Manager, Strategy & Transformation (Telecommunications)

Highspring; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 109,062 - 188,411; Full time

Job summary

Highspring in McLean, VA is seeking a senior strategist to drive transformative programs for telecom clients. You will lead cross-functional initiatives, shape program objectives, and ensure governance and value delivery across vendors and stakeholders.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in telecom transformation, strong vendor management, and proven ability to present executive updates. This onsite role offers exposure to large-scale modernization and impact across client organizations.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Business, Telecommunications, Information Systems, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience for Manager level; 8+ years for Senior Manager level.
• Telecommunications industry experience is required.
• Experience managing complex programs, product initiatives, or operational transformation efforts within the telecom industry.
• Strong vendor management experience, including performance management, service delivery oversight, contract governance, and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to telecommunications industry clients, leading strategic initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, vendor performance, service delivery, and financial outcomes.
• Partner closely with client stakeholders to define program objectives, business requirements, and operational priorities.
• Lead and manage complex cross-functional programs from planning through execution, ensuring alignment with business goals and timelines.
• Serve as the primary liaison between client leadership, vendors, and project teams to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Establish and maintain program governance, reporting, risk management, and stakeholder communications.
• Monitor program performance through KPIs, metrics, and dashboards, providing actionable recommendations to stakeholders.

Skills

Vendor management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

BA/BS degree

MBA preferred

Tools

Power BI

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Transform Your Career
We deliver unparalleled opportunities for growth and career advancement in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. Join a team that partners with leading organizations to solve complex business challenges, modernize operations, and deliver measurable results. Work alongside industry leaders, drive meaningful transformation, and help clients optimize the programs, technologies, and vendor ecosystems that power their businesses.

The Team – Strategy, Transformation & Operations
Join a team of experienced professionals who combine operational, technology, and transformation expertise to help clients improve performance, control costs, and enhance service delivery. Our teams work at the intersection of strategy, operations, technology, and program execution—helping clients modernize processes, optimize vendor relationships, improve governance, and deliver large-scale business initiatives.

Your Impact
You will

• Serve as a trusted advisor to telecommunications industry clients, leading strategic initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, vendor performance, service delivery, and financial outcomes.
• Partner closely with client stakeholders to define program objectives, business requirements, and operational priorities.
• Lead and manage complex cross-functional programs from planning through execution, ensuring alignment with business goals and timelines.
• Serve as the primary liaison between client leadership, vendors, and project teams to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Establish and maintain program governance, reporting, risk management, and stakeholder communications.
• Manage relationships with third-party telecom vendors, including performance monitoring, issue escalation, contract compliance,vendor onboarding and service delivery oversight.
• Perform cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial tracking to identify savings opportunities and improve financial transparency.
• Develop business cases, operational analyses, and executive-level presentations to support strategic decision-making.
• Analyze existing business processes and operating models to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for optimization and automation.
• Lead process improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Facilitate workshops, working sessions, and executive discussions to define future-state operating models and implementation roadmaps.
• Translate business requirements into actionable workstreams, prioritization frameworks, and implementation plans.
• Monitor program performance through KPIs, metrics, and dashboards, providing actionable recommendations to stakeholders.
• Drive issue resolution and decision-making across multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Partner with technical, operational, financial, and vendor teams to ensure alignment between business objectives and execution activities.
• Assist with content creation for and attend industry working groups to drive collaboration, idea sharing and lessons learned
• Provide recommendations on help desk and support process improvements, including sourcing strategies, automation and platform tool evaluations
• Manage, coach, and mentor consultants and junior team members while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with client executives and key stakeholders.

Your Experience
Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Business, Telecommunications, Information Systems, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience for Manager level; 8+ years of relevant experience for Senior Manager level.
• Telecommunications industry experience is required.
• Experience managing complex programs, product initiatives, or operational transformation efforts within the telecom industry.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with telecom service providers, technology vendors, or managed service partners.
• Strong vendor management experience, including performance management, service delivery oversight, contract governance, and stakeholder management.
• Experience conducting financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cost optimization, and business case development.
• Proven ability to lead process improvement and operational optimization initiatives.
• Experience developing executive presentations, status reporting, and governance materials for senior leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven recommendations.
• Experience facilitating workshops, requirements gathering sessions, and cross-functional stakeholder discussions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate complex organizational environments.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Experience leading and mentoring project teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work onsite at the client location in Washington, DC on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• PMP, PgMP, Agile, Scrum, Lean, or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience managing telecom network, infrastructure, operations, or technology transformation programs.
• Experience with telecom cost management, expense optimization, and vendor sourcing initiatives.
• Knowledge of telecom operating environments, service delivery models, and regulatory considerations.
• Experience developing dashboards and reporting solutions using Power BI or similar analytics tools.
• Prior consulting or professional services experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation initiatives with executive-level stakeholder engagement.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Highspring believes that the following salary range reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure to be between the range below. The individual may also be eligible for a variety of bonus and financial incentives based on individual and company performance.
Base Compensation Range: $109,062 USD - $188,411 USD