UTOPIA Fiber

PROJECT MANAGER

POSITION SUMMARY:

UTOPIA Fiber is hiring a Project Manager to support multiple teams in delivering new Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks across a growing footprint. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

ROLE OVERVIEW:
  • Lead planning and monitor execution of outside plant (OSP) FTTH projects, including a multi‑county buildout in Rural California, and local BEAD‑funded initiatives.​
  • Coordinate cross‑functional teams in Engineering, Construction, GIS, Operations, with both internal and external partners to deliver projects on time, within scope, and within budget.​
  • Preference given to candidates with telecommunications and fiber‑network experience.​
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop, maintain, and own detailed project plans for assigned OSP FTTH builds in partnership with the CPO and project teams.
  • Track milestones, critical path activities, dependencies, risks, and requirements throughout the full project lifecycle for high‑visibility programs.​
  • Manage the project RAID log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Decisions) and drive clear ownership and resolution.
  • Provide consistent follow‑up on individual action items to ensure timely completion and clear communication to stakeholders.​
MEETING AND STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
  • Lead and document daily stand‑up calls with internal teams.
  • Prepare and deliver weekly project updates with partners and leadership.
  • Schedule and facilitate additional meetings as needed to remove roadblocks and align stakeholders.​
SMARTSHEET AND REPORTING

Smartsheet will be the primary tool for project tracking; prior experience is a plus, but a strong willingness to learn is required.​

  • Use Smartsheet to track schedules, RAID items, and deliverables and to share information across teams.
  • Support OSP Engineering and Construction by maintaining the project portfolio, status logs, and documentation in Smartsheet.
  • Build and maintain dashboards and reports for the OSP team, executive management, and jurisdictional partners.
  • Assist with tracking and reporting of key project management metrics for additional internal projects as assigned.​
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5+ years of professional experience in project management or closely related roles.​
  • CAPM certification or a bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, but not required.
  • Direct experience in telecommunications, especially fiber or FTTX construction and design, strongly preferred
DESIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
  • Solid understanding of project management processes and best practices (initiation through close‑out).
  • Working knowledge of fiber‑to‑the‑premise (FTTX) design and OSP/FTTH build processes, including basic reporting fundamentals.​
  • Experience with Smartsheet or similar project/portfolio management tools.
  • Excellent customer service, documentation, and written and verbal communication skills.​
  • Strong relationship‑building and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across technical and non‑technical teams, while maintaining transparency and accountability across all.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, take initiative, and prioritize multiple deliverables to meet deadlines.​
SCREENING AND WORK CONDITIONS
  • Hiring decisions are based on meeting minimum qualifications and relevant job‑related experience, skills, and education.
  • All UTOPIA Fiber positions require a criminal background check; non‑disclosure of relevant information may result in dismissal.
  • Work is primarily performed in an office or home‑office environment, with the ability to sit, bend, and move as commonly required in an office setting.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
  • Candidates must successfully complete pre‑employment drug screening and a background investigation as a condition of employment.