Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager

At Brightspeed, we are reimagining how people live, work, play and connect by providing fast, reliable internet connections and an awesome customer experience in twenty states throughout the Midwest and South.

Backed by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, our vision is to accelerate the upgrade of copper to fiber optic technologies, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to many rural markets traditionally underserved by broadband providers, while delivering best-in-class customer experience.

Be a part of the team that will make this vision a reality….designing and building a world class fiber network and creating a customer experience second to none.

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We are looking for a Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager to join our growing team! In this role, you will play a critical role in advancing Brightspeed’s broadband deployment and business objectives through strategic engagement with state and local government officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders. You will support fiber expansion initiatives by facilitating permitting, resolving government-related issues, and strengthening Brightspeed’s presence and reputation within the communities it serves. You will also contribute to advocacy efforts, community outreach, and cross-functional coordination to enable successful execution of the company’s broadband strategy. You will need to be based in the Columbus, OH area to be considered for this position.

As Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager, your duties and responsibilities will include:

BONUS POINTS FOR

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strategic relationships with state and local government officials, broadband offices, community leaders, and industry stakeholders to support Brightspeed’s broadband deployment and operational priorities; Engage local governments and municipalities to facilitate fiber network expansion, including navigating permitting processes, addressing regulatory requirements, and resolving deployment-related issues; Serve as a primary liaison between government entities and internal teams, including Network Operations, Engineering, Regulatory, Legal, Real Estate, and Corporate Communications, to resolve issues and support business initiatives; Support broadband grant initiatives by coordinating community outreach, strengthening relationships with broadband offices, and assisting in advocacy efforts aligned with funding opportunities; Partner with sales and go-to-market teams, including SLED and Door-to-Door channels, to support market entry, community engagement, and business growth objectives; Develop and maintain relationships with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and community groups to enhance Brightspeed’s reputation and community presence; Support construction and operational teams by helping resolve permitting, right-of-way, and buried service wire issues impacting broadband deployment timelines; Monitor state and local legislative and regulatory developments related to telecommunications and broadband and assess potential business impact; Support public messaging and communications efforts by coordinating with Corporate Communications to ensure alignment with Brightspeed’s brand and strategic priorities; Contribute to government affairs strategy, planning, and execution to advance Brightspeed’s policy, regulatory, and operational objectives

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Government Affairs, Political Science, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience; 3+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, community relations, public affairs, or a related field; Based in the Columbus, OH area; Experience working with state or local government agencies, elected officials, or public sector stakeholders; Strong knowledge of state and local government processes, permitting, and regulatory environments; Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse audiences; Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex business and technical information clearly; Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.; Strong problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills; High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion; Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business communication tools; Travel is required, primarily by car, within Brightspeed’s local service footprint to visit the markets the company serves

Nice to have

Experience in the telecommunications, broadband, cable, or related infrastructure industry; Knowledge of broadband deployment, permitting, regulatory frameworks, and public funding programs; Experience supporting broadband grants, public funding initiatives, or infrastructure deployment projects; Established relationships with state or local government officials within Brightspeed’s service footprint; Experience in public policy implementation, community engagement, or public affairs strategy