VISPO is seeking a collaborative, hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve as both a strategic leader and active contributor within our growing organization.

This is not a traditional corporate CFO role. As a community-driven organization supporting broadband and fiber internet services in a 31 town Communications Union District (CUD) in Vermont, we are looking for a player-coach who enjoys building alongside the team, solving problems in real time, and helping create the systems, processes, and financial foundation needed for long-term success.

The CFO will work closely with the C-suite, Board, and staff to ensure financial sustainability, support operational decision-making, and strengthen the organization's ability to serve the communities that depend on our network. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable presenting financial strategy to the Board as they are reviewing budgets, supporting audits, improving processes, or helping staff understand financial impacts on day-to-day operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Financial Leadership

• 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.

Hands-On Financial Management

• 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.

Broadband & Infrastructure Financial Planning

• 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.

Team Leadership & Organizational Partnership

• 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.

Compliance, Governance & Stewardship

• 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.

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Required

• 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.

Preferred

• 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.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range

• Annual salary range of $130k - $145k commensurate with experience, qualifications, and alignment with VISPO’s mission and growth stage. This role is classified as exempt in accordance with Vermont and federal wage and hour laws

BENEFITS:
VISPO offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial wellbeing, and work-life balance of our employees:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, with shared employer and employee contributions
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) when electing an eligible medical plan
• Term Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing on-demand counseling and wellness programming for employees and household members
• 401(k) retirement plan enrollment upon eligibility, with 3% employer contribution
• Paid Time Off (PTO) in alignment with hire date, including company-recognized holidays, vacation time, sick time, and personal floating holidays
• Ancillary and voluntary benefits available for optional employee purchase

VISPO reserves the right to modify benefit offerings in accordance with applicable law and business needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement VISPO is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act, the Equal Pay Act, and related anti-discrimination laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under Vermont or federal law.

ABOUT VISPO

VISPO is a special form of non-profit dedicated to providing essential government services for the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District. ECFiber is a municipal district, similar to a school district or water district in which multiple towns working together to create shared broadband infrastructure. The District owns the ECFiber fiber optic network, which provides high speed internet to over 10,000 customers in 31 towns throughout East Central Vermont. VISPO builds, operates and maintains the ECFiber network on behalf of the District.

For information about ECFiber - the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District see: https://ecvtd.gov.

Employment Classification This position is at-will, meaning that employment may be terminated by either the employee or VISPO at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with Vermont state law.

Pay: $130,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person