The client is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the next chapter of an independent, digital-first civic news organization serving a local community. The CEO will preserve the organization’s journalistic credibility and mission while building the business, revenue, culture, and systems needed for long-term sustainability as the organization transitions from a startup phase to an enduring civic institution.
The client CEO will serve as the senior executive, chief fundraiser, and leading external ambassador, with an editorial lead reporting to the CEO to oversee day-to-day newsroom operations and maintain authority over editorial decisions. Key responsibilities include owning revenue strategy and serving as the chief fundraiser by personally cultivating and stewarding major donors and institutional funders while guiding a high-performing revenue team. The CEO will drive a diversified revenue mix across major gifts, foundations, memberships, sponsorships, events, and emerging streams to meet ambitious annual and multi-year targets aligned with the organization’s long-term vision.
The client CEO will advance organizational strategy and financial sustainability through budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls, including balancing restricted and unrestricted funding and planning for changes in the funding environment. The role also involves evaluating opportunities for expansion, partnerships, and new initiatives to strengthen the organization’s position in the community, and making prioritization decisions that balance near-term performance with long-term institutional health and mission integrity. The CEO will develop and coach the senior team, establish clear roles and people practices across editorial and business functions, and foster a culture of trust, collaboration, inclusion, and high performance, including building a constructive relationship with a newly formed reporters union and engaging in good-faith collective bargaining focused on the organization’s people, mission, and long-term health.