Chief Operating Officer, Full-Time

Golden West Corp Services; Hot Springs (SD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to execute its strategic vision and ensure operational excellence. The COO will collaborate with the CEO, lead initiatives for growth, and manage key divisions. Candidates should have significant experience in telecommunications and demonstrated skills in financial analysis and team leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in telecommunications, with 4+ years in a management role.
• Ability to analyze financial reports and ensure strategic objectives.
• Must be a strategic advisor and effective communicator.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence and oversee daily operations.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across all operations.

Skills

Strategic planning

Financial analysis

Operational management

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field

Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years telecommunications experience

Job description

One position available. This position has a reporting location of Wall, SD, or Hot Springs, SD, or Dell Rapids, SD.

Please forward cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:

Consortia Consulting, Inc.
c/o Dan Caldwell
16924 Frances Street, Suite 115
Omaha, NE 68130
Telephone - 402-441-1671
[e-mail]

General Summary:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the CEO's second-in-command and focuses on executing the Company's strategic vision to benefit customers, members, and communities of a large rural telecommunications Cooperative. The COO ensures operational excellence, strategic alignment, and financial stewardship of all assigned divisions and business units.

The COO collaborates with the Company's leadership to drive growth, optimize business operations, and lead major initiatives necessary to maintain industry leadership in a dynamic and competitive market.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as a strategic advisor and delegate to the CEO on all operational and business matters undertaken by the Company; participate in executive management and board meetings.
• Collaborate with leadership in developing high-level strategic objectives across the Company. Develop strategic initiatives, milestones, goals, measures, and deliverables required to achieve the key results.
• Translate high-level strategies into actionable plans for all assigned divisions and business units. Communicate and oversee the implementation of actionable plans. Monitor KPIs and ensure accountability across all assigned divisions and business units.
• Oversee daily operations across all assigned divisions and business units, ensuring alignment with the Company’s strategic objectives.
• Direct performance of operational activities to consistently achieve key results and deliverables. Ensure efficient business operations, effective resource management, and high-quality service delivery. Build, maintain, and enhance the team’s tactical capacity.

• Drive operational excellence through the company by optimizing processes, improving productivity, and fostering a culture of efficiency.
• Direct business unit(s) management to ensure profitability, performance, and customer satisfaction with the business unit’s products and services.
• Analyze internal processes to identify opportunities for operational and technical enhancements, leveraging new technologies and methodologies.
• Prepare and manage short- and long-range budgets, capital requirements, and resource allocation to support sustainable growth and financial targets. Optimize capital investments and control operating expenses to maximize productivity and effectiveness.
• Monitor adherence to approved budgets and work plans; prepare reports for the CEO and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration across the Company to engage relevant people, processes, and technology in decision making. Lead company-wide initiatives using cross-functional teams. Mentor leaders to ensure cross-functional efficiency and accountability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop direct reports, fostering a culture of innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Provide ongoing guidance and feedback to direct reports, discussing project updates, challenges, and department needs.
• Support employees in achieving career objectives and training goals to maximize their success within the organization.
• Collaborate with leadership and HR on employee relations, performance management, and policy coordination.
• Participate in expansion activities such as investments, partnerships, corporate alliances, and mergers/acquisitions.
• Ensure all operations comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Develop and implement company-wide processes to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, reporting obligations, and funding mechanisms.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies to safeguard organizational assets and reputation.

• Communicate effectively with peers, staff, and stakeholders to coordinate activities and ensure organizational alignment.

Other Responsibilities:

• Performs all other related duties assigned by Management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of Company policies, procedures, products, and services.
• Extensive knowledge in developing and implementing business strategy and goals using strategic planning frameworks.
• Extensive knowledge in operational planning concepts, best practices, and tools for driving operational performance.
• Extensive knowledge of methods for implementing measurable KPIs.
• Extensive knowledge in all aspects of telecommunications companies, including marketing, sales, customer service, service delivery, order fulfillment, plant construction, installation, network operations, customer support, trouble, and repair.
• Knowledge in telecommunication Part 32 accounting principles. financial reporting and financial performance analysis.
• Knowledge of budgeting, capital planning, and financial management principles, including resource allocation and cost control.
• Ability to interpret financial reports and perform financial analysis on operating statements, cash flows, and balance sheets. Must be able to effectively communicate and translate financial information to non-financial stakeholders in a professional and clear manner.
• Familiarity with regulatory environments and compliance requirements at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Knowledge of FCC programs such as USF, CAF-BLS, ACAM, Lifeline.
• Knowledge of local/intrastate and interstate tariff management, settlements, NECA pooling, and cost studies.
• Knowledge of telecommunications network design, installation, maintenance, and support operational practices.
• Knowledge of product line management or business unit management, including product development and product operations.
• Knowledge of Billing and Operational Support Systems B/OSS, Information Technology (IT), Cybersecurity, and related corporate technology operational functions and systems.
• Knowledge of various compliance frameworks such as NIST-CSF and COBIT.
• Knowledge of various operational and quality management frameworks such as eTOM, TL9000, TQM, Lean, Six-sigma, Theory of constraints.
• Knowledge of the latest trends in business, technology management, and leadership.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies, innovative practices, and methodologies to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.
• Knowledge of talent management, succession planning, and organizational structure best practices.
• Skill in leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams; fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Skill in cross-functional collaboration and building consensus across departments and teams.
• Understanding of employee relations, performance management, and professional development processes.
• Ability to translate high-level strategic objectives into actionable plans.
• Ability to effectively implement plans with concrete deliverables and timeframes.
• Ability to provide effective feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and support employee growth.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with executive leadership, board members, staff, and stakeholders.
• Skill in analyzing internal processes, identifying operational and technical improvements, and implementing data-driven solutions.
• Ability to monitor and interpret system performance data, financial reports, and regulatory requirements to inform decision-making.
• Skill in project management, including planning, executing, and monitoring complex projects across multiple business units.
• Ability to oversee daily operations, manage resources, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Ability to set and achieve comprehensive organizational goals for growth, efficiency, and operational excellence.
• Ability to serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and act as a delegate in executive matters.
• Ability to ensure operational compliance with all relevant regulations and complete regulatory reports accurately and on time.
• Ability to facilitate risk management functions to safeguard organizational assets and reputation.
• Ability to optimize resource allocation, manage capital investments, and control operating expenses to support sustainable growth.
• Ability to drive organizational changes.

Education and/or Experience:

• 7+ years of consecutive experience at a telecommunications company, with 4+ years managing multiple teams.
• 2+ years of Senior/Executive level management experience preferred.
• Master’s degree (preferred) in engineering, technology, business administration, management, or a related field with 5+ years direct telecommunications experience; or Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of direct telecommunications experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid South Dakota driver’s license, have an excellent driving record, and be insurable under the Company’s policy carrier.

Other Qualifications and/or Credentials:

Must live within Golden West Service Territory or be willing to relocate to the Golden West Service Territory.

Physical Requirements:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS	0-24%	25-49%	50-74%	75-100%
Seeing: Must be able to read computer screen and various reports.	X
Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and business contacts.	X
Standing/Walking:	X
Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling:	X
Lifting/Pulling/Pushing:	X
Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to write, type, and use phone system.	X
Sitting	X

Working Conditions:

Good working conditions with the absence of disagreeable conditions. Climate controlled building with adequate lighting and space. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Note:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.