VP of Operations

Direct Communications•Rockland, ID

1d•$150,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Are you a visionary operational leader who thrives on collaboration, rolls up your sleeves to get things done, and possesses the emotional intelligence to inspire a high-performing team? At Direct Communications, we’ve spent over 75 years connecting rural communities. Today, we deliver exceptional, cutting-edge broadband infrastructure, high-end managed networks, and advanced security solutions like Arlo cameras and outdoor Wi-Fi to families and businesses across Idaho, Louisiana, and Maine. We are looking for an executive who is hungry to drive results, smart about building strong cross-functional relationships, and humble enough to put the team and the community first. We also believe in taking exceptional care of the people who build our future. When you join us, you’ll enjoy AMAZING benefits, starting with comprehensive health, dental, and vision care insurance for just $0.50 per paycheck! Add to that a 6% 401(k) match, generous paid time off (14 days in Year 1), 10 observed holidays, and complete personal and professional tuition reimbursement. If you are guided by Integrity, Growth, Respect, Sustainability, Strategic Decision-Making, and Community, come be a part of something great! As the Vice President of Operations, you will step into a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for translating high-level executive strategy into actionable, boots-on-the-ground operational victory. You will direct and manage all aspects of broadband infrastructure deployment, physical deployment management, and field execution. This role requires a unique blend of strategic thinking and relentless execution. You aren't just managing metrics; you are actively mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders, fostering an environment of continuous improvement, and ensuring our field operations represent our culture of excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in the telecommunications/broadband industry, specifically centered on OSP management, fiber construction, and field operations.
Deep operational understanding of Outside Plant (OSP) architecture, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployment models, and field management.
Proven experience managing substantial CAPEX and OPEX budgets.
A self-motivated, collaborative leader who naturally focuses on the collective success of the team, communicates transparently, and treats both municipal partners and crew members with deep respect.
Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean record and be able to pass pre-employment drug and background screenings.

Responsibilities

Partner closely with the executive team to shape long-term corporate goals, effectively cascading that strategy so every field technician and manager understands the "why" behind the "what".
Develop and implement operational strategies that drive efficiency, ensure cost-effective resource allocation, and consistently hit corporate growth benchmarks.
Lead, mentor, and actively develop a high-performing operations team. You will champion accountability, celebrate team wins over individual status, and build a robust leadership succession plan.
Oversee substantial capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) budgets. Continually evaluate and refine operational policies to drive improvement across all field and construction segments.
Direct physical deployment operations, including both underground and aerial fiber construction.
Manage field construction crews and contractors to ensure high performance, safety, and seamless cross-functional handoffs.
Secure local municipality relationships, permitting, and rights-of-way to ensure projects are delivered on time.
Optimize supply chain management to guarantee material availability for all ongoing buildouts.
Oversee the strategic planning and long-term health of our physical OSP network topology, ensuring maximum structural integrity.
Prioritize timely subscriber installations, preventative maintenance, and complex network repairs to elevate the overall customer experience.
Ensure field technicians are well-equipped, highly trained in advanced troubleshooting, and positioned to maximize network uptime.
Oversee project management teams using specialized workflows (Project Trax) to deliver major projects on time, within scope, and within budget.
Cooperatively develop and enforce rigorous health, safety, and utility damage prevention programs, including absolute compliance with "Call Before You Dig" (811) regulations.
Establish and monitor stringent KPIs across all workflows to ensure deployments meet strict quality and regulatory standards.

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision care insurance for just $0.50 per paycheck
6% 401(k) match
Generous paid time off (14 days in Year 1)
10 observed holidays
Complete personal and professional tuition reimbursement
Company-paid Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Short-Term Disability insurance.
Long-Term Disability options.
Company-paid 3rd party personal finance management services.
Voluntary Flex Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical and/or Daycare.
Voluntary Supplemental Group Term Life, Accident, and Critical Illness Insurance.
Free high-speed internet (if you live within our service footprint)
Ongoing on-the-job training.