BEAD Program Manager

This job was posted by https://www.vermontjoblink.com : For more information, please see: https://www.vermontjoblink.com/jobs/1427066 BEAD Program Manager About NEKCV is a community-driven organization whose mission is to ensure high-speed broadband internet service is available to the most rural and underserved communities in the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont. Founded in 2020 as a Communications Union District, we began network construction in 2021. Were a growing company of 30 employees, which means theres lots of room for growth and learning. At NEKCV, were committed to creating an inclusive culture where all employees feel welcomed and valued. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Manager. Position Summary The BEAD project is a $106 million federal grant project awarded to NEKCV to bring fiber-optic broadband internet service to the remaining unserved addresses in our 72 town district. The Program Manager will lead NEKCVs Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD Program) initiatives, overseeing planning, execution, compliance, and reporting for federally funded broadband expansion across the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont. This role should serve as the Executive Directors strategic partnerproviding operational leadership, supervising program staff, coordinating contractors, and ensuring NEKCV meets all NTIA, federal, state, and local requirements. The Program Manager will manage complex infrastructure projects, maintain rigorous grant compliance, and represent NEKCV with municipalities, state agencies, vendors, and community partners. The ideal candidate for this BEAD Program Manager position will be a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual, possessing a comprehensive understanding of project management best practices preferably with either a background in managing federally funded programs or infrastructure grants and telecommunications infrastructure and/or construction. This position is ideal for a project management professional with telecommunications or infrastructure experience who can balance technical project execution, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, staff supervision, and stakeholder engagement to successfully deliver our BEAD-funded broadband project. This position ensures projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Program Manager serves as the primary liaison between internal teams, contractors, government agencies, utility partners, and community stakeholders to ensure all deliverables are on time and within the allocated scope and budget. The selected candidate will have a proven track record and extensive knowledge of best practices in project tracking and management. Key Responsibilities ? Program Leadership Serve as second in command; act as organizational lead when the Executive Director is unavailable. ? BEAD Program Execution Oversee all BEAD-funded activities including planning, procurement, construction coordination, and reporting. ? Grant Compliance & Reporting Ensure adherence to NTIA BEAD rules, federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and Vermont PSD requirements. ? Budget & Financial Oversight Manage multi-million-dollar program budgets; track expenditures; coordinate with finance staff on reimbursement and audit readiness. ? Vendor & Contractor Management Oversee engineering firms, construction contractors, ISPs, and technical consultants. ? Stakeholder Engagement Coordinate with towns, regional planning commissions, utilities, and community partners. ? Data & Performance Management Maintain dashboards, milestones, KPIs, GIS data, and progress reports. ? Risk Management Identify program risks; develop mitigation stra tegies; ensure continuity of operations. ? Policy & Compliance Monitoring Track federal/state regulatory changes affecting BEAD-funded broadband deployment. ? Team Leadership Supervise program staff; support hiring, onboarding, and performance management. ? Public Communication Prepare presentations, updates, and public-facing materials for NEKCV board, towns, and residents. ? Develop comprehensive project plans and schedules that are aligned with project objectives and grant requirements. ? Manage project progress, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain project timelines. ? Coordinate and lead cross-functional teams, including engineers, contractors, and third-party vendors, to ensure smooth project execution. ? Monitor construction and grant budgets. ? Work with the Construction Manager to ensure compliance with industry standards, local