Executive Director

Executive Director — OpenCape

OpenCape is seeking an Executive Director to lead strategy, growth, and operations for our advanced fiber-optic network and integrated colocation center serving the Cape, Islands, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this role acts as the organization’s most senior officer and public ambassador, advancing our mission to strengthen economic vitality, social outcomes, and public safety through robust, reliable connectivity.

What You’ll Do

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as Chief Executive, accountable for overall performance, mission alignment, and regulatory/grant compliance.
• Build a high-performance, mission-centric culture with clear accountability, innovation, and agility.
• Lead organizational strategy, annual planning, and change management to scale impact.

Business Development & Partnerships

• Expand the broadband customer base, network extensions, and data center utilization.
• Forge strategic partnerships and diversify revenue; negotiate business, financial, and contractual terms with the CFO.

Sales & Marketing

• Guide the VP/Director of Sales & Marketing; set assertive but realistic sales targets.
• Drive a pipeline-first sales approach and incentive-centric compensation aligned to customer outcomes.
• Oversee marketing strategy and communications to strengthen brand and market share.

Network Operations

• Lead the CTO in network planning, maintenance, and operations, ensuring quality, uptime, and expansion.
• Oversee vendor sourcing, project budgeting, negotiation, and quality assurance.

Finance & Governance

• Partner with the Board, CFO, and Finance Committee on fiscal integrity, budgeting, reporting, and audits.
• Execute to plan, meeting or exceeding financial projections and cash objectives.
• Support Board operations as an ex-officio member; maintain strong governance practices.

External & Government Relations

• Act as public spokesperson, cultivating relationships with civic, business, and funding leaders.
• Engage municipal, state, and federal agencies; secure grants and legislative support to advance the mission.

People & Culture

• Appoint and support a CHRO; ensure compliance across HR and employment laws.
• Recruit, coach, and empower a high-performing executive team; clarify responsibilities and decision rights.

Work Location & Schedule

Hybrid within the OpenCape footprint (Cape/Islands/SE MA/RI) with 2–3 days onsite per week. No fully remote option. Occasional 24/7/365 response for service issues may be required, including on-site evaluation when needed.

Physical/Work Environment

Primarily office-based with periodic field visits for construction, service, customer, and community meetings.

Reporting Structure

Reports to the Board Chair. Direct reports include the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and the Vice President of Sales & Marketing (to be hired).

What We Offer

Competitive compensation and benefits aligned to executive responsibility and regional market norms. Details to be confirmed in the hiring process.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest highlighting relevant achievements in telecom/broadband growth, nonprofit or public utility leadership, and board/government relations. Include examples of network expansion, revenue diversification, and organizational scaling.

Must-Have

• Advanced degree (ideally MBA) and 15 years of senior management experience with a track record of scaling outcomes-based organizations.
• Senior leadership experience in technology, telecommunications, or public utility environments.
• Demonstrated success in fiber network construction, maintenance, and financing; understanding of municipal, enterprise, and FTTH planning.
• Proven success with sales leadership, marketing/PR, partnership development, fundraising, and financial management.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors; excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, social media, and digital communications tools.

Nice-to-Have

• Leadership experience in organizations of 12–25 employees.
• Nonprofit leadership experience and success in attracting private, government, and foundation funding.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven leadership style with strong integrity and accountability.