[Hiring] Senior Carrier Relations Lead @Zayo Group

Role Description

Our Senior Carrier Relations Lead is responsible for managing strategic relationships with global telecommunications carriers and network infrastructure providers. This role leads complex contract negotiations, drives cost-optimization initiatives, and improves service assurance performance across a diverse portfolio of network services. The ideal candidate combines deep telecommunications industry experience with strong commercial acumen and the ability to leverage AI-driven analytics and automation to enhance pricing models, operational efficiency, and carrier performance monitoring.

• Hands-on experience with dark fiber procurement, IRU and lease agreements, long-haul and metro optical networks.
• Familiarity with data center ecosystems, including interconnection models, cross-connect strategy, colocation environments, and facility-level operational considerations.
• This role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, technical infrastructure planning, and vendor ecosystem management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in telecommunications wholesale carrier relations, procurement, or network operations.
• Deep knowledge of carrier technologies (IP networks, fiber transport, Ethernet, voice, cloud connectivity).
• Demonstrated success negotiating large-scale commercial agreements.
• Experience applying AI or automation tools in areas such as spend analysis, network monitoring, pricing analytics, or performance management.
• Strong analytical, financial, and contractual capability.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Requirements

• Serve as the primary liaison for assigned carriers, fostering strong partnerships and ensuring alignment with business priorities.
• Implement AI-enhanced scorecards, dashboards, and governance models to maintain transparency and accountability.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations (MSAs, SLAs, pricing schedules, renewals).
• Use AI-assisted pricing analytics and scenario modeling to support negotiation strategy and benchmark competitiveness.
• Conduct market assessments using predictive tools to inform long-term commercial strategy.
• Identify and execute cost-reduction initiatives across transport, IP transit, voice, DIA, and cloud connectivity services.
• Utilize AI solutions to analyze spend patterns, detect anomalies, forecast savings, and optimize vendor portfolios.
• Support Finance and Procurement with AI-enhanced financial modeling to validate savings.
• Partner with NOC and Engineering teams to monitor carrier performance and manage chronic escalations.
• Apply AI-based monitoring, event correlation, and predictive insights to improve reliability, MTTR, provisioning intervals, and overall service quality.
• Lead RCA reviews with carriers and track commitments using data-driven follow-up frameworks.
• Work with Product, Engineering, Legal, Procurement, and Network Planning teams to ensure carrier solutions align with service and expansion needs.
• Provide subject-matter expertise during RFPs, network expansions, and new service introductions, incorporating AI tools where beneficial.
• Build dashboards and executive reporting leveraging AI/ML models for forecasting, SLA compliance, commercial performance, and risk identification.
• Maintain accurate inventories, contract records, and pricing documentation using automation tools to increase accuracy and reduce manual workload.

Benefits

• Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
• Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave
• Estimated base salary range: $87,600 - $134,700 USD/annually.
• This position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off.