Vice President of Broadband Services

Pea River Electric Cooperative•Ozark, AL

21h

About The Position

Pea River Broadband, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pea River Cooperative, is seeking a Vice President of Broadband Services to provide strategic leadership and overall direction for its broadband operations and fiber-optic network. The executive-level role is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the broadband system, including network performance, customer service, financial results, regulatory compliance, and development of broadband personnel. Working closely with the CEO and executive leadership team, the Vice President will guide the continued growth and success of the broadband division, support the Cooperative’s long-term strategic objectives, and ensure exceptional service to customers across the service area. The role oversees operations and personnel, network reliability and security, construction and expansion, service delivery, budgets and financial performance, strategic planning and grants, and regulatory compliance and risk management. Work is performed in office and field environments, including broadband facilities, construction sites, customer locations, and other Cooperative facilities. The position requires travel throughout the service area and availability for after-hours on-call duty and response to outages, emergencies, and critical operational issues. Occasional travel for training, conferences, vendor meetings, industry events, and other business activities may be required.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of broadband and fiber-optic network operations, construction, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Extensive knowledge of telecommunications systems, network infrastructure, equipment, and broadband technologies.
Strong leadership, employee development, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage budgets, capital projects, contracts, vendors, and operational resources.
Ability to analyze technical, operational, and financial information and make sound business decisions.
Ability to interpret technical, operational, subscriber, and financial performance data to guide business decisions.
Strong planning, organizational, project management, and communication skills.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to outages, emergencies, and other high-pressure situations.
Ability to develop and administer grant applications, funding requirements, and related reporting.
Strong commitment to safety, reliability, customer service, and the Cooperative business model.
Significant progressively responsible experience managing broadband or telecommunications operations, preferably within an established fiber network.
Management experience overseeing employees and technical operations.
Must be available for after-hours on-call duty and respond to network outages, emergencies, and critical operational issues as required.
Must be able to travel throughout the Cooperative’s service area and inspect broadband infrastructure in varying terrain and weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, engineering, information technology, business administration, management, or a related field preferred.
Experience with broadband budgets, capital projects, vendors, network infrastructure, and strategic planning strongly preferred.
Experience with broadband grants or government funding programs preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all broadband operations and personnel.
Maintain and continuously improve departmental goals, priorities, procedures, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
Manage, develop, and support broadband employees while promoting accountability, teamwork, safety, and excellent customer service.
Evaluate staffing, succession planning, training, equipment, technology, and other resources needed to support broadband operations.
Coordinate broadband activities with other Cooperative departments and management, and keep the CEO informed of significant operational, financial, personnel, and strategic matters.
Oversee operation, maintenance, performance, security, and reliability of the fiber-optic network and related infrastructure.
Ensure effective network monitoring, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades, capacity planning, redundancy, documentation, and lifecycle upgrades.
Direct responses and restoration efforts for outages and significant service disruptions; participate in the after-hours on-call rotation and respond to critical issues outside normal business hours.
Coordinate with broadband personnel, contractors, vendors, and service providers to resolve network and service issues.
Evaluate network performance and implement improvements to maintain reliable and efficient service.
Oversee broadband system expansions, maintenance-related construction, network upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
Evaluate expansion opportunities based on customer demand, cost, network capacity, expected return, and strategic fit.
Manage project planning, budgets, schedules, contractors, vendors, and completion of major broadband projects.
Ensure construction and infrastructure projects meet Cooperative standards, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations.
Maintain and refine standards for installations, repairs, technical support, and customer service.
Monitor service quality, installation performance, customer concerns, and recurring service issues, and implement improvements to customer service and operational efficiency.
Evaluate broadband products and services and recommend changes based on customer and business needs.
Develop and manage annual broadband operating and capital budgets.
Monitor revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, subscriber growth, churn, take rate, service costs, and other key performance measures.
Evaluate rates, operating costs, service offerings, capital requirements, contracts, vendors, and major purchases.
Develop recommendations to support the financial performance and long-term sustainability of broadband operations.
Develop and implement short- and long-range plans for the broadband business.
Monitor industry trends, emerging technology, customer needs, and competitive conditions; identify opportunities for growth, improved service, greater efficiency, and network development.
Identify and pursue federal, state, local, and other broadband grant and funding opportunities; prepare, coordinate, and submit grant applications and supporting documentation as appropriate.
Oversee awarded broadband grants, including compliance, reporting, documentation, and funding requirements.
Participate in Cooperative strategic planning and recommend broadband initiatives, investments, and growth opportunities to the CEO.
Ensure broadband operations comply with applicable federal, state, local, contractual, and Cooperative requirements, and maintain awareness of relevant regulatory and industry developments.
Ensure required operational records, reports, and documentation are maintained.
Coordinate network security, cybersecurity, physical security, and business continuity needs with appropriate Cooperative personnel and service providers.
Ensure contractors and vendors comply with applicable Cooperative, safety, operational, and contractual requirements.
Travel throughout the Cooperative’s service area and inspect broadband infrastructure in varying terrain and weather conditions.