Spectrum Manager

About the Organization

We are an internationally focused entity dedicated to managing essential telecommunications and wireless assets efficiently, securely, and according to relevant regulations. Our teams collaborate across diverse fields including Telecommunications, Network Engineering, IT, Operations, Cybersecurity, Legal, Procurement, and Government Relations to ensure optimal use of radio-frequency spectrum and dependable wireless connections.

Role Overview

The Spectrum Manager will lead the strategy and operational management of radio-frequency spectrum resources. This role encompasses planning, licensing, coordination, monitoring, compliance enforcement, and overall optimization of spectrum assets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive spectrum management policies, governance frameworks, and standards.
• Oversee the organization's RF spectrum assets and frequency allocations.
• Develop and align spectrum plans with current and forthcoming wireless communication needs.
• Coordinate spectrum requirements among telecommunications, networking, engineering, operations, and technology teams.
• Maintain updated and detailed records of spectrum inventories, frequency assignments, licenses, and associated technical documents.
• Track spectrum usage and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency.
• Perform frequency planning, allocation, assignment, coordination, and reassignment.
• Analyze spectrum needs for new networks, facilities, wireless systems, and technology deployments.
• Support spectrum planning across multiple systems such as mobile, fixed wireless, satellite, microwave, private networks, and IoT.
• Facilitate frequency assignments to reduce interference and boost network performance.
• Conduct interference analysis and assist in resolving persistent or harmful interference issues.
• Monitor spectrum usage to detect unauthorized or unusual transmissions when applicable.
• Manage spectrum licensing processes including renewals, modifications, and regulatory filings.
• Keep precise documentation of spectrum licenses, technical parameters, expiration dates, and compliance obligations.
• Engage with national telecommunications regulators and government bodies.
• Stay abreast of changes in spectrum regulations, allocation plans, technical standards, and licensing procedures.
• Evaluate how regulatory changes impact organizational spectrum demands.
• Prepare technical and regulatory documentation for spectrum-related applications and approvals.
• Support regulatory processes such as spectrum auctions, tenders, consultations, and other proceedings as needed.
• Coordinate on international frequency issues and cross-border interference challenges.
• Collaborate with engineering to ensure devices comply with approved frequency and technical specifications.
• Review radio system designs, frequency plans, antenna layouts, power levels, bandwidth needs, and coverage objectives.
• Assist technical assessments regarding spectrum sharing, refarming, coexistence, and reallocation initiatives.
• Identify ways to improve spectrum efficiency through technology upgrades and network optimization.
• Monitor spectrum use relative to licensed availability and operational needs.
• Build forecasting models considering business growth, network expansion, technological advancements, and demand shifts.
• Assess emerging technologies and their spectrum necessities.
• Support preparation for 5G deployment, private wireless networks, IoT integration, satellite communications, and other new connectivity solutions.
• Establish spectrum monitoring and measurement programs leveraging suitable tools and systems.
• Analyze monitoring data to spot congestion, interference, and underused resources.
• Collaborate with Cybersecurity and Network Operations teams to address wireless security and prevent unauthorized access.
• Ensure spectrum practices comply with all laws, regulations, licenses, and internal policies.
• Supervise external experts, spectrum specialists, engineering contractors, and technical service providers.
• Evaluate vendor performance including the quality of technical deliverables and contractual adherence.
• Prepare and manage budgets, forecasts, and investment proposals related to spectrum management.
• Keep all technical documentation, frequency databases, regulatory correspondence, and compliance records up to date.
• Create dashboards, reports, utilization analyses, and presentations for spectrum management.
• Define procedures for spectrum requests, approvals, assignments, modifications, and decommissioning.
• Support audits, regulatory inspections, technical reviews, and compliance checks.
• Develop contingency and risk mitigation plans addressing spectrum disruptions, interference events, regulatory changes, and critical wireless service failures.
• Lead initiatives for continuous improvements enhancing spectrum efficiency, reliability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

Key Performance Indicators

• Rate of spectrum utilization
• Accuracy in frequency assignment
• Improvement in spectrum efficiency
• Compliance with licensed spectrum regulations
• Availability of spectrum resources
• Timely completion of frequency coordination
• Number of interference incidents
• Resolution time for interference issues
• Detection of unauthorized transmissions
• Overall regulatory compliance rate
• Completion rate for license renewals and applications
• Accuracy in regulatory submissions and spectrum inventory
• Effectiveness of spectrum forecasting and capacity utilization
• Network interference performance and frequency reuse efficiency
• Effectiveness of spectrum sharing and monitoring coverage
• Compliance with technical parameters
• Results from regulatory audits and corrective actions
• Vendor performance and project delivery effectiveness
• Control of spectrum operating and licensing costs
• Availability and reliability of wireless services
• Mitigation of critical spectrum-related risks
• Progress in technology modernization

Ideal Candidate Profile

• In-depth experience in spectrum management, radio-frequency engineering, telecommunications, wireless network planning, regulatory affairs, or communications infrastructure.
• Comprehensive knowledge of RF spectrum management and wireless communications.
• Expertise in frequency planning, coordination, allocation, assignment, and licensing processes.
• Strong grasp of RF propagation, interference management, frequency reuse, and enhancing spectrum efficiency.
• Experience collaborating with telecommunications regulators and spectrum authorities.
• Familiarity with mobile, fixed wireless, microwave, satellite, private networks, and IoT spectrum requirements.
• Skilled in preparing regulatory documents, technical submissions, and spectrum records.
• Understanding of wireless network design and associated technical parameters.
• Experience using spectrum-monitoring devices, RF analysis software, and frequency management systems.
• Capability to manage spectrum inventories, licenses, technical records, and compliance obligations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to translate complex technical data into actionable recommendations.
• Competent project and stakeholder management skills with experience overseeing consultants, vendors, and external technical partners.
• Well-versed in telecommunications regulations and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and reporting abilities in English.
• Proven capability to handle multiple priorities including spectrum assignments, projects, deadlines, and regulatory requirements.
• Commercial awareness concerning spectrum licensing, infrastructure investments, and operational budgeting.
• Knowledgeable about emerging wireless technologies and future spectrum demands.
• Experience working with international or distributed teams is highly advantageous.