General Manager in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin at 8th Fire Communications LLC

Company Overview: At Eighth Fire Communications, we are dedicated to providing reliable, high-speed internet services to the Lac du Flambeau community. As a Tribal broadband provider, we support economic development, digital inclusion, and enhanced connectivity through innovative broadband technology.

Summary/Objective: The General Manager provides overall leadership and operational oversight for Eighth Fire Communications. This position is responsible for managing daily operations, driving subscriber growth, ensuring financial performance, supporting customer satisfaction, and leading staff across all functional areas. The General Manager develops and implements strategic initiatives that align with organizational goals while maintaining operational efficiency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Essential Job Functions
Operational Leadership:
•Oversee day-to-day operations, including customer service, broadband service delivery, technical operations, administration, and business functions.
•Collaborate with technical staff and contractors to support reliable network operations.
•Monitor operational performance indicators, including subscriber growth, customer retention, service reliability, installation timelines, and customer satisfaction.
•Establish and maintain operational policies, procedures, and performance standards.
•Develop contingency and continuity plans to minimize operational disruptions.
•Coordinate infrastructure projects, network expansion initiatives, operational improvements, and long-term business planning.
•Ensure departments operate efficiently and support organizational objectives.
•Represent Eighth Fire Communications in meetings, community events, industry functions, and professional engagements.
•Perform other duties as assigned.

Strategic Planning and Growth:
•Develop and execute strategic plans that support organizational growth, broadband expansion, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
•Identify opportunities to expand services, increase subscriber penetration, improve operations, and strengthen market presence.
•Analyze subscriber, operational, and financial data to support business decisions.
•Support grant applications, reporting requirements, and funding initiatives related to broadband expansion and infrastructure development.
•Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive conditions, and funding opportunities.
•Evaluate opportunities to improve service offerings, customer experience, and operational performance.

Financial Management:
•Manage operational budgets, forecasting, revenue tracking, and cost controls.
•Monitor Profit and Loss performance.
•Evaluate capital investments, infrastructure projects, and vendor contracts.
•Identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining service quality and customer satisfaction.

Customer and Community Relations:
•Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction through effective service delivery and issue resolution.
•Promote broadband awareness and adoption through community outreach and stakeholder engagement.
•Build and maintain relationships with Tribal leadership, customers, vendors, contractors, business partners, and telecommunications providers.
•Serve as an advocate for broadband access and digital inclusion within the community.
•Respond professionally to customer concerns, community issues, and service-related inquiries.

Compliance and Administration:
•Oversee regulatory compliance and ensure adherence to company policies, industry standards, grant requirements, and applicable laws.
•Maintain awareness of federal, state, Tribal, and funding program requirements.
•Ensure compliance with grant, contract, and reporting requirements.
•Maintain accurate operational records and administrative processes.

Supervisory Responsibility:
•Directly supervise employees within customer service, technical operations, sales, and administrative functions.
•Promote accountability, teamwork, communication, and operational performance.
•Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, and employee development.
•Foster a positive workplace culture focused on customer service and continuous improvement.
•Support employee engagement and professional development initiatives.

Other Duties:
This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or activities. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment:
This position operates in office and field environments and routinely uses computers, telecommunications systems, office equipment, and business software applications. Occasional visits to operational facilities, construction sites, broadband infrastructure locations, and community venues may be required.

Physical Demands
•Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and computer use.
•Ability to navigate office spaces, technical facilities, project sites, and community venues.
•Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and in public settings.
•Ability to occasionally lift and move materials up to 15 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time exempt position. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional evening, weekend, and after-hours work may be required based on operational needs.

Travel:
Occasional travel may be required for business meetings, training, conferences, vendor visits, and community engagement activities.

Expectations/Abilities:
•Strong leadership, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
•Ability to balance daily operations with long-term strategic goals.
•Strong financial management, budgeting, and planning abilities.
•Working knowledge of broadband, telecommunications, ISP, utility, technology, or related service operations.
•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
•Commitment to customer service, operational excellence, and community engagement.
•Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound business judgment.

Required Education and Experience
•Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Telecommunications Management, or a related field preferred.
•Minimum three (3) years of leadership or management experience.
•Experience managing business operations, budgets, teams, customer service functions, and organizational performance.
•Two (2) years of experience in broadband, telecommunications, ISP, utility, technology, communications, or related service operations.
•Valid driver's license required.
•Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications
•Knowledge of fiber-optic, fixed wireless, broadband, or telecommunications environments.
•Experience supporting broadband expansion initiatives, infrastructure projects, grant-funded programs, or digital inclusion efforts.
•Experience overseeing customer service, field operations, technical support, or service delivery functions.
•Experience working with Tribal organizations, Tribal enterprises, or rural communities.
•Experience overseeing strategic planning and operational growth initiatives.
•MBA or related advanced degree preferred.

Native American preference will be applied to hiring in accordance with federal law and Tribal policy. Applicants must successfully complete required pre-employment drug screening and may be subject to random testing.