Operations Manager
The Operations Manager supports UTOPIA’s Chief Operating Officer in standing up and scaling operational partnerships outside of Utah. This role owns day-to-day operational coordination across partner networks (including Idaho Falls Fiber, Yellowstone Fiber, and Golden State Connect Authority), ensures UTOPIA’s operational standards are implemented consistently, and drives execution across reporting, vendor management, field operations readiness, and partner-facing service delivery. The Operations Manager is expected to lead cross-functional workstreams, manage stakeholders, and translate strategy into repeatable operating cadence.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Partner operations leadershServe as the primary operations lead for assigned out-of-state network partnerships, acting as the day-to-day point of coordination between UTOPIA and partner leadership teams.Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner organizations, ISPs, contractors, and internal UTOPIA teams to ensure aligned priorities and timely execution.Establish and run an operating cadence for each partnership (weekly check-ins, scorecards, issue logs, action tracking, executive readouts) Translate partnership agreements and operational expectations into clear workflows, roles/responsibilities, and performance measureOperational execution and service readinessLead operational readiness planning for new network areas and phases, including processes for activation, installs, trouble response, customer-impacting incidents, and escalation paths.Ensure network operations, field service, and support functions are aligned to meet partner SLAs and service quality expectations Own or coordinate incident management for partner networks, including post-incident reviews, root cause follow-up, and corrective action trac</ul>kinReporting, analytics, and performance managementOwn partner-facing operational reporting and performance management, ensuring partners receive accurate, decision-ready insights.Partner with the Operations Analyst to define reporting requirements, validate data quality, and continuously improve dashboards, templates, and KPIs Consolidate trends across partnerships and provide recommendations to the COO on risks, opportunities, and operational improve</ul>mentVendor, contractor, and RFP supportSupport procurement and vendor management efforts tied to partner networks, including contractor onboarding, performance tracking, and issue resolution.Assist with development, release support, scoring support, and operational onboarding for RFPs related to locating, drops, installation, maintenance, and other field services Coordinate with supply chain, inventory, and field leadership to ensure materials, equipment standards, and readiness plans are in</ul> placProcess improvement and standardizationDrive consistent application of UTOPIA operational standards across partner networks, adapting where needed to local requirements while preserving core performance and control.Identify gaps in process, systems, and handoffs, then lead cross-functional efforts to implement improvements Evaluate tools and systems that improve operational visibility and execution (ticketing, GIS workflows, reporting automation, inventory tracking, contrac</ul>tor QAExecutive communicationPrepare concise partner updates for executive leadership, including performance summaries, risks, decisions needed, and next steps.Represent operations in partner meetings and present operational plans, performance updates, and improvement proposals as neededSKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong operator mindset: able to take ambiguous problems and turn them into an executable plan with owners, deadlines, and measurable outcomes.Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to executives and partner leadership Strong analytical ability and working fluency with operational reporting and KPI design (Excel required; Tableau or similar BI tools preferred. Ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously with high attention to detail and follow-throuh. Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence without direct authorty. Comfort working across technical and non-technical teams (network operations, field services, finance, procurement, customer support, ISPs, contractrs). Willingness to travel periodically to partner network locat</ul>ions as reqEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Operations Management, Computer Science, or a related field. MBA preferred but not required.5+ years of experience in operations, program management, network operations, telecom, utilities, or a similarly execution-heavy environment Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional initiatives and external stakeholders (partners, vendors, or contractors. Experience supporting distributed or multi-region operations preferr