Carrier Access Project Manager – Cogent Communicat

General Summary: The Carrier Access Project Manager will manage Off Net Carrier Access migration and special renewal projects. She/he will organize, track and implement savings initiatives for cost reduction and optimization. She/he will require the ability to both work independently on projects and coordinate/collaborate cross-departmentally. This position also requires excellent customer communication skills.

Reporting to: Glenn Powell Director, Carrier Relations

Company:

Cogent is a multinational Tier 1 Internet Service Provider consistently ranked as one of the top five networks in the world. Our primary service offering consists of Internet access and data transport, offered over our award-winning fiber optic, IP data-only network, along with colocation in any of our 50 Internet data centers. We service two customer segments: " Corporate " ( small businesses to Fortune 100 companies) and " NetCentric " ( Carriers / Service Providers and Application / Content Providers, whose businesses rely primarily on Internet access).

Responsibilities:

Migration Projects

• Place orders with LECs/CLECs for local access services to connect customers to Cogent – primarily Ethernet local access. Track order milestones and resolve issues as necessary to manage order to completion.
• Initiate related disconnect orders for replaced services and confirm completion.
• Coordinate customer and vendor interaction, such as site survey scheduling, customer room ready preparedness, FOC date/dispatch. Coordinate internal Cogent departments such as engineering to configure ports and capacity planning to resolve capacity issues.
• Create and maintain detail project plans for Cogent initiated customer migration projects.
• Serve as primary point of contact for all Ethernet Services ( DIA and Ethernet Transport) customer migration projects. Provide direct customer communications on initial migration materials, order information, IP addresses, timeline coordination, and ultimate test and turn-up assistance.
• Report project outcomes and/or risk to the appropriate management teams as needed – escalating issues as necessary based on project work plans
• Complete customer migration orders upon successful test and acceptance and begin billing.

Renewal Projects

• Report project outcomes and/or risk to the appropriate management teams as needed – escalating issues as necessary based on project work plans.
• Place renewal orders with LECs/CLECs for local access services to connect customers to Cogent – primarily Ethernet local access. Track order milestones and resolve issues as necessary to manage order to completion.
• Update customer renewal orders upon successful completion in the appropriate Cogent systems.
• Create and maintain detail project plans for Cogent initiated customer renewal projects.

Carrier Access Pricing

• Identify prime vendors by geographic region, and on-net service address and CO CLLI lists
• Submit requests for pricing to identify vendors via email or online tools, negotiate rates, and relay information back to sales for inclusion in proposal to customer for dedicated Internet access and transport services
• Predesign last mile circuits, all associated costs and integrate it on the Cogent Network at the lowest cost possible all while maintaining Cogent’s optimal integrity of service
• Provide operational support with the highest level of superb customer experience to the sales organization by processing pre-sales opportunities for quotations on dedicated private-line services ( Metro Ethernet) from North American telecommunications providers. This is to support the sale of Cogent's Internet access and Ethernet transport products
• Manage vendor relationships; vendor performance, identify new service providers to extend the reach of Cogent services
• Manage and negotiate preliminary contractual agreements and terms that enable an efficient and scalable execution of our off-net sales expansion strategies. Work closely with available resources to jointly drive execution

Carrier Access Network Design/Optimization

• Collaborate with Service Delivery Teams to assign existing Off Net Vendor interface points ( NNIs) or install new NNIs. Evaluate, order, and install NNIs as needed. Track order milestones and resolve issues as necessary to manage order to completion.
• Place orders for EVC/NNI optimization projects ( EVC repoints). Coordinate EVC repoints with vendors and Cogent internal teams to schedule associated NOC events within customer SLA guidelines. Track order milestones and resolve issues as necessary to manage order to completion.
• Assist in the design and optimization of the Cogent Off Net Vendor network of NNIs

Educational & Experience Requirements:

• Site
• A working knowledge and understanding of the principles of Internet networking at Layer 2 and Layer 3, such as IP addressing, BGP routing, VLAN/EVC construction. Actual engineering and equipment programming is NOT required, but ability to facilitate LEC/CLEC options as well as support customer questions and turn up is necessary.
• Excellent written and oral customer communications skills. Ability to adapt and respond to various/unique implementation situations, manage customer’s expectation, resolve issues that arise, and ensure a positive customer experience in the implementation phase.
• Must be able to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with ILEC/CLEC ASR processes for ordering fiber based Ethernet services.
• High attention to detail with a focus on delivering accurate results
• Minimum of 7 years industry experience
• Knowledge of interconnect procedures in carrier neutral data centers, including LOA/CFA issuance, cable ordering procedures, and troubleshooting processes.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Well organized, results-oriented, ability to forecast and meet deadlines
• Solid problem solving and project management skills