Associate Director, Franchise, ROW

Verizon

. Lead end-to-end strategic planning, acquisition, governance, and lifecycle management for public franchises and private rights-of-way supporting long-haul fiber optic and next-generation AI network infrastructure .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $114,000 - $219,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in managing the entire contract lifecycle for public franchise agreements and private easements, with a strong focus on compliance, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to lead teams in the telecom right-of-way sector, ensuring alignment across legal, regulatory, and operational functions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)Telecom Right-of-Way (ROW) ManagementVendor Partner ManagementMunicipal Government AffairsProject Management Professional (PMP) Certification

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Contract Lifecycle ManagementReal Property Due DiligenceMunicipal Ordinances UnderstandingCompetitive Parity AnalysisTitle Abstracts ManagementBoundary SurveysProperty ValuationCompliance TrackingNegotiation SkillsRegulatory Frameworks Knowledge

Soft Skills

Team LeadershipStakeholder DiplomacyExecutive CommunicationTalent DevelopmentResource Planning

Certifications & Qualifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Juris Doctor (JD)Senior Right of Way Professional (SR/WA) Designation

Industry Keywords

Public Utility Franchise ManagementMunicipal Encroachment PermitsLong-Haul Fiber BuildsOutside Plant (OSP) TelecommunicationsUtility Relocation Dispute Resolutions

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead end-to-end strategic planning, acquisition, governance, and lifecycle management for public franchises and private rights-of-way supporting long-haul fiber optic and next-generation AI network infrastructure
Lead a team responsible for securing and protecting company legal interests, real property rights, and municipal access authority across multi-jurisdictional fiber routes
Establish operational standards and direct negotiations with Local Franchise Authorities, state DOTs, commercial entities, and private landowners
Oversee Contract Lifecycle Management from initial request and stage-gate approvals through execution, compliance tracking, auditing, and renewal
Direct vendor performance and manage alignment across Legal, Regulatory, Risk Management, OSP Engineering, and Tax
Lead and mentor ROW and Franchise specialists and external partner firms; oversee capacity planning, workload distribution, performance management, and professional development
Formulate outreach to cities, towns, counties, and LFAs; lead permit-only advocacy, FOIA and competitor parity analyses, and negotiation escalations
Direct acquisition of permanent and temporary private/commercial easements, centerline surveys, title examinations, and government land grants
Govern CLM architecture across public franchise agreements, municipal licenses, and private easement portfolios
Consolidate cross-functional input into master contract drafts and protect key legal rights
Ensure post-execution onboarding, compliance audits, reporting, bond and insurance renewals, fee structures, cost baselines, and county recordations
Manage abstract/title agencies and outside counsel; enforce cycle-time SLAs and capital and operational expense budgets
Resolve regulatory, civic, and property roadblocks and deliver legally sound and ethical outcomes

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or four or more years of work experience
Six or more years of relevant work experience in telecom right-of-way (ROW), public utility franchise management, municipal government affairs, or commercial real estate law
Proven experience managing and leading teams, including talent development, resource planning, and vendor partner management
Deep subject matter expertise in the entire contract lifecycle for public franchise agreements, municipal encroachment permits, and private easements
In-depth understanding of municipal ordinances, state franchise statutes, competitive parity/FOIA analysis, and public utility regulatory frameworks
Experience with real property due diligence, including title abstracts, boundary surveys, property valuation, and county recording processes
Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time
A valid driver’s license
Direct experience leading ROW and franchise portfolios for major long-haul fiber builds, outside plant (OSP) telecommunications, or critical utility infrastructure
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent credentials
Demonstrated success establishing Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platforms, compliance databases, and cross-functional stage-gate approval workflows
Background handling complex multi-jurisdictional municipal negotiations, city council/commission public hearings, and utility relocation dispute resolutions
Exceptional executive communication, stakeholder diplomacy, and commercial negotiation skills
Juris Doctor (JD), Master’s degree in Public Administration/Business, or Senior Right of Way Professional (SR/WA) designation are additional qualifications

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
AD&D insurance
Identity theft protection
Pet insurance
Group home and auto insurance
Matched 401(k) savings plan
Up to 8 company-paid holidays per year
Up to 6 personal days per year
Paid parental leave
Adoption assistance
Tuition assistance
Other incentives
Potential premium pay including overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, and allowances
Up to 15 days of vacation per year for newly hired employees, increasing with service
Hybrid work arrangement with work from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office