Chief Financial Officer; CFO

Position: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: South Royalton

Defined Talent is partnering with a mission-driven broadband and fiber internet organization serving communities across Vermont. For more than two decades, this organization has been committed to expanding digital access, strengthening community connectivity, and delivering reliable, high-speed internet service throughout a 31-town Telecommunications Utility District.

Built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration, and community impact, the organization continues to grow while maintaining a strong commitment to transparency, operational excellence, and service to the communities it supports.
Overview

Defined Talent is seeking a collaborative, hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on behalf of our client. This individual will serve as both a strategic financial leader and an active contributor within a growing, community-focused organization.

This is not a traditional corporate CFO role. We are looking for a player-coach who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, working alongside the team, solving challenges in real time, and helping build the systems, processes, and financial foundation necessary to support long-term growth and sustainability.

The CFO will partner closely with the executive leadership team, Board of Directors, and staff to ensure financial stewardship, support operational decision-making, and strengthen the organization's ability to serve the communities that rely on its network. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable presenting strategic financial recommendations to the Board as they are reviewing budgets, supporting audits, improving internal processes, and helping teams understand the financial implications of day-to-day decisions.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within an organization that balances community service, infrastructure investment, and innovation while helping shape the future of broadband access across Vermont.
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.

Requirements

• 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,…