What are the responsibilities and job description for the National Contract Manager position at JSI?
Department: OSP - Engineering & Design
Location: Charlotte, NC
JSI invites you to join our team as a National Contract Manager on our Fiber Network Design & Implementation team in our Charlotte, NC office, where you'll play a critical role in advancing broadband and telecommunications initiatives that expand connectivity and drive digital inclusion—while advancing your career within a mission-driven, growth-focused organization.
About the Company:
JSI is a leading full-service consulting firm specializing in broadband solutions. For over 60 years, we have provided independent communications service providers with expert financial, engineering, management, operational, regulatory, and strategic guidance. Our extensive industry knowledge and proven track record of success have empowered clients to achieve sustainable growth and profitability. With clients nationwide and a powerful presence in markets across the United States, JSI empowers rural and regional broadband providers to expand, evolve, and excel in a rapidly shifting digital world.
Position Overview:
As the National Contract Manager for JSI's Outside Plant (OSP) Fiber Network Design & Implementation organization, this role provides national-level management for a geographically distributed team of Contract Managers and Contract Administrators. The role is responsible for establishing standardized contract procedures, workflows, and governance across multiple offices for consistency, compliance, and scalability across broadband infrastructure programs, including USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funded projects. Contracts include service delivery contracts with our clients and construction contracts we manage on their behalf.
The National Contract Manager manages JSI's contract lifecycle across engineering and construction phases, partnering closely with engineering leadership, project management, finance, sales, legal, and clients. This role also leads continuous improvement initiatives, including the adoption of tools and technologies.
Available office locations for this role include Nephi, UT; Lubbock, TX; Charlotte, NC; and Wills Point, TX.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish and ensure standardized contract processes, templates, and approval workflows, for a nationally distributed team of Contract Managers and Contract Administrators supporting OSP fiber programs.
- Provide oversight of both standard and non-standard contract activity across all OSP project phases and maintain a database of contracts and their statuses.
- Oversee contractor bidding and execution, including preparing bid packages, reviewing proposals, obtaining signatures, and submitting required contracts to the proper agency for approval when necessary.
- Manage the tracking and analysis of field service progress reports against customer contract budgets, ensuring accuracy and accountability through project completion.
- Oversee contract reconciliation and close-out activities upon completion.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex client contracts, contractor disputes, change management, claims, and risk mitigation, while ensuring compliance with RUS, BEAD Eligible Entity, and state grant requirements.
- Partner with Engineering & Design, Project Management, Permitting & Environmentals, and Field Services teams to align contract execution with delivery workflows, and prepare required reports for senior management, peer groups, sales organizations, and clients.
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree a plus.
- 5 years of progressive experience in contract management within broadband, telecom, fiber, or utility infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience leading others, preference for geographically distributed teams.
- Working knowledge of RUS contract forms and processes; BEAD program awareness strongly preferred.
- Experience with standardized workflows.
- Experience with CRM and ERP systems such as NetSuite.
- Demonstrated interest and experience with AI tools and other technologies.
- Must possess a high level of interpersonal skills and be able to interact and communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization and with clients.
- This position requires U.S. citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
- Competitive salary performance-based bonuses
- Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 4019(k)).
- Generous PTO and wellness opportunities.
- Ongoing professional development and educational opportunities.