Business Strategist

GCI's Business Strategist will serve as a strategic, highly trusted individual contributor to the Vice President, operating at the center of decision‑making to connect strategy to execution. Function as a force multiplier, driving clarity, alignment, and operational efficiency by translating priorities into action, managing critical initiatives, and streamlining communication across the organization. Operate with high autonomy to influence outcomes without authority and enable the VP to lead effectively in a fast‑paced, complex environment. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

Strategic Planning, Execution & Alignment

• Partner with the VP to define, prioritize, and execute strategic initiatives that advance organizational objectives.
• Translate leadership priorities into actionable plans, milestones, and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain frameworks, dashboards, and KPIs to track progress, performance, and execution health.
• Drive alignment across technical (CTO) and non‑technical stakeholders to ensure coordinated execution.
• Anticipate risks, identify bottlenecks, and proactively recommend solutions to prevent issues from escalating.
• Maintain a strong bias toward action, execution, and measurable results.

Influence, Coordination & Problem Solving

• Facilitate effective communication between technical and non‑technical teams to enable shared understanding and execution.
• Lead or support steering committees, operational reviews, and leadership meetings, ensuring readiness and follow‑through.
• Build strong cross‑functional relationships to drive collaboration, accountability, and decision velocity.
• Act as a neutral problem solver, navigating complexity and aligning stakeholders toward practical outcomes.

Executive Support & Decision Enablement

• Prepare clear, concise executive materials, including briefs, leadership readouts, board content, and data‑driven recommendations
• Manage and protect the VP’s priorities, ensuring focus on the highest‑impact initiatives and decisions
• Serve as a trusted advisor, providing objective insights, scenario framing, and strategic counsel to support executive decision‑making
• Ensure critical information flows efficiently to and from the VP and leadership team

Organizational Effectiveness & Operational Leadership

• Improve organizational processes, workflows, and communication channels to enhance efficiency and execution discipline.
• Support talent planning, organizational design, and leadership development initiatives as needed.
• Champion a culture of transparency, urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee cross‑functional programs related to network reliability, service delivery, infrastructure upgrades, and process optimization.
• Ensure operational readiness for major launches, outages, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate crisis response efforts and support incident management communications when required.

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
• 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.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence and advise with sound judgment and strategic thinking, building trust and driving alignment toward shared goals.
  • Strong cross‑functional coordination skills, navigating technical and non‑technical stakeholders with ease.
• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
  • Excellent communication with the ability to accurately articulate information to internal and external audiences, handle inquiries and complaints, and communicate effectively at all levels of the company.
  • Skilled at providing clear, impactful communication that aligns stakeholders and drives accountability.
  • Skilled at creating executive briefs, dashboards, and decision materials that support effective leadership choices.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate as a high‑trust advisor to senior leaders, exercising exceptional judgment and discretion in handling employee, business, and proprietary information.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
• 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.
  • Demonstrated executive presence, with the confidence and judgment required to represent senior leadership effectively.
  • Ability to connect strategy to execution, translating executive priorities into clear plans, milestones, and outcomes.
  • Ability to improve processes, workflows, and communication channels to reduce friction and increase efficiency.
  • Strong business acumen, with understanding of organizational goals, tradeoffs, and operating dynamics.
  • Strong capability to prioritize, focus on highest‑impact work, and manage competing demands in fast‑paced environments.
  • Bias toward action and results, with follow‑through discipline and accountability
  • Demonstrated skill in applications, operating systems, and hardware to include security, networking, Internet, and Telephony applications.
  • Ability to multitask in a faced paced environment with successful results.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
• TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.

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.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field. *
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in roles requiring strong business judgment, cross‑functional coordination, and executive interaction. *
  • Including at least three (3) years supporting or partnering closely with senior leaders in an operational, strategic, or execution‑focused capacity.

Preferred: 

• Telecommunications experience.
• Program/Project management, strategy, or consulting experience. 
• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Lean Six Sigma certificate. 
• Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

• This position requires access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• 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. 
• 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 the 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 on 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.