Manager, Network Connectivity – Carrier Strategy
Job Description:
- Own the end-to-end site connectivity selection process for every new data center site, including assessment, requirements, carrier outreach, engineering, procurement, and turn-up
- Map regional fiber and carrier infrastructure using FiberLocator, PeeringDB, state 811/one-call records, and local knowledge
- Negotiate MSAs, NDAs, colocation agreements, dark fiber IRUs, and wavelength/transport contracts with national and regional carriers
- Lead carrier engineering sessions to develop construction budgets, build timelines, and route-diversity commitments
- Manage and grow a small team of carrier relations TPMs/reps; set priorities, coach engagements, and hold delivery to timeline
- Advise executive and network leadership on expansion locations using carrier capability, fiber availability, power/land economics, and regional demand
- Partner with Network Engineering/Architecture on connectivity design and with operations on POP turn-up and backbone integration
- Track carrier performance, delivery accuracy, responsiveness, and construction quality; drive the carrier engagement playbook
- Evaluate self-build fiber opportunities with local construction partners
- Help shape backbone expansion strategy and data center connectivity as Vultr grows globally
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 realistic construction timelines
- Demonstrated ability to piece together multi-party connectivity deals, dark fiber IRUs, wavelength leases, colocation agreements, and self-built metro fiber arrangements with national and regional carriers
- 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 IP networking technologies and best practices, including BGP, Segment Routing, MPLS, Traffic Engineering, SLOs, and SLAs
- Knowledge of 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; able to produce executive briefs and detailed engineering requirements documents
- Willing to travel to carrier meetings, site walks, and construction reviews up to 25%
- Must be located in the United States
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
- Must not require sponsorship for employment visa status
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