The Director is responsible for overall management of the State Broadband Office and is the liaison from the Executive Branch of the State of Arkansas to all parties relating to broadband policy within the state.

1. Provides policy advice to the Governor, the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, and other members of the Governor’s cabinet and staff on key issues related to deployment of broadband throughout Arkansas.
2. Leads the Agency’s legislative efforts concerning broadband by submitting periodic reports to the legislature, responding to legislative inquiries, attending committee meetings, providing feedback on proposed legislation, and seeking input on new policy initiatives.
3. Develops and oversees an initial 3 year plan to provide broadband access to 110,000 underserved households in Arkansas.
4. Regularly assesses the degree to which Arkansans are adequately served by broadband and updates strategies to reach the underserved.
5. Oversees broadband grant programs to address gaps in broadband coverage.
6. Develops and implements policy initiatives to address affordability of broadband services and to educate Arkansans on the importance of broadband.
7. Serves as the primary liaison from the State of Arkansas with various stakeholders involved in broadband policy, including providers of broadband services, non-profits, cities and counties, educational institutions, and the business community.
8. Provides leadership to the staff and contractors supporting the State Broadband Office and ensures that the office operates effectively and efficiently consistent with its mission.
9. Travels extensively around the state to meet with stakeholders and members of the community.

Provides policy advice to the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and other members of the Governor’s cabinet and staff on key issues related to deployment of broadband throughout Arkansas. Monitors technological developments and legislative and regulatory actions that could impact broadband policy in Arkansas. Serves as Governor’s designated State Broadband Manager.

Leads the Agency’s legislative efforts concerning broadband through submission of periodic reports to the legislature, by responding to legislative inquiries, attending committee meetings, providing feedback on proposed legislation, and seeking input on new policy initiatives. Ensures that legislators are briefed on initiatives and seeks to preserve a collaborative relationship in addressing broadband needs in the state.

Based on key findings in the Arkansas Broadman Master Plan published by Broadband Development Group, along with input from the Governor, Secretary, legislators, broadband providers, and other key stakeholders, develops an initial 3 year plan to provide broadband access to 110,000 underserved households in Arkansas Regularly assesses the degree to which Arkansans are adequately served by broadband and develops strategies to reach the underserved. Maintains databases and maps documenting broadband service in the state and ensures regular updates to take into ongoing deployment of broadband. Monitors broadband coverage maps maintained by the federal government and seeks to correct any coverage errors.

Oversees broadband grant programs to address gaps in broadband coverage. Ensures State Broadband Office staff process grant applications in a timely fashion, validate that applications meet all applicable technological specifications, and monitor broadband project execution to assess compliance with grant program terms. Aligns grant program terms to comply with funding requirements.

Develops and implements policy initiatives to address affordability of broadband services and to educate Arkansans on the importance of broadband. Ensures that programs take into account needs of historically underserved communities and leverages public and private resources to increase inclusion.

Serves as the primary liaison from the State of Arkansas with various stakeholders involved in broadband policy, including legislators, providers of broadband services, non-profits, city and county government leaders, educational institutions, and the business community. Engages with stakeholders in a collaborative fashion to ensure that the state’s broadband initiatives are reflect a consensus, to the greatest extent possible. Identifies and leverages state and national networks and partnerships (both from the public and private sector) that have capabilities related to broadband.

Provides executive leadership to the staff and contractors supporting the State Broadband Office.

The formal education equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, General Business, Business Administration or a related field; plus 10 years executive leadership in business, government, or broadband-related “think-tank” or nonprofit, with at least 6 years experience (i) leading in an information-technology setting, and (ii) developing and leading “matrix” styled teams.

Knowledge of best practices in the operation of an enterprise.
Knowledge of current technology as it relates to the provision of broadband services.
Knowledge of federal and state policy initiatives supporting broadband deployment.
Ability to interpret data sets concerning broadband availability, adoptability, and affordability and develop actionable plans to address deficiencies.
Ability to develop and interpret budgets and financial models related to broadband programs.
Ability to assess emerging technology and its impact on solutions for addressing broadband needs in the state.
Ability to build teams of diverse stakeholders (internal and external to state government) and collaborate toward meeting identified goals.
Ability to formulate and communicate vision and direction and to lead the process of strategic and tactical implementation.
Ability to develop key performance metrics for programs, assess effectiveness, and make adjustments as needed.
Ability to design, negotiate and close multimillion-dollar grant projects.
Ability to lead, mentor, model, coach and reinforce leaders.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to engage in issue advocacy.

Interested applicants should email a resume/CV to Jim Hudson at jhudson@arkansasedc.com.