Broadband Program Manager

Job Title: Broadband Program Manager

Location: Eastern Kentucky with a Focus on Southeastern Kentucky Counties

Job Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Organization Overview: Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization dedicated to addressing economic distress in Eastern Kentucky through innovative
population-positive initiatives and programming. Our mission is to foster growth in the region's
population by creating sustainable opportunities for economic development, improving the
quality of life, and promoting community well-being.

Position Overview: SOAR is seeking a dynamic and experienced Broadband Program
Manager to lead the implementation of USDA Broadband Technical Assistance projects and
provide cross-program support for ongoing projects dealing with downstream impacts of
broadband including digital skilling, remote employment, and telehealth. The Broadband
Program Manager will be responsible for coordinating technical assistance efforts, managing
project deliverables, and supporting SOAR’s broader mission to address digital equity and
connectivity challenges in Eastern Kentucky. 25% regional travel is expected with this position.

Key Responsibilities

1. USDA Broadband Technical Assistance Projects 

• Oversee all aspects of project implementation, ensuring adherence to grant objectives and timelines.
• Coordinate community engagement activities, including forming advisory teams and facilitating public forums.
• Manage recruitment efforts by evaluating program applicants to identify high-caliber candidates and conducting targeted outreach.
• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners, such as Connected Nation and Legg Strategies, to deliver technical assistance and broadband planning.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, including maps, gap analyses, and feasibility studies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with USDA Rural Development staff, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Monitor project progress, prepare reports, and submit required documentation to grant funders.
• Stay informed about national and state-level broadband policies and opportunities, providing strategic recommendations to SOAR leadership

2. Support SOAR’s Partnership with Code Kentucky

• Assist with workforce development initiatives focused on advanced digital skilling that lead to good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.
• Support recruitment, engagement, and retention activities for target populations, including veterans, women, justice-involve, and substance use disorder.
• Build relationships with Code Kentucky staff and students including helping to plan regular in-person meetings between project management and localized “meet ups” with students and alumni
• Help monitor project progress, prepare reports, and submit required documentation to grant funders.

3. Starlink Pilot Project with Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky

• Work with SOAR’s Digital Navigator Manager to implement a defined workplan related to improved telehealth outcomes leveraging Starlink connectivity.

• Assist with technology readiness assessments, digital training workshops, and device distribution.
• Help monitor project progress, prepare reports, and submit required documentation to grant funders.
• Conduct in-depth assessments of the impact including user retention, quality-of-life improvements, and utilization of services

4. Cross-Program, Organizational Support, and Strategic Management

• Provide strategic input and technical expertise to SOAR’s digital equity and broadband initiatives.
• Identify and implement best practices for addressing connectivity challenges in rural communities.
• Support SOAR’s leadership team with programmatic insights and recommendations for scaling broadband efforts.
• Contribute to public relations and marketing efforts by participating in community events, presenting at conferences, and representing SOAR in external meetings.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including local government officials, industry leaders, and community organizations to advance SOAR’s broadband and connectivity goals.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with grant and contract compliance.

4. Documentation and Recordkeeping

• Maintain organized, up-to-date records for all grants and contracts, ensuring accessibility and audit readiness.
• Develop and refine templates, tools, and policies to streamline administrative processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Strong track record of leading cross-sector collaborations and managing partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and private organizations.
• Strong understanding of digital equity, economic development, and rural revitalization issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working with rural or underserved communities is highly preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools like Asana.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, adapting to dynamic challenges and priorities.

Culture and Core Values

SOAR’s mission is simple: grow Eastern Kentucky’s population.

Our team culture is anchored by putting the interests of Eastern Kentucky first in all that we do. We believe treating others the way we want to be treated is always within our control. Our core values include faith, selflessness, grit, integrity, and empathy. We do our best to exemplify these daily in our interactions with each other and with external partners.

Why SOAR?

The SOAR organization offers a chance to be part of a movement that’s bigger than any one of us individually. Tackling the challenges facing Eastern Kentucky is going to take all of us to come together to find the solutions. Through communications, collaborations, and convenings, SOAR is helping to get the right people in the right rooms to ensure the future of Eastern Kentucky burns as bright as ever.

SOAR offers a competitive salary along with the following benefits:

• 100% paid individual health insurance
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan
• Cell phone stipend
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
• Laptop provided
• Annual bonus

SOAR is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.