Carrier Relations Manager Ii - Quote Desk Manager

Position Title:Carrier Relations Manager II - Quote Desk Manager (P4)

Company Summary 

Crown Castle is the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure: towers, small cells and fiber. Whenever you make a call, track a workout or stream music and videos, we’re the ones providing the communications infrastructure that makes it possible to transform the way we live and work. From 5G and the internet of things to drones, autonomous vehicles and AR/VR, we enable the technologies that help people stay safe, connected and ready for the future. Crown Castle is publicly traded on the S&P 500, and one of the largest Real Estate Investment Trusts in the US.

Role

The Quote Desk Manager is responsible for management and negotiation with lit and dark fiber carriers for the lowest total cost of ownership to get the needed transport/access services at the best value. The Quote Desk Manager will be responsible to develop and lead continual automation to drive quoting efficiency, accuracy, and speed to the deal table for our Sales teams. The Quote Desk Manager is responsible for qualifying and onboarding new vendors. Works closely with internal customers including Sales Engineering, Infrastructure Planning, Product and Vendor counterparts to solicit vendor proposals for Network & Customer Solutioning. As a key member of the Carrier Relations team, this position drives continuous process improvement, operational efficiency, and control of costs to provide a level of service which meets or exceeds customer and other departmental expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and design of the quote automation tool regarding enhancements and processes working with internal IT development teams and quoting tool vendors.
• Negotiate carrier proposals with respect to rates, requirements, and other terms in coordination with internal and external 3rd party carrier technical teams to ensure accuracy and feasibility of network design and deliverables for Lit and Dark Fiber solutions.
• Serve as escalation point for issues with vendor adherence to committed quote SLAs, cost disputes and contract obligations related to quoting activity.
• Develop and implement performance improvement plans and drive the resolution of quoting issues that result from supplier performance deficiencies.
• Train and mentor new Quote Desk personnel.
• Manage and prioritize escalations appropriately within the Quote Desk environment.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external parties, including vendor Directors and VPs with respect to resolution of issues and Pre-Sale escalations.
• Develop standard performance reports as necessary.
• Develop Type II vendor RFPs to support RFPs from the sales team.
• Qualify and onboard new Type II vendors
• Serve as single point of contact for carrier account team and provide subject matter expertise with respect to Type II Carriers product, footprints and competitiveness to internal departments.
• Ensure vendor data and documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Maintain rate sheets and service availability documentation for each carrier across the network to be used in Auto-Quoting and manual quoting.

Expectations 

• Ability to work hands-on, independently with overall guidance by the Manager of Carrier Relations
• Experience managing multiple vendors and resources in order to deliver time-sensitive projects.
•  Excellent organizational skills – including prioritization of daily, weekly and longer-term activities.
• Basic understanding of Ethernet, wavelengths, broadband, and wireless technologies
• Basic understanding of Dark Fiber, (D)WDM and SONET/TDM Technologies
• Basic understanding of OSP/ISP construction
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, pivot tables, report generation

Education/Certifications 

•  Bachelor's Degree

Experience/Minimum Requirements 

•  8+ Telecommunications experience
• Experienced with quote automation tools such as ConnectBase, MasterStream, Vendor APIs.
• Experienced with Cross connects, Lit and Dark Circuits, colocation spaces, meet-me-rooms, carrier hotels, Riser companies and cross-connect types.
• Understanding of Telecommunications Networks including Ethernet, Wave, and Dark Fiber, Broadband, Fixed Wireless and Wireless
• Experience with the following OSS applications preferred (similar Telecom related OSS systems acceptable)
  • GIS
  • Google Earth
  • SharePoint
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM
  •  Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Teams

Organizational Relationship 

Reportsto: Manager, Carrier Relations

Title(s) of direct reports (if applicable): N/A

We offer a total benefits package and professional growth development for teammates in any stage of their career. Along with caring for our teammates, we’re an active member in the communities where we live, work and do business. We have a responsibility to give back, which we do through our Connected by Good program. Giving back allows us to improve public spaces where people connect, promote public safety and advance access to education and technology.

Working Conditions:This role falls into our hybrid work model working in the office on Monday through Thursday.  On Fridays, teammates on the hybrid schedule will have the option to work from the office or home.  There is an expectation of collaboration with teammates and stakeholders for moments that matter that could require travel.

For New York, Colorado, California and Washington residents the hiring range offered for this position is $109,000- $130,000 annually. In addition to salary, employees are eligible for an annual bonus of up to 20% of annual salary and restricted stock. Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive 18 days of paid time off each year and 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.