General Counsel Jobs

Commnet, based in Castle Rock, Colorado, is focused on closing the digital divide in Rural America and Tribal Lands in the Western U.S. Commnet has a long and rich history of deploying communications networks in parts of America where there were no or few options. The Company’s initial focus was to bring basic mobile wireless communications as a Mobile Network Operator, offering Mobile Wireless and Mobile Lifeline services to remote customers, as well as providing a large roaming footprint for the customers of all national network operators when they come to visit and explore the beautiful rural West. Today, Commnet’s focus, and vision are to connect Rural America to broadband in these same areas, deploying middle-mile fiber and distribution fiber to deliver fiber to the home and business (FTTH) and fixed wireless broadband services where they are needed most. Commnet is also a large wholesale provider to local Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), Incumbent and Competitive Local Exchange Providers (ILECs/CLECs), as well as a build/operation partner for 5G mobile deployment for the national Mobile Network Operators. The Company also brings operational expertise to Tribal and local County and regional partners, sharing in the cost and operational responsibilities of running reliable broadband networks, but doing so with a feel that is familiar to local residents and businesses.

The Commnet mission is simple: to enable (through partners and carriers) or directly deliver high-quality broadband communications services to Tribal Communities and Rural America, driving digital inclusion and providing access to education, work, healthcare, safety, entertainment, and community connectivity.

General Purpose and Scope

The General Counsel is the primary legal, compliance, regulatory and risk management officer for the company and its subsidiaries. In this capacity, the role helps establish policies and practices in a variety of areas assisting the company to be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, while advancing the business objectives of the company. The General Counsel participates as a member of the executive leadership team in strategic planning, execution, and budgeting activities. The General Counsel has a critical and far-reaching role supporting the executive team, Board, various entities and overseeing a range of critical commercial, litigation, real estate, labor and employment, regulatory and IP matters.

This role leads several functional responsibilities to include Legal, Compliance, State and Local Government Relations, Corporate Communications, and Risk Management. The ideal candidate will have proven business savvy and strategic vision, as well as be able to roll up their sleeves to oversee a team of legal and compliance professionals and engage directly in strategic negotiations for the company. There is a strong preference for proven self-starters who bring strong problem-solving skills, along with the ability to manage details on several fronts simultaneously.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Oversight and guidance on key matters of employment and executive compensation.
• Develop legislative and regulatory strategies to affect outcomes on priority issues. This includes a review and understanding of pending legislation and government rulings as well as Federal, State and Tribal grant opportunities.
• Support Commnet Business Development leads to establish key contacts and maintain diverse relationships with local, state, and federal officials in all branches of government in each state.
• Develop and manage annual budget for the Legal department in partnership with the Commnet CFO.
• Develops and implements company’s legal strategies, oversees legal proceedings, regulatory compliance, and contract execution / administration in a variety of matters relevant to company operations.
• Serves as a partner to the CEO, CFO, and business unit executives for all business functions in advancing company objectives, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with peer association executives to assure timely communication of information/intelligence and to coordinate legislative and regulatory activities when possible. Evaluate pending legislation at both the State and Federal level and advise management of the impacts of pending proceedings and compliance requirements.

• Support compliance to and reporting on various Federal, State and Tribal grant subsidized programs and projects.
• Lead the development of a variety of legal agreements to support Commnet partnerships (e.g. our partnership on the Navajo Nation and with other tribal organizations).
• Supervise the filing of company compliance reports. Lead the financial and non-financial regulatory reporting functions, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Lead the development of contracts to both secure and sell to other providers the use of fiber, tower, and spectrum assets.

Competency Statement(s)

• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Communication Skills Written & Oral - Must have excellent oral and written communications skills. Able to succinctly describe status of business.
• Strategic Planning - Ability to develop a vision for the future and create a culture in which the long-range goals can be achieved.
• Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures.
• Negotiation Skills - Ability to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.

Education: Bachelor's and Law Degrees required.

Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in a relevant legal role. The ideal candidate will have both in-house and law firm experience as well as experience in telecommunications, fiber and tower asset management.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Benefits: Commnet is proud to offer a comprehensive suite of benefits to all regular full-time positions (hourly & salaried) to promote health and financial security for you and your family. Benefits include health, vision, dental, HSA/FSA, life and AD&D, short/long term disability coverage, parental leave, emergency travel assistance, and 401k. All employees also get access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes services such as 100% confidential counseling, financial information/resources, legal support, and general wellness issues.
• Hiring Compensation Range: $175K-$225K (compensation determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.)
• Other Compensation: This role will be eligible to participate in the annual bonus incentive compensation plan.

Agencies: All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at Commnet Broadband (the Company) via email, the internet or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of the Company, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by the Company for this position and a valid agreement with the Company is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of the Company agency engagement process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US. Commnet Broadband is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.