Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager

Company DescriptionAt Brightspeed, we are reimagining how people live, work, play and connect by providing fast, reliable internet connections and an awesome customer experience in twenty states throughout the Midwest and South.Backed by funds managed byApollo Global Management,our vision is to accelerate the upgrade of copper to fiber optic technologies, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to many rural markets traditionally underserved by broadband providers, while delivering best-in-class customer experience.Be a part of the team that will make this vision a reality....designing and building a world class fiber network and creating a customer experience second to none.Check us out on the webJob DescriptionWe are looking for a Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager to join our growing team In this role, you will play a critical role in advancing Brightspeed's broadband deployment and business objectives through strategic engagement with state and local government officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders. You will support fiber expansion initiatives by facilitating permitting, resolving government-related issues, and strengthening Brightspeed's presence and reputation within the communities it serves. You will also contribute to advocacy efforts, community outreach, and cross-functional coordination to enable successful execution of the company's broadband strategy. You will need to be based in the Columbus, OH area to be considered for this position.AsGovernment Affairs and Community Relations Manager, your duties and responsibilities will include:Build and maintain strategic relationships with state and local government officials, broadband offices, community leaders, and industry stakeholders to support Brightspeed's broadband deployment and operational prioritiesEngage local governments and municipalities to facilitate fiber network expansion, including navigating permitting processes, addressing regulatory requirements, and resolving deployment-related issuesServe as a primary liaison between government entities and internal teams, including Network Operations, Engineering, Regulatory, Legal, Real Estate, and Corporate Communications, to resolve issues and support business initiativesSupport broadband grant initiatives by coordinating community outreach, strengthening relationships with broadband offices, and assisting in advocacy efforts aligned with funding opportunitiesPartner with sales and go-to-market teams, including SLED and Door-to-Door channels, to support market entry, community engagement, and business growth objectivesDevelop and maintain relationships with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and community groups to enhance Brightspeed's reputation and community presenceSupport construction and operational teams by helping resolve permitting, right-of-way, and buried service wire issues impacting broadband deployment timelinesMonitor state and local legislative and regulatory developments related to telecommunications and broadband and assess potential business impactSupport public messaging and communications efforts by coordinating with Corporate Communications to ensure alignment with Brightspeed's brand and strategic prioritiesContribute to government affairs strategy, planning, and execution to advance Brightspeed's policy, regulatory, and operational objectivesQualificationsWHAT IT TAKES TO CATCH OUR EYE:Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Government Affairs, Political Science, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience3+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, community relations, public affairs, or a related fieldBased in the Columbus, OH areaExperience working with state or local government agencies, elected officials, or public sector stakeholders

Created: 2026-02-27