Vice President of Government Programs

Company Overview

We are a Hudson Oaks, Texas-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) delivering High Speed Internet and Voice Services throughout multiple states to residential, business, K-12 Education and government customers. We believe there is much more to an internet company than just delivering cost-effective internet solutions; we believe in delivering an overall customer experience that our competitors simply cannot match.

The Vice President, Government Programs is responsible for leading applications, execution, and compliance across Nextlink’s government-funded broadband portfolio, including BEAD, RDOF, and state programs. This role oversees the process from funding application through network construction, reimbursement, and ongoing program compliance. The VP leads the grants and compliance team and coordinates work across Finance, Deployment, Engineering, Procurement, and compliance, establishing deadlines and driving accountability across senior teams

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions.

- Lead and develop the grants team, setting priorities and owning results across all government-funded programs.
- Lead new funding applications and rebid rounds, including opportunity assessment, location and cost modeling, and submissions designed to be buildable and compliant from the outset.
- Own the integrated execution plan for active government programs, including milestones, dependencies, and blockers across approximately 50 concurrent workstreams.
- Drive NEPA, permitting, Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance, and construction milestones to on-time completion.
- Translate grant agreements, program rules, and federal requirements into clear operating requirements for internal teams.
- Partner with Finance to capture, reconcile, and document eligible costs for reimbursement, matching requirements, and audits.
- Ensure all milestone, quarterly, and closeout reports are delivered accurately and on time.
- Own ongoing program compliance, including RDOF buildout milestones, performance testing, and Broadband Data Collection filings.
- Manage post-construction BEAD obligations, including service, reporting, and record-retention requirements.
- Build audit-ready processes with timely documentation of program activity and respond quickly to agency and grantor requests.
- Represent Nextlink with state broadband offices, federal program staff, local grantors, and contractors regarding execution and compliance status.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills:

- Strong leadership, team development, project management, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage complex, multi-site programs and coordinate multiple concurrent workstreams.
- Ability to interpret grant agreements, program rules, and proposed project designs and translate them into actionable plans.
- Strong understanding of grant finance, cost allocation, matching requirements, and reimbursement documentation, including familiarity with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E.
- Ability to drive results and accountability across senior peers and cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
- Clear, direct communication skills when working with executives, operational teams, government stakeholders, and contractors.
- Ability to establish priorities, manage deadlines, resolve blockers, and maintain accurate program documentation.
- Must pass applicable background screening requirements.

Education and Experience:

- 7+ years of experience in telecommunications, broadband, or infrastructure, including 3+ years leading complex, multi-site programs.
- Hands-on experience executing federal or state broadband programs such as BEAD, RDOF, ReConnect, CPF, or similar programs, from application through ongoing compliance.
- Experience leading a team and coordinating cross-functional program delivery.
- Preferred: BEAD compliance experience, including NEPA and BABA requirements.
- Preferred: Fixed wireless and fiber deployment experience.
- Preferred: Experience with NetSuite, Sitetracker, and monday.com.
- Preferred: Working knowledge of AI agents, MCPs, and APIs.
- Preferred: PMP or similar project management certification.

Job Classification:

- Executive Leadership
- Exempt

Work Environment/Hazards:

- On-site work at Nextlink’s Hudson Oaks, Texas headquarters.
- Frequent collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders, including government agencies, grantors, and contractors.
- Office-based work with regular use of computers, virtual meeting tools, and business systems.
- Travel as needed.

Physical Demands:

This position primarily involves office-based and computer work, meetings, and coordination across teams. The employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, use a computer and telephone, and travel as needed. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Hours/Days:

- Full-time position.
- Hours as needed to meet program deadlines and business requirements.

Travel Requirements

- Travel as needed

Affirmative Action (AAP/EEO Statement):

Nextlink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Drug Free Workplace:

Nextlink intends to provide a safe work environment that will help protect the safety, health and well-being of all employees. Therefore, we are committed to an alcohol and drug-free workplace.