Community Affairs Manager

Company Description

At Brightspeed, we are reimagining how people live, work, play and connect by providing fast, reliable internet connections and an awesome customer experience in twenty states throughout the Midwest and South.

Backed by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, our vision is to accelerate the upgrade of copper to fiber optic technologies, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to many rural markets traditionally underserved by broadband providers, while delivering best-in-class customer experience.

Be a part of the team that will make this vision a reality….designing and building a world class fiber network and creating a customer experience second to none.

Check us out on the web!

Job Description

Brightspeed is looking for an outgoing, high-energy, self-starting professional who can convey complex business strategies, information, and ideas to a wide variety of internal and external constituencies. In this role, you will be responsible for developing, building, and maintaining business relationships with key stakeholders, including state and local government officials, broadband grant offices, and other internal business teams in states within Brightspeed’s operating territory. You will be a key member of the Government Affairs and Public Policy team engaged with supporting broadband grant advocacy and Brightspeed’s strategic fiber builds through local community engagement.

As a Community Affairs Manager, you will play an important role in advancing the interests of the company, its customers, and its stakeholders before state and local governmental officials. You will also support Brightspeed’s business strategy, goals, and objectives through effective internal and external communications (including social media) that positively impacts the company’s image and reputation. You will also assist with strategic planning and play a key role in developing the strategy, advocacy, and execution of the company’s broadband grant initiatives, including through county and state advocacy as well as providing strategic review and direction for broadband grant program requirements.

This position is posted for remote work, but the required location is within the state of Ohio. Consideration will be given statewide with a priority on central and northern Ohio.

As a Community Affairs Manager, your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Meet regularly with mayors, city council members, county commissioners, administrators, and staff of key cities and counties to articulate the Company’s vision and plans and to obtain support for Brightspeed initiatives especially broadband grants
• Maintain ongoing relationships with local government and community leaders
• Provide support to Brightspeed’s Broadband Office for community outreach associated with broadband grants
• Engage with localities regarding the Brightspeed fiber build plan in defined areas within the state or neighboring states
• Analyze broadband grant requirements and executing on the company’s strategic plan of maximizing the award of broadband grants from various state and federal broadband grant programs
• Establish and maintain relationships with local chambers of commerce, economic development councils, and local community groups to build and enhance the business and community reputation of Brightspeed
• Act as principal contact for Brightspeed’s state Network Operations team on local government issues and resolution of constituent inquiries.
• Coordinate with various departments within Brightspeed, such as Real Estate, Engineering, Regulatory Operations, and Legal on local and state government issues
• Support and advance the goals of local go-to-market programs
• Coordinate with Brightspeed Corporate Communications on proactive and reactive public messaging
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key public and government officials and other industry players
• Monitor state legislative activity especially pertaining to telecom and broadband issues 

Qualifications

WHAT IT TAKES TO CATCH OUR EYE:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or the equivalent in relevant training or experience
• 3+ years of experience in a state/local government affairs environment or experience with public sector grant advocacy
• Have worked within local community engagement and public affairs roles
• Demonstrate a high degree of personal and professional integrity due to the nature of information involved and the public visibility of this position
• Comfortable with an ever-changing technology and industry landscape
• Enjoy working independently as well as with cross functional teams, and you exhibit energy, business intelligence, and a drive for success
• Have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect and engage with diverse groups and individuals.
• Have an understanding of state and local politics
• Have strong problem-solving, partnership, and collaboration skills
• Have strong verbal and written communications skills and analytical abilities

BONUS POINTS FOR:

• Experience in the telecommunications/cable industry (e.g., wireline, wireless, broadband, cable)
• Knowledge of, and experience working on, federal, state, local, broadband, and telecommunications issues
• Have been working with broadband grant funding such as (e.g., ARPA, BEAD)
• Public policy implementation experience
• An extensive portfolio of relationships across government entities especially local government within existing Brightspeed service territory
• Time spent on local community engagement, public affairs, and grants

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Additional Information

WHY JOIN US?

We aspire to contemporary ways of working.

At Brightspeed, we have roles that are designated as remote, hybrid, office or field-based, depending on the position, business needs and individual circumstances. We have a brand new, state-of-the-art corporate HQ in Charlotte, NC and we prioritize hiring talent in the Charlotte area, whenever possible, to make it a truly vibrant destination for our hybrid workforce. We also invest in technology that enables our entire team to stay connected. Why? Because Brightspeed recognizes the value of finding the best talent for the job, wherever they may be.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Our benefits and paid time off programs reflect our underlying belief in promoting overall wellness through physical, emotional and financial health. Brightspeed offers a comprehensive benefit program, including competitive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; an employee assistance program; a 401K plan with company match and a host of voluntary benefits. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the center of our grounding belief in Being Real. 

When we bring our authentic selves to work, everyone is better as a result. A diverse team helps us be fierce advocates for more accessible, inclusive and high-quality internet, because we believe doing so promotes equity in the communities we serve.

Brightspeed is an Equal Opportunity Employer

For all applicants, please take a moment to review our Privacy Notices:

• Brightspeed’s Privacy Notice for California Residents
• Brightspeed’s Privacy Notice