Director, Local Government Relations

Position Title: Director, Local Government Relations

Base Salary: $139,400 to $197,700 annually DOE

Bonus: Target annual bonus

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, flexible spending account, paid sick leave and paid time off, parental leave, quarterly performance bonus, training, career growth and education reimbursement programs.

Ziply Fiber is a local internet service provider dedicated to elevating the connected lives of the communities we serve. We offer the fastest home internet in the nation, a refreshingly great customer experience, and affordable plans that put customers in charge. 

As our state-of-the-art fiber network expands, so does our need for team members who can help us grow and realize our goals.  

Our Company Values: 

• Genuinely Caring: We treat customers and colleagues like neighbors, with empathy and full attention. 
  

• Empowering You: We help customers choose what is best for them, and we support employees in implementing new ideas and solutions. 
  

• Innovation and Improvement: We constantly seek ways to improve how we serve customers and each other.  
  

• Earning Your Trust: We build trust through clear, honest, human communication. 
  

Job Summary

Ziply Fiber is seeking an experienced, strategic leader who will lead a capable team of Local Government Relations Managers who are experts at conveying complex information and ideas across multiple jurisdictions with a wide variety of opportunities to find success. Our Director, Local Government Relations will support multiple states in a collaborative team environment under the supervision of the Vice President – Regulatory and External Affairs.

Your team is an integral part of Ziply Fiber’s success in fiber market expansion through building and maintaining strong relationships with municipal public works departments, municipal government leadership and other community leaders, residents, businesses, and internal departments to ensure the organization's interests are represented.

Internally, this Director will provide local intelligence of various municipal expectations, regulations, specifications and laws to inform fiber market expansion success. The Director of Local Government Relations works extensively across many of Ziply Fiber’s departments focused on municipal government and resident/business to positively impact the company’s image and reputation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed below are a range of duties performed by the employee and not intended to reflect all duties performed.

Strategy and Policy Advocacy

•           Define and lead the multi‑year local government relations strategy aligned to fiber market expansion and operational goals across multiple states; translate strategy into annual plans, budgets, and measurable objectives.

•           Monitor, analyze, and respond to proposed local ordinances, fees, and regulations that affect fiber deployment; prepare public comments and briefing materials.

Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Partnership

·        Direct, develop, and scale a multi-state team of Local Government Relations Managers and specialists; set goals and KPIs, coach for performance, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

·        Partner closely with Network/Outside Plant, Construction, Field Operations, Marketing, Legal/Regulatory, and Brand/Communications to ensure build readiness, timely issue resolution, consistent messaging, and positive community outcomes.

Franchise Agreements and Issues Management

·        Oversee negotiation, renewal, and compliance tracking for franchise, right-of-way, and permitting agreements with municipalities; maintain a central record of jurisdictional requirements, terms, and key dates.

·        Serve as an escalation point for high-profile community or government issues, coordinating the multi-disciplinary response and elevating major matters to senior leadership for decision; partner with Communications on media strategy and with Legal/Regulatory on sensitive matters.

Other Duties

·        Performs other duties as required to support the business and evolving organization.

Required Position Competencies:

• Strategic leadership - Demonstrated ability to set vision, establish multi‑year plans, and convert strategy into executable roadmaps with clear KPIs and outcomes.
  
• Executive communication and influence - Polished, persuasive communicator with experience briefing C‑suite and public officials; adept at simplifying complexity, negotiating alignment, and managing high‑stakes conversations.
  
• Government affairs expertise - Deep knowledge of local government processes related to permitting, right‑of‑way, inspections, and pole attachment/joint‑use; proven success improving timelines and standardizing practices across jurisdictions.
  

• People leadership - Track record building and leading multi‑state teams; coaching, performance management, and talent development with an emphasis on accountability and engagement.
  
• Stakeholder and relationship management: Proven ability to build durable, trust-based relationships with community, public, and government leaders and staff.
  
• Negotiation and conflict resolution - Skilled in negotiating agreements and resolving escalations with municipalities, utilities, and third parties under time and reputational pressure.
  
• Risk and crisis management - Ability to anticipate risks, develop mitigation plans, and lead coordinated responses to protect operations and brand.
  
• Program and project leadership-Ability to orchestrate complex, cross-functional initiatives with clear milestones and accountability.
  
• Analytical and policy skills - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret ordinances, franchise agreements, regulations, and contracts, and to translate them into clear guidance for internal teams.
  

Required Qualifications:

·        High school diploma or GED.

·        Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, business, communications, law, or a related field required, or equivalent experience in local government relations, government affairs, or telecommunications.

·        Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in local government relations, including permitting, right-of-way, and franchise matters.

·        Minimum of five (5) years of people leadership experience directing, coaching, and developing a team, including experience leading managers and multi-state or multi-jurisdiction teams.

·        Demonstrated knowledge of, and hands-on experience with, state and local broadband and telecommunications policy and regulatory issues.

·        Demonstrated experience implementing public policy and compliance programs.

·        Must have experience in the telecommunications industry or public utilities.

·        Ability to lead and manage projects and tasks while effectively representing Ziply Fiber is essential.

·        Willingness to travel regularly across the multi-state service territory and to attend evening or weekend council, commission, and community meetings as needed. 

·        Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and satisfactory driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·        Ability to work independently and use sound judgment on jurisdictional, regulatory, and franchise matters.

·        Ability to manage multiple jurisdictions at once and meet critical deadlines as priorities and schedules change.

·        Strong verbal and written communication and attention to detail.

·        Ability to provide excellent service to municipal officials, community leaders, and internal partners.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US for any employer. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi-line telephone system. The work is primarily a modern office setting.

This position requires regular travel across the multi-state service territory to meet with government officials, attend council, commission, and community meetings, including evening or weekend meetings as needed, and support field operations.

At all times, Ziply Fiber must be your primary employer. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, employees may not hold outside employment nor be self-employed without obtaining approval in writing from Ziply Fiber. In holding outside employment or self-employment, employees should ensure that participation does not conflict with responsibilities to Ziply Fiber or its business interests.

Diverse Workforce / EEO:

Ziply Fiber is an equal opportunity employer. Ziply Fiber will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, and the presence of a non-job-related handicap or disability or any other legally protected status.

Ziply Fiber requires a pre-employment background check as conditions of employment. Ziply Fiber may require a pre-employment drug screening.

Ziply Fiber is a drug free workplace.