Brightspeed is looking for an outgoing, high-energy, self-starting professional who can convey complex business and regulatory 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 public utility commissions, broadband grant offices, and other state and local government officials, internal business teams, and local and state government customers in states within Brightspeed’s operating territory. You will be a key member of the government affairs team engaged with supporting legislative, regulatory, public policy, and compliance matters, and you will support Brightspeed public policy initiatives.As Government Affairs and Public Policy Director, 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 impact 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 vicinity of Jefferson City, MO.As Government Affairs and Public Policy Director, your duties will include:Responsible for regulatory, state legislative, and local government issues affecting Brightspeed and its customers, as well as larger telecom industry issues that impact the CompanyMeet 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 initiativesDevelopment and implementation of public policy and legislative positions and strategies, monitoring legislation, and coordinating with local lobbyists, industry players and third-party organizationsCultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key public and government officials and other industry playersResolve right-of-way, permitting, pole attachment/joint use and similar issues with states, counties, and cities and third partiesOwnership of relationships with state telecom and broadband industry associations and coalitionsProactive evaluation of proposed legislation and regulations, and working with legislative staff to draft and ultimately incorporate proposed revisions that benefit Brightspeed and the telecom industryAnalyze broadband grant requirements and execute on the company’s strategic plan of maximizing the award of broadband grants from various state and federal broadband grant programsEstablish 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 BrightspeedAct as principal contact for Brightspeed’s state Network Operations team on local government issues and resolution of constituent inquiriesCoordinate with various departments within Brightspeed, such as real estate, engineering, regulatory operations, and legal on local and state government issuesSupport and advance the goals of local go-to-market programsCoordinate with Brightspeed Corporate Communications on proactive and reactive public messaging
