Chief Operating Officer
The Opportunity
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will join a rapidly growing nonprofit with an established reputation across the local news and journalism sector. This important job will be central to ensuring that this organization succeeds and grows. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide leadership and oversight for day-to-day functions, internal management, and execution of the strategy. The COO will also be a strategic advisor, problem solver, and thought partner to the President.
The COO is responsible for advancing Rebuild Local News' mission through strategic short and long-term planning and oversight of operations. The COO is responsible for overseeing RLN’s operations, fundraising, communications, financials, and programs. The COO will ensure operational processes follow applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, and funding guidelines and contracts.
Why Rebuild Local News?
Rebuild Local News is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to advance public policies to counter the collapse of local news, revitalize community journalism, and strengthen democracy. We run a coalition of 35 different national and state members representing 3,000 newsrooms and develop public policies at the national and local level to confront this democracy-threatening crisis.
The crisis in local news poses a severe threat to democracy and the health of communities. We believe that in addition to improved business models and increased philanthropy, public policy plays a crucial role. We aim to dramatically increase the public support for local news through laws on the federal and state level that help support civically important news while protecting editorial independence.
Our team is deeply connected to our mission and supportive of each other’s goals and overall well-being. We are an entirely remote, distributed team and strive to maintain a healthy, fun, and productive workplace, working alongside smart, energetic colleagues who enjoy one another and the work.
Want to know more? Visit Rebuild Local News’ website at https://www.rebuildlocalnews.org/.
The Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have a combination of these qualities, skills, and experiences. We welcome people of all backgrounds to apply.
Strong Operational Experience
The COO will have demonstrated experience with nonprofit operations with a talent for building and improving processes and systems that are efficient and reliable. They will have demonstrated experience in strategy development and systems integration. The ideal candidate will be a lifelong learner with a passion for designing solutions to look at our operational practices and processes and recommend strategies to meet organizational needs. Experience with journalism and the local news industry preferred.
Strategic and Organizational Skills
The COO should have experience both in strategic plan development and in creating and meeting annual organizational or department goals within a nonprofit organization. The COO will have experience and understanding of managing organizational teams and budgets. They will be familiar with management of multiple funding streams, including individual giving, government programs, contracts for service, and grant support. They will be highly strategic, setting priorities decisively but collaboratively, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring accountability. They will have experience anticipating organizational needs and planning for systems that work together to meet the mission. They will also effectively use technology including Microsoft Office applications, online grant applications, and other software.
Team Connector
The ideal candidate models and leads effective teamwork, ensuring connectivity between departments and strong communication and accountability. This leader removes barriers and helps teams navigate and adapt through changes. The ideal candidate can balance collaboration and efficiency, understanding where input is needed while getting things done. The COO will have a high level of emotional intelligence and demonstrate the ability to quickly build trust and credibility with others, fostering an engaging, creative, and humble team culture. The COO will have an engaging and creative character that can fully leverage the strengths of the whole team towards the mission.
They will be skilled at listening to and learning from others with a deep belief in fostering a transparent, empowered, and productive organizational culture. The COO will recognize the importance of the commitment of staff and will foster an atmosphere of collaboration, partnership, and accountability across the organization.
Effective Communicator and Trusted Partner
All of these skills should be supported by a strong foundation of excellent communication and team building skills. The COO will have the ability to clearly communicate and collaborate with a wide range of people, including Board members, staff, and external partners. They will possess strong listening skills and be solutions-oriented using data, input, and projections to help the organization make sound decisions.
The COO will embody the values and mission of the organization by embracing boldness, intellectual honesty, commitment to equity, and inclusivity. They will develop relationships with the Board, staff, members, and partners so all can belong, contribute, and succeed. The COO will have a collaborative spirit and unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation.
Key qualifications sought in the COO
- Unquestionable personal integrity, fairness, and credibility are necessary to gain the trust and commitment of individuals at all levels of the organization.
- 10+ years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience; advanced knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, financial management, and coordination of people and resources in the nonprofit sector.
- 5+ years of experience helping to lead an organization through substantial growth.
- Understanding of and passion for the mission, journalism, and the local news sector.
- Experience applying and utilizing software and technology to develop creative solutions to effectively solve problems.
- Success working with a non-profit board of directors.
- Cost conscious and problem-solving approach to daily work and oversight of expenditures to include making recommendations for changes to improve reporting to and through the departments or functions.
Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position and starts at $145K+. RLN is also thrilled to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, 120 hours of PTO in the first year, 13 paid holidays, flexible schedule, remote office support, and professional development.
Think you are the new Chief Operating Officer of Rebuild Local News?
To apply, click on the link to the Chief Operating Officer position profile at https://armstrongmcguire.applytojob.com/apply/ruZjXEidEe/Chief-Operating.... You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact [email protected]. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination: Rebuild Local News (RLN) values equity and inclusion, recognizing that a variety of backgrounds and experiences strengthens our ability to create positive change. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that embraces equity and ensures everyone feels valued and heard.
RLN is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.
Rebuild Local News believes in fair, transparent and equitable compensation. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.