Manager, Network Connectivity & Carrier Strategy

Vultr is seeking a Manager, Network Connectivity & Carrier Strategy to own how our new data center sites connect to the world. You will run the site connectivity selection process end to end. Assessing fiber and carrier infrastructure in each market, negotiating with national and regional carriers, deciding where we place network pops, and shaping backbone expansion strategy as we grow across the world. You will manage a small team of carrier relations professionals and partner daily with Network Architecture & Engineering and Network Operations to turn greenfield sites into on-net, production-ready facilities.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end site connectivity selection process: assessment, requirements, carrier outreach, engineering, procurement, and turn-up for every new data center site; Map regional fiber and carrier infrastructure using tools like FiberLocator, PeeringDB, state 811/one-call records, and local knowledge to assess what is buildable, by whom, and on what timeline; Negotiate MSAs, NDAs, colocation agreements, dark fiber IRUs, and wavelength/transport contracts with national and regional carriers; Lead engineering sessions with carriers to turn concepts into construction budgets, build timelines, and route-diversity commitments; Manage and grow a small team of carrier relations TPMs/reps; set their priorities, coach their carrier engagements, and hold delivery to timeline; Advise executive and network leadership on where to build next: synthesize carrier capability, fiber availability, power/land economics, and regional demand into expansion recommendations; Partner with Network Engineering/Architecture on connectivity design and with operations on POP turn-up and backbone integration; Track carrier performance, delivery accuracy, responsiveness, construction quality then drive the carrier engagement playbook; Evaluate self-build fiber opportunities with local construction partners where regulatory and economics favor partnership over turnkey carrier builds

Requirements

10+ years in network infrastructure, telecommunications, or data center connectivity, including 5+ years negotiating fiber, transport, peering, transit, and colocation deals; Deep knowledge of fiber construction economics and logistics: route surveys, make-ready, right-of-way, permits, ILA/hut placement, splice and amp engineering, and what a construction timeline realistically looks like; Demonstrated ability to piece together multi-party connectivity deals, dark fiber IRUs, wavelength leases, colo agreements, with national and regional carriers, including self-built metro fiber arrangements; Track record of building carrier relationships at the engineering and executive level; Strong grasp of long-haul and metro transport technology: 800/400G-ZR/ZR+, DWDM, amplification, distance limits, and route diversity design; Experience advising on network POP/site placement strategy (carrier hotels, IX presence, PeeringDB literacy) and rural/metro build trade-offs; Knowledge of relevant IP networking technologies and best practices, including BGP, Segment Routing, MPLS, and Traffic Engineering; SLOs and SLAs; Knowledge of relevant software development and tooling, including GIS, scripting, agentic coding, network traffic analysis, network simulation, and synthetic monitoring; 3+ years of people management, or clear readiness to manage; Excellent written and verbal communication; Willing to travel to carrier meetings, site walks, and construction reviews (up to 25%)

Benefits

100% company-paid insurance premiums for employee medical, dental and vision plans; 401(k) plan that matches 100% up to 4%, with immediate vesting; Professional Development Reimbursement of $2,500 each year; 11 Holidays + Paid Time Off Accrual + Rollover Plan; Increased PTO at 3 year and 10 year anniversary + 1 month paid sabbatical every 5 years + Anniversary Bonus each year; $500 stipend for remote office setup in first year + $400 each following year; Internet reimbursement up to $75 per month; Gym membership reimbursement up to $50 per month; Company paid Wellable subscription