Project Manager III

Surf Internet; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Surf Internet is seeking a Project Manager to oversee Fiber to the Home projects from planning through closure. You will monitor budgets, timelines and vendor coordination in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, ensuring on-time delivery and adherence to specifications.

The role requires leading cross-functional teams, managing risks, and reporting to leadership. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential to align internal resources and external contractors with project goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 5+ years’ experience in telecommunications/fiber optic industry preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in related fields such as Computer Science, Business, or Engineering required.
• PMP, PgMP, CAPM, and/or comparable project management certifications highly desirable.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office software and general project management and ERP applications.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage all project-level activity to meet deadlines on time and within budget.
• Ensure accurate reporting and forecasting of timelines, resources and capital expenditures.
• Foresee risks and propose mitigation solutions to keep projects on track.
• Be accountable for deployment activities including fiber network design, zoning, permitting, and construction management.
• Serve as the single point of contact for meetings and status updates.
• Provide oversight for team members and subcontractors across design and construction.
• Collaborate with Sales/Marketing on communications and market readiness.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and best practices.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Time management

ERP applications

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or Engineering

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Project Manager

The Project Manager will oversee the planning, design, construction, tracking and closure of Fiber to the Home projects. The position requires the ability to monitor, maintain and report the budgeted cost performance and project status with a strong emphasis on-time delivery. It is imperative the Project Manager feels comfortable working in a fast-paced, high growth organization and possess excellent organization and communication skills.

Reports To: Project Director

Department: OSP Construction

Job Status: Exempt

Responsibilities

• Actively manage all project-level activity with internal and external resources to meet aggressive deadlines on time and within budget and specifications of the project.
• Ensure accurate reporting and forecasting of project timelines, resources and capital expenditures by partner and communicating with internal cross-functional teams and external vendors.
• Foresee potential risks and propose mitigation solutions that will allow the project to stay on track and on budget. Report identified risks to management; provide recommendations for mitigation of risk.
• Be accountable for all deployment activities including but not limited to fiber network design, zoning, permitting, construction management, system acceptance, NOC integration and close out packages.
• Serve as the single point of contract at the project level for all meetings and calls, providing-up-to-date and accurate information on project status, forecasts, and issue resolutions.
• Provide oversight for work and assignments of team members from internal infrastructure implementation functions, and other resources, including design and construction sub-contractors.
• Work with the Business Development team on initial communication with the town/market on collaborate on communication with market throughout the project.
• Collaborate with OSP infrastructure teams on implementation on sub-contractor project scope, economics, construction operations and oversight and payment processes to be included in the Purchase Order (PO).
• Report weekly to the Executive Leadership Team on project status, timelines, economic outcomes, monthly and quarterly forecast of progress, and any exceptional events which may trigger reassessment, incremental capital or resource to plan, or adapted customer expectations on timing, service availability or other matters.
• Identify and report identified risks to management; provide recommendations for mitigation of risk.
• Acts as company focal point for their project(s) with any external constituency and as a single point of knowledge on the project. Should there be any external information published, this position will have oversight and approval of key messages.
• Collaborate with sales & marketing teams to provide time frames for sales & marketing preparedness required to promote and sell new services.
• Collaborate with the Accounting team to approve progress payments on Purchase Orders per agreed upon / contract payment terms.
• Ensure Surf Broadband and subcontractor compliance with federal, state, local and industry regulations, standards, specifications, and best practices.
• Evaluate and recommend process improvements to enable better project performance, shortened time to resolution and completion, improve resource efficiency and better cost management resulting in decreased unit costs per unit of new network infrastructure.
• Provide mentorship to other Project Manager employees with lesser experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Previous Project Management experience with 5+ years’ experience in telecommunications/fiber optic industry preferred.
• Bachelors’ degree in related fields, which may include Computer Science, Business, or Engineering, required.
• PMP, PgMP, CAPM, and/or comparable project management certifications highly desirable
• Ability to manage big picture concerns and details as needed, prioritizing tasks and delegating effectively.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present ideas and suggestions clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work with different functional groups and levels of employees to achieve results effectively and professionally.
• Knowledge and understanding of inside/outside plant fiber optic network infrastructures.
• Knowledge of constructability practices and principles
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Effective time management with the ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficient in MS Office software and general project management and ERP applications