Searchlight New Mexico, a nonprofit investigative news organization, is looking for an inspiring and innovative Executive Director to take the award-winning five-year old operation to the next level.
As ED, you’ll lead our strategic planning efforts to build a sustainable news organization that will thrive well into the future. You will coordinate the organization’s fundraising efforts across a diverse mix of revenue streams and build the financial, human resources and administrative infrastructure to support growth while cultivating a just and equitable organizational culture.
The position is based in Santa Fe, NM, known for 300 days of sunshine; diversity; a world-renowned arts, food and culture scene; breath-taking landscapes and an abundance of outdoor recreation, including skiing, hiking and mountain biking.
The successful candidate will have a passion for journalism, executive leadership experience, a track record of fundraising for mission-driven organizations and the talent to write extraordinary grant applications. Working with the editorial team, you will maintain relationships with funders and sponsors while protecting the independence of the organization’s news gathering.
Directing Searchlight’s business operations would put you on the forefront of enabling the kind of journalism that holds the powerful to account in a state that suffers from high poverty rates, poor educational outcomes and government corruption that too often goes unchecked. Here is your chance to make a difference.
Responsibilities and priorities
● Work with the organization’s editorial leaders and board to develop a five-year strategic vision. Key is building and managing a fundraising pipeline that includes foundations, major donors, underwriters and corporate sponsors.
● Ensure that diversity is a key part of the organization’s framework and that equity and inclusion are ingrained in the organization’s strategic vision, including when it comes to hiring, retention, compensation and coverage.
● Support editorial leaders and staff in the design, implementation and management of newsroom operations that can produce strong accountability journalism that has an impact.
● Work with the Executive Editor to build innovative news products that will enhance Searchlight’s presence and grow its audience across New Mexico.
● Develop a brand strategy to bring awareness to the organization’s vision and increase its readership.
● Ensure the organization’s day-to-day operations, budget and programs are professionally and efficiently administered, holding the organization to the highest levels of transparency, accountability and consistency; set benchmarks for program spending and delivery without losing a commitment to the journalism mission of the organization.
● Quickly build systems for measuring and evaluating the organization’s and the team’s progress and success; track and disseminate information about impact internally and to funders and partners.
● Build and maintain core administrative functions including HR, Finance, Development and Marketing.
● Manage compliance for all grants and contracts including public and private funders and regulatory bodies.
● Serve as a contact for the organization with its Board of Directors and be evaluated by benchmarks created by the board.
● Partner with the Board to recruit new Board members, including members that reflect the diversity of the populations served.
Who are you?
● You are passionate about investigative journalism and empowering the public with information they need to hold the powerful accountable.
● You have at least five years of executive management experience in nonprofits and/or media, including managing expenses and reporting to and working with a strong board.
● You prioritize and have a track record of building an equitable and inclusive organizational culture.
● You have a familiarity with the business side of a media organization and are familiar with and committed to journalism ethics and working with editorial teams.
● You have a proven track record of fundraising for fast-growing organizations or programs.
● You are a strong communicator and writer and can convey Searchlight’s commitment and passion for accountability journalism to grant funders, donors and the community.
● You inspire those you work with, listen to their ideas and encourage them to be bold, think innovatively and do their best work.
● You care about quality of life, both for you and your staff, and will create an environment that promotes work-life balance while still maintaining the highest possible product.
Compensation and benefits
Compensation commensurate with experience.
We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and state we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities.
Submit your cover letter and resume by Friday, Jan. 28, to susan@searchlightnm.org.
