Director Network Development

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview: The Director of Network Development will drive the strategic expansion of the company’s fiber network by identifying, evaluating, and executing new build opportunities in alignment with market demand and customer requirements. This role combines network planning expertise with business development acumen, ensuring that expansion projects are financially sound, market-driven, and positioned to secure long-term customer commitments. The Director will work closely with sales, engineering, and executive leadership to turn strategic vision into revenue-generating network assets.

Role and Responsibilities

Strategic Network Planning

• Identify high-value markets and routes that align with customer demand and long-term growth strategy.
• Develop detailed business cases for network expansion, including ROI analysis, competitive positioning, and risk assessment.
• Prioritize projects based on market opportunity, customer commitments, and capital availability.
• Develop cost estimates, timelines, and feasibility analyses for proposed builds.

Business Development Collaboration

• Partner with the sales team to validate market opportunities and secure anchor tenant commitments for new routes.
• Engage directly with strategic customers, including hyperscalers, carriers, and large enterprises, to shape network build plans that meet their requirements.
• Support proposal development and contract negotiations by providing route maps, cost models, and deployment timelines.
• Evaluate and select network equipment systems.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work with engineering to design efficient, scalable, and diverse network routes.
• Collaborate with finance to model project economics and evaluate investment returns.
• Partner with operations to ensure smooth transition from network planning to activation.

Market Intelligence

• Monitor industry trends, competitive developments, and emerging technologies in fiber infrastructure.
• Provide insight into market dynamics to inform corporate growth strategies.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team focused on market research, route planning, and feasibility analysis.
• Establish performance goals, track progress, and foster a results-oriented culture.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Awareness of federal and state broadband initiatives (e.g., BEAD, RDOF) preferred.
• 8+ years in telecom, fiber network planning, or business development with a focus on infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of fiber optic network architecture, route diversity, and market drivers.
• Proven ability to evaluate opportunities based on both technical and commercial criteria.
• Experience engaging with executive-level customer stakeholders to align infrastructure plans with business needs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite products including Visio, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Google Maps.