GCI's VP, Operations will be a strategic executive leadership role accountable for driving operational excellence and aligning operations with technological innovation and the broader business objectives of GCI. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer (CTO), this role is central to ensuring that operational functions not only support, but actively advance, the organization's technical capabilities, customer experience, and long-term growth within the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.
Lead enterprise-wide initiatives to enhance performance, streamline processes, manage change, and foster innovation. This includes full leadership of GCI’s technical and field operations—ensuring the seamless delivery of high-quality, reliable services across Alaska’s diverse communities.
Combines deep operational expertise with strategic insight, cross-functional collaboration, and a strong commitment to cultivating a culture of teamwork, accountability, and inclusivity. Hands-on executive with a demonstrated ability to inspire teams, develop talent, and champion initiatives that drive both organizational impact and community advancement—particularly by supporting employment opportunities for Alaskans across the state.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This leadership position requires the following non-delegable responsibilities:
•Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of the team and areas of responsibility.
•Provide strong leadership to span of control (direct and indirect reports); demonstrate effective leadership in all interactions companywide. This leadership includes generating enthusiasm and shared commitment; identifying and setting direction; teaching, growing, and empowering; owning outcomes; and leading by example. Specific leadership duties include:
•Establishing the vision and tone for the department, consistent with company culture and mission.
•Establishing clear, measurable, and achievable goals and performance expectations and following up appropriately.
•Hiring individuals who can accomplish those goals and meet those expectations; providing them the open communication, training, tools, and mentoring needed to be successful and develop professionally; establishing a development path commensurate with capabilities and potential.
•Providing clear and accurate feedback to individuals and teams on a timely and consistent basis. Identifying and addressing performance problems early and effectively before they damage GCI’s interests and demoralize other employees.
•Effectively managing processes including annual performance reviews, compensation adjustments, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions up to and including termination in an unbiased and consistent manner.
Strategic Leadership & Operational Oversight:
•Lead the development and execution of forward-thinking operational strategies that align with the CTO’s technological roadmap and GCI’s long-term business objectives.
•Oversee the full lifecycle of core network operations, including:
+ Cellular Network Management
+ Microwave Network Management
+ Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) Network Management
+ Passive Optical Network (PON) Management
+ Sub-Sea Cable Network Operations
•Direct and optimize supporting operational functions, such as:
+ Network Operations Center (NOC)
+ Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
+ Field Dispatch & Field Operations
+ Cable Rehabilitation Programs
+ Central Office & Facilities Management
+ Incident Command & Emergency Preparedness
•Ensure operational continuity, resilience, and adherence to internal quality standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.
Champion the implementation of best practices, operational standardization, and scalable processes to support service expansion and performance improvements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration, Innovation & Change Management:
•Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Support functions to ensure operations support customer engagement, satisfaction, and revenue generation.
•Collaborate with Engineering, Technology, Infrastructure, and Customer Experience teams to ensure operational strategies align with innovation and service delivery goals.
•Identify, evaluate, and implement innovative tools, platforms, and processes that drive agility and competitive advantage.
Lead organizational change initiatives, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum value delivery through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
Team Leadership, Talent Development & Culture Building:
•Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing, diverse operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, and innovation.
•Implement professional development programs to ensure continuous learning, technical proficiency, and leadership growth.
•Set clear performance goals and provide regular coaching and feedback to drive individual and team success.
•Serve as a cultural ambassador for GCI, promoting collaboration, communication, and a shared sense of purpose.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing employment and career development opportunities for Alaskans across Alaska, reinforcing GCI’s role as an employer of choice.
Customer Experience & Service Excellence:
•Develop and execute initiatives aimed at elevating customer experience through operational excellence and responsiveness.
•Leverage performance data and customer feedback to proactively identify service gaps and implement improvements.
Ensure operational teams are aligned with the organization’s customer-first philosophy and are empowered to deliver exceptional service.
Performance Metrics & Operational Reporting:
•Define, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure operational efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of service.
•Provide timely, data-driven and strategic recommendations to the CTO and executive leadership team
•Conduct regular operational reviews, audits, and process evaluations to drive continuous improvement.
Drive a data-driven culture within operations through regular performance reviews and process audits.
Financial Management & Resource Optimization:
•Develop, manage, and optimize the operations budget to support strategic and financial objectives.
•Analyze cost structures and implement efficiencies to optimize resource allocation and enhance profitability.
Collaborate with Finance and executive leadership on forecasting, capital planning, and cost control measures.
Regulatory Compliance, Risk & Governance:
•Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and industry regulations, safety standards, and internal company policies.
•Proactively adapt to regulatory changes and evolving industry standards through policy and process updates.
•Maintain robust audit and risk management practices across all operational areas.
COMPETENCIES:
•ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
+ Proven ability to lead an organization to high levels of performance while maintaining morale and personal growth for employees.
+ Take the initiative and seek out opportunities.
•BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.
•COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
+ Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with a focus on collaboration and accountability.
•COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
+ Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
+ Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
•COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
•CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
+ Strong commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs.
•RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
•RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
+ Solid financial acumen and experience in budget management.
+ Proven track record of driving operational improvements and managing complex projects.
+ Strong strategic thinking and analytical capabilities.
+ Demonstrated success in aligning operations with strategic technology initiatives and delivering measurable business outcomes.
+ Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities with a keen focus on continuous improvement.
•SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
•CHANGE MANAGEMENT: champions and supports department and company change.
+ Capacity to adapt to changing market dynamics and organizational priorities.
•DECISION MAKING: uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.
+ Demonstrated ability to analyze complex challenging problems and situations leading to optimal solutions.
+ Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
•PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION: analyzes workload and establishes appropriate priorities; sets measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team.
+ Proven ability to lead large teams and manage complex, cross-functional projects in a fast-paced environment.
•MENTORING & DEVELOPMENT: utilizes interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results.
+ Ability to act as a positive mentor and coach to subordinates and instill a coaching environment in the organization.
•PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: sets clear performance expectations for team.
+ Strong leadership and team management skills, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
+ Leadership experience with a collaborative approach to cross-functional teamwork.
Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively, such as using the company intranet and to accurately retrieve and input information into database or equivalent.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required: A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis*
•High School diploma or equivalent.
+ At least five (5) of those years must be in a supervisory or managerial capacity, with direct responsibility for leading teams, managing performance, and driving strategic operational outcomes.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field. Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience in operations management , preferably within telecommunications, technology, infrastructure, or a closely related industry. This background should reflect a consistent progression in responsibility, with demonstrated growth in the scope, complexity, and strategic impact of roles held.*
Preferred:
•Relevant Master’s degree or PhD.
Relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.
DRIVING REQUIREMENTS :
This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:
•Work performed at office, remote office, and client sites.
•Interaction with upset customers, vendors, or employees may occur.
•Position requires regular travel for business and training purposes, including travel during scoping, requirements, development, testing, or business development activities.
•Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
•Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
•Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
•Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
•Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
•This position may require travel to various company locations and sites.
•Flexibility to work outside standard business hours may be necessary to accommodate operational demands.
•Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.
•Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
•Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.
The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to an immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.
Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.
EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.
DISCLAIMER: The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.
Anchorage, AK
Full-time
