Vice President of Broadband Services

Pea River Broadband is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pea River Cooperative, a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Ozark, Alabama, serving approximately 19,500 electric accounts and 7,500 fiber accounts. Through its state-of-the-art fiber-to-the-home network, Pea River Broadband delivers high-speed internet service throughout Barbour, Dale, and Henry Counties in southeast Alabama. The Cooperative is guided by four core values: commitment to the communities it serves, integrity, accountability, and innovation.

Pea River Broadband is seeking a Vice President of Broadband Services to provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the Cooperative's broadband operations and fiber-optic network. This executive-level position is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the broadband system while overseeing network performance, customer service, financial results, regulatory compliance, and the development of broadband personnel.

Working closely with the CEO and executive leadership team, the Vice President of Broadband Services will drive the continued growth and success of the broadband division, support the Cooperative's long-term strategic objectives, and ensure the delivery of exceptional service to customers throughout the service area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all broadband operations and personnel.
• Maintain and continuously improve departmental goals, priorities, established 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 necessary to support broadband operations.
• Coordinate broadband activities with other Cooperative departments and management.
• Keep the CEO informed of significant operational, financial, personnel, and strategic matters affecting broadband operations.

Network Operations and Reliability

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, performance, security, and reliability of the Cooperative’s fiber-optic network and related infrastructure.
• Ensure effective network monitoring, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades, capacity planning, redundancy, documentation, and lifecycle upgrades.
• Direct response and restoration efforts for network outages and significant service disruptions.
• Serve on the after-hours on-call rotation and respond to broadband outages, emergencies, and other critical operational 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 necessary to maintain reliable and efficient service.

Construction, Expansion, and Technology

• Oversee broadband system expansions, maintenance-related construction, network upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
• Evaluate targeted 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.

 Customer Service and Service Delivery

• Maintain and refine established standards for installations, repairs, technical support, and customer service.
• Monitor service quality, installation performance, customer concerns, and recurring service issues.
• Implement improvements to enhance customer service and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate broadband products and services and recommend changes based on customer and business needs.

Financial and Business Management

• 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.

Strategic Planning, Growth, and Grants

• Develop and implement short- and long-range plans for the Cooperative’s broadband business.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technology, customer needs, and competitive conditions.
• Identify opportunities for growth, improved service, increased efficiency, and continued development of the fiber network.
• Identify and pursue available 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 applicable compliance, reporting, documentation, and funding requirements.
• Participate in Cooperative strategic planning and recommend broadband initiatives, investments, and growth opportunities to the CEO.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure broadband operations comply with applicable federal, state, local, contractual, and Cooperative requirements.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory and industry developments affecting broadband operations.
• Ensure required operational records, reports, and documentation are properly 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• 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.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, engineering, information technology, business administration, management, or a related field preferred.
• Significant progressively responsible experience managing broadband or telecommunications operations, preferably within an established fiber network.
• Management experience overseeing employees and technical operations.
• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in both office and field environments, including broadband facilities, construction sites, customer locations, and other Cooperative facilities.
• Must be able to travel throughout the Cooperative’s service area and inspect broadband infrastructure in varying terrain and weather conditions.
• Must be available for after-hours on-call duty and respond to network outages, emergencies, and critical operational issues as required.
• May require occasional travel for training, conferences, vendor meetings, industry events, and other business activities.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based on the needs of the Cooperative and its broadband operations.

Pea River Electric Cooperative is "An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, including Veterans and Disabled."