations are being applied and upheld. Maintain a high level of productivity; assuring time frames are met for projects occurring simultaneously. Track and generate reports on project status. Track and trend expenditures and approve invoices within budgetary guidelines. Manage inventory requirements for construction projects. Authorize company expenditures related to construction activities. Manage all projects to meet or exceed minimum specification to Company Construction Policy, FCC Technical Standards, NEC, OSHA, State, County and/or City and all other applicable agencies. Maintain the invoice verification program for all contractor projects. Works with Marketing and Commercial Development teams to ensure budgeted subscribers are built, activated and/or upgraded as planned. Demonstrate a consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion Supervise and evaluate construction personnel; coordinate construction efforts through in-house and contract labor for new construction and rebuild projects both aerial and underground. Represent the interests of Astound in a professional manner with governmental, municipal, and related industry organizations. Create and maintain accurate project documentation and reporting through departments data management programs in a timely and efficient manner. Coordinate and work with utility companies, developers and engineers. Monitor contractor performance; ensure adherence to terms and conditions of agreements and ensure all personnel and contractors are adhering to local and state construction requirements and codes. Perform site inspections for quality control and safety. Coordinate permitting and make-ready process. Manage communications with internal/external groups. Communicate with Project Manager or designated supervisor regarding concerns about construction progress. Review and process damage claims. Work closely with staff in developing capital projects and purchase requests for the construction team. Other duties as assigned

What You Bring to the Table

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Prior experience as OSP Design Engineer or 10+ years OSP experience in communications construction and maintenance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of successful leadership experience, supervising in-house and contract labor resources.
• Advanced understanding of access networks on various fiber architectures.
• Experience with fiber to the home (FTTH) and HFC network design and construction methods
• Solid knowledge in OSP construction methods and practices
• Proven understanding of Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong interpersonal and customer services skills
• Proven leadership skills Vision ability; close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Travel may be required across the Illinois/Indiana offices as needed
• Knowledgeable experience with Microsoft Office Suite, OSP Insight, Adobe Acrobat, Google Earth, Smartsheets and other various support software.
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Work performed in both climate‑controlled and non‑climate‑controlled environments, with potential exposure to heat, cold, dust, damp conditions, uneven surfaces, heights, and moving vehicles
• Prolonged standing, walking, sitting, and driving required
• Ability to safely climb and work from ladders for extended periods of time
• Reaching, pushing, pulling, climbing stairs and ladders, and using hands above and below shoulder level
• Ability to bend, twist, kneel, squat, crawl, and maintain various body positions and perform fine motor tasks, forceful gripping, and limited keyboarding

We're Proud to Offer a Comprehensive Benefits Package Including

• 401k retirement plan, with employer match
• Insurance options including: medical, dental, vision, life and STD insurance
• Paid Time Off/Vacation: Starting at 80 hours per year, and increases based on tenure with the organization
• Floating Holiday: 40 hours per year
• Paid Holidays: 7 days per year
• Paid Sick Leave: Astound allows a number of paid sick hours per calendar year and varies based on state and/or local laws
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Employee discount program
• *Benefits listed above are for regular full-time position

The base pay in Illinois for this position is $132,000-$182,000 annually, plus opportunities for bonus, benefits and commission, if applicable. The base pay range represents the low and high end of the hiring range for this job. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to relevant skills, experience, and capabilities. It is specific to Illinois and may not be applicable to other locations.

Our Mission Statement

* Take care of our customers * Take care of each other * Do what we say we are going to do * Have fun

Astound is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. Discrimination of any kind has no place here. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. We strive to create a culture that celebrates our differences and promotes fairness and inclusivity in all aspects of our business.

About Astound

Astound is a leading provider of internet, WiFi, mobile, and TV services, dedicated to connecting communities and empowering lives through innovative technology. We also keep businesses connected with dependable fiber infrastructure and internet solutions backed by award‑winning service, helping organizations thrive in an increasingly connected world. At the forefront of digital transformation, we continuously evolve our offerings to meet the dynamic needs of our customers—delivering reliable connectivity and groundbreaking digital experiences. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond infrastructure. We invest in our people through personalized training, coaching, and a supportive work environment that fosters growth and opportunity. Employees are empowered to represent a superior telecommunications company while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. We offer a robust benefits package that includes rewards, recognition programs, and employee discounts—ensuring our team members are supported in both their professional and personal journeys. At Astound, we believe in creating astounding possibilities for everyone, everywhere.