Carrier & Vendor Relations Manager

Job Description

The Manager, Carrier & Vendor Relations is responsible for leading the sourcing, procurement, contracting, and ongoing management of telecommunications carriers and connectivity vendors supporting large-scale data center and mission-critical infrastructure environments. This role oversees the full lifecycle of connectivity services, including fiber, internet, wireless, satellite, and related network services, while ensuring commercial, operational, and service-level objectives are achieved.

As a player-coach leader, this individual manages a small team responsible for carrier procurement, backup connectivity solutions, and contract administration. The role drives vendor negotiations, carrier performance, service delivery readiness, contract governance, and cross-functional coordination with engineering, operations, legal, finance, and project delivery teams to support multiple concurrent campus developments and operational initiatives.

Skills and Requirements

-10+ years of experience in telecom procurement, carrier/vendor management, network connectivity sourcing, or telecommunications service delivery. -3+ years of experience leading and developing teams while managing vendors and cross-functional stakeholder relationships. -Experience sourcing and procuring telecommunications services, including fiber, Ethernet, internet connectivity, wireless services, dark fiber, wavelengths, or related network solutions. -Strong knowledge of telecom contracts, including MSAs, SOWs, SLAs, pricing structures, renewals, and vendor negotiations. -Experience managing carrier and vendor performance through defined SLAs, KPIs, escalations, and service reviews. -Understanding of connectivity commercial models and trade-offs, such as leased services, dark fiber, and long-term network agreements. -Strong project coordination, communication, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence internal and external partners. -Proficiency with business and project tracking tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Smartsheet, or similar platforms. -Experience supporting data centers, hyperscale environments, mission-critical facilities, or large-scale infrastructure projects. -Familiarity with dark fiber markets, route diversity planning, carrier hotels, meet-me rooms, and interconnection strategies. -Experience with satellite connectivity, wireless backup solutions, or private wireless spectrum programs. -Knowledge of telecom expense management (TEM) platforms and contract or inventory management systems. -Experience establishing vendor governance frameworks, sourcing standards, scorecards, and SLA management programs. -Familiarity with outside plant (OSP), inside plant (ISP), optical transport, or network infrastructure concepts. -Procurement, supply chain, or project management certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, CPM, or PMP. -Experience supporting fast-growing organizations managing multiple concurrent sites or campus developments.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].