Vice President of Government Programs

Essential Functions

• Lead and develop the grants team, setting priorities and owning results across all government-funded programs.
• Lead new funding applications and rebid rounds, including opportunity assessment, location and cost modeling, and submissions designed to be buildable and compliant from the outset.
• Own the integrated execution plan for active government programs, including milestones, dependencies, and blockers across approximately 50 concurrent workstreams.
• Drive NEPA, permitting, Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance, and construction milestones to on-time completion.
• Translate grant agreements, program rules, and federal requirements into clear operating requirements for internal teams.
• Partner with Finance to capture, reconcile, and document eligible costs for reimbursement, matching requirements, and audits.
• Ensure all milestone, quarterly, and closeout reports are delivered accurately and on time.
• Own ongoing program compliance, including RDOF buildout milestones, performance testing, and Broadband Data Collection filings.
• Manage post-construction BEAD obligations, including service, reporting, and record-retention requirements.
• Build audit-ready processes with timely documentation of program activity and respond quickly to agency and grantor requests.
• Represent Nextlink with state broadband offices, federal program staff, local grantors, and contractors regarding execution and compliance status.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Strong leadership, team development, project management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-site programs and coordinate multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Ability to interpret grant agreements, program rules, and proposed project designs and translate them into actionable plans.
• Strong understanding of grant finance, cost allocation, matching requirements, and reimbursement documentation, including familiarity with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E.
• Ability to drive results and accountability across senior peers and cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
• Clear, direct communication skills when working with executives, operational teams, government stakeholders, and contractors.
• Ability to establish priorities, manage deadlines, resolve blockers, and maintain accurate program documentation.
• Must pass applicable background screening requirements.

Education and Experience

• 7+ years of experience in telecommunications, broadband, or infrastructure, including 3+ years leading complex, multi-site programs.
• Hands-on experience executing federal or state broadband programs such as BEAD, RDOF, ReConnect, CPF, or similar programs, from application through ongoing compliance.
• Experience leading a team and coordinating cross-functional program delivery.
• Preferred: BEAD compliance experience, including NEPA and BABA requirements.
• Preferred: Fixed wireless and fiber deployment experience.
• Preferred: Experience with NetSuite, Sitetracker, and monday.com.
• Preferred: Working knowledge of AI agents, MCPs, and APIs.
• Preferred: PMP or similar project management certification.

Job Classification

• Executive Leadership
• Exempt

Work Environment/Hazards

• On-site work at Nextlink's Hudson Oaks, Texas headquarters.
• Frequent collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders, including government agencies, grantors, and contractors.
• Office-based work with regular use of computers, virtual meeting tools, and business systems.
• Travel as needed.

Physical Demands

Hours/Days

• Full-time position.
• Hours as needed to meet program deadlines and business requirements.

Travel Requirements

• Travel as needed