Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

DefinedTalent • South Royalton, VT

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

DefinedTalent is seeking a collaborative, hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a mission-driven broadband and fiber internet organization serving communities across Vermont. This individual will serve as both a strategic financial leader and an active contributor within a growing, community-focused organization. This is a player-coach role that requires rolling up sleeves, working alongside the team, solving challenges, and building the necessary systems, processes, and financial foundation for long-term growth and sustainability. The CFO will partner with the executive leadership team, Board of Directors, and staff to ensure financial stewardship, support operational decision-making, and strengthen the organization's ability to serve its communities. The ideal candidate is comfortable presenting to the Board, reviewing budgets, supporting audits, improving processes, and helping teams understand financial implications.
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within an organization that balances community service, infrastructure investment, and innovation while helping shape the future of broadband access across Vermont.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, with a concentration in Finance/Accounting
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience
• Experience in telecommunications, broadband, utilities, infrastructure, technology, or similarly complex operational environments.
• Demonstrated success in startup, scale-up, nonprofit, cooperative, or mission-driven organizations.
• Strong financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and analytical skills.
• Experience building systems, processes, and teams in growing organizations.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Nice To Haves

• CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors.
• Experience with rural broadband, fiber internet, cooperative, municipal, or community-based service models.
• Experience with grants, public funding, infrastructure financing, or capital-intensive operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the C-suite and Board.
• Help shape organizational strategy through financial planning, forecasting, and business analysis.
• Develop practical financial models that support network growth, infrastructure investment, and organizational sustainability.
• Develop, prepare and present financial reports, forecasts, and recommendations to C-suite and the Board.
• Translate financial data into meaningful insights that support informed decision-making.
• Maintain active involvement in budgeting, forecasting, accounting oversight, and financial reporting.
• Work directly with accounting partners, vendors, and internal staff to ensure accurate and timely financial operations.
• Monitor cash flow, reserves, capital spending, debt obligations, and funding opportunities.
• Review and improve financial processes, controls, and procedures while keeping systems practical and scalable.
• Support month-end, year-end, audit, and compliance activities.
• Partner closely with operations and engineering teams to align financial planning with network build out and infrastructure priorities.
• Support financial oversight and reporting of fiber construction projects, capital investments, and grant-funded initiatives.
• Monitor key operational and financial metrics, including subscriber growth, revenue trends, and service delivery costs.
• Help leadership evaluate opportunities and risks related to growth and long-term network sustainability.
• Lead by example through a player-coach leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and support finance and administrative staff while remaining actively engaged in the work.
• Partner with Human Resources and leadership on compensation planning, benefits strategy, workforce forecasting, and organizational growth.
• Foster financial transparency and help build financial literacy across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial, tax, regulatory, and grant requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate audits, tax filings, and reporting obligations.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks while maintaining appropriate internal controls.
• Support organizational governance through strong Board communication and reporting.
• Evaluate and improve financial systems and controls, reporting tools, and workflows.
• Build scalable processes that support future growth while maintaining flexibility and efficiency.
• Champion data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with a nationally recognized carrier; employer generously covers approximately 83% of plan premiums (as of 2026).
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) when electing an eligible medical plan.
• Employer-paid insurance benefits, including Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing on-demand counseling and wellness programming for employees and household members.
• 401(k) retirement plan enrollment upon eligibility, with a 3% safe harbor employer contribution.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) in alignment with start date, including company-recognized holidays, vacation time, seven (7) paid sick days, and three (3) personal floating holidays annually.
• Ancillary and voluntary benefits available for optional employee purchase, including but not limited to Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive