GCI's Wireless RAN Design Manager will ensure detailed engineering design and delivery of GCI’s Wireless RAN infrastructure upgrades are in line with program goals. Develop standards and plans that ensure the best RF coverage and capacity to meet service quality standards and user demands. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

This leadership position requires the following non-delegable responsibilities:

Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of the team and areas of responsibility.  Provide strong leadership to span of control (direct and indirect reports); demonstrate effective leadership in all interactions companywide.    This leadership includes generating enthusiasm and shared commitment; identifying and setting direction; teaching, growing, and empowering; owning outcomes; and leading by example. Specific leadership duties include: Architecture and Technology strategy. Establishing the vision and tone for the department, consistent with company culture and mission. Establishing clear, measurable, and achievable goals and performance expectations and following up appropriately.  Hiring individuals who can accomplish those goals and meet those expectations; providing them the open communication, training, tools, and mentoring needed to be successful and develop professionally; establishing a development path commensurate with capabilities and potential. Providing clear and accurate feedback to individuals and teams on a timely and consistent basis. Identifying and addressing performance problems early and effectively before they damage GCI’s interests and demoralize other employees. Effectively managing processes including annual performance reviews, compensation adjustments, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions up to and including termination in an unbiased and consistent manner.

Decision Rights

Owns: 

Detailed designs that meet technology standards and ensure spectral efficiency. Seamless commissioning, integration & network testing of upgraded network elements. Capacity and Customer experience improvement in upgraded markets.

Influences:

Execution & Implementation. Continuous feedback to Strategy & Product organizations. Continuous improvement of engineering standards and methods.

Vetoes:

Non-Compliance with target infrastructure planning, standards, technology plans, high-level designs. Unplanned changes to capacity hurting users. Definition of products and services outside of network specification or capabilities.

 

Network Planning & Design: Prepare high & detailed level designs using industry standard tools such as Atoll, Planet, in alignment with corporate strategic goals, the future-state technologies, and telecom standards. Ensure Wireless RAN Design is aligned with CTO strategy organization, SMO strategy, as well as Product & Customer Experience teams to ensure E2E accountability. Ensure network capabilities meet customer and technological roadmap requirements. Ensure network complies with all regulatory requirements, such as spectrum licensing, EMF limits, and health and safety standards.

Metrics:  

Completion rate: % of design completions and site turn ups. Performance: All upgrades & Commissioned network elements to meet key performance indicator (KPI) & regulatory/compliance standards. Deployment efficiency: Reduce overall delivery times and improve the accuracy and reliability of services deployed. End-to-End (E2E) Performance: Performance and utilization of network elements shared with transport, wireless and wireline core. Documents & Standards: Documents that support the corporate strategic vision and goals for consistent and efficient deployment of technology and customer solutions. LRP goals for strategic alignment

 

Deployment & Integration:

Manage hardware configurations and standards of RAN components including frequency allocations, bandwidth utilization, antennas, power settings, and interference mitigation, to maximize coverage and signal quality.

 

Technology Strategy and Innovation:

Stay updated on the latest wireless technologies and industry trends.  Develop and implement plans for adopting new technologies & features to improve network performance and customer experience.

 

Team Development & Collaboration:

Identify training needs for the team, ensuring adherence to best practices.  Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless end-to-end service delivery.

 

FCC Plots & Spectral Efficiency:

Oversee preparation and filing of FCC coverage plots. Ensure optimal spectrum/bandwidth utilization meets coverage, capacity, and quality standards across all technology layers. Proven ability to lead a team to high levels of performance while maintaining morale and personal growth for employees. Ability to develop the team necessary to meet the business strategy and to successfully communicate and interact with other business units within the company. Ability to accurately communicate information virtually (i.e., Teams), over the phone, and in-person in a clear and concise manner to a range of audiences. Ability to accurately read, write, and respond to business correspondence such as emails, chat messages, policies, procedures, reports. Must be able to articulate complex technical information in presentation format, both verbally and written, in front of internal and external customers to achieve department and corporate goals. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex challenging problems and situations leading to optimal solutions. Ability to develop detailed capital and operating budgets for the department.  Familiar with reporting and tracking tools necessary to assure budget guidelines meet expectations. Demonstrated knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines and can learn quickly to support business strategy. High-level comprehensive knowledge of wireless systems, specifically, design requirements for CDMA/ EVDO, UMTS/LTE/GSM and WIFI networks. Experience with RF Design software packages such as Atoll, Planet and IBwave.  Experience with drive test and post processing software such as TEMS, Actix etc. Experience with Geolocation based network performance tools such as Truecall, ActixOne. CHANGE MANAGEMENT: champions and supports department and company change. DECISION MAKING: uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action. PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION: analyzes workload and establishes appropriate priorities; sets measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team. MENTORING & DEVELOPMENT:  utilizes interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: sets clear performance expectations for team. Demonstrated ability to manage performance through motivation and counseling of different levels of employees.

 

 

COMPETENCIES: ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve. BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles. COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances. COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally. COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction. RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations. RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving. SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures. Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.

 

Minimum Qualifications: 

 

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

High School diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field. * Minimum of seven (7) years of professional engineering experience in wireless telecommunications with a focus on RAN design or related background. * Including a minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory or management position; may be substituted with equivalent demonstrated functional leadership experience.

Preferred: 

IEEE WCET certification. Master’s degree or PhD in relevant field. Telecommunications experience. Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.

 

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:   Core work hour expectations are based on Alaska Time Zone. Work can be intense and stressful due to time/resource limitations when scheduling multiple tasks with inflexible deadlines.    Travel for business and training purposes may be required. Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage. Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment. Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively. Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively. Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.    Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.  Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers. Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.

 

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At GCI, we foster a culture of inclusivity by nurturing an environment where the varied perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community as we grow and empower a diverse workforce that provides equitable opportunity for every Trailblazer. EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.  DISCLAIMER:  The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.