Chief Executive Officer

Job Description

About EdSource
EdSource is an award-winning, independent, non-profit multimedia journalism
organization dedicated to covering all aspects of education in California, which is home to the largest and most diverse public education system in the United States.

Based in Oakland, and with reporters stationed throughout the state, EdSource works to engage Californians on key education challenges to ensure all students have access to an equitable and quality education in California and beyond. EdSource informs the public and holds people in power accountable by publishing enterprise  reporting,investigative stories, and comprehensive data journalism in a number of formats, including articles, newsletters, podcasts, short-form videos, documentaries, and live roundtable discussions. As a nonprofit journalism organization, EdSource   
other media outlets to co-publish stories and link to its reporting, amplifying the reach of this work to a broader audience.

Founded in 1977 as an independent education research and policy organization,
EdSource has evolved over the years. Today it is widely regarded as the pre-eminent
source of rigorous education reporting in California. The EdSource newsroom is
comprised of a diverse, award-winning and highly respected team of journalists who
together comprise the largest education reporting staff in California. The expertise of
EdSource’s staff of reporters, engagement managers, and data experts is strengthened by a statewide Board of Directors made up of distinguished leaders from diverse education and journalism constituencies.

For more information on EdSource, please visit https://edsource.org/.

The Opportunity
EdSource is seeking an outstanding, mission-driven leader with a passion for education and public service journalism to serve as its next CEO. EdSource seeks a full-time California-based CEO with experience in media to manage both editorial and business functions of its award-winning news organization.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will lead a newsroom and business
operation of 25, including a senior leadership team comprised of the Managing Editor,
Investigations & Projects Editor, K-12 Editor, Director of Communications &
Partnerships, Director of Development, Director of Operations and Editor-at-Large. Most of the staff works remotely, including some who are based in various locations around the state.

The CEO will have the opportunity to lead a highly respected, forward-looking local
media organization with a rich history, a devoted readership, and a deep commitment to independent journalism that expands educational quality, equity, and accountability in California and beyond. The next leader will embrace the chance to serve wider
audiences and to ensure EdSource remains a highly relevant, respected, and
sustainable education news outlet in an ever-changing media environment.

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities:
 Serves as Chief Executive Officer of EdSource, overseeing both the editorial and
business sides of the operation.
 Provides and maintains strategic focus for the organization, identifying and
implementing strategic initiatives that deliver against EdSource’s goals and
mission.
 With oversight from the Board, sets annual strategic, financial, and impact
objectives; the Board is not involved with editorial planning or content.
 Sets annual budgets and manages the financial aspects of the organization,
including expenses, revenues and investments, as a skilled and trusted financial
steward for long-term sustainability.
 Leads fundraising efforts, including prospecting and securing a diverse base of
new donors while effectively stewarding and supporting existing relationships.
 Provides organizational and operational clarity, including alignment of staff roles,
systems, and processes to maximize impact and effective workflows.
 Serves as an ambassador for the organization and its mission and, where
appropriate, as spokesperson for EdSource at key gatherings and events.
 Ensures full and fair coverage of the diverse and multifaceted education
landscape in California, encouraging a diversity of perspectives and voices in
EdSource’s coverage, and adherence to the highest journalistic and ethical
standards.
 Recruits, develops, and retains a highly talented and diverse team at all levels of
EdSource and be a driving force in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.
 Ensures all EdSource employees are collaborating with a unified sense of
purpose, accountability, transparency, and excellence, retaining and growing the
very best talent at all levels of the organization.
 Cultivates a climate of continuous learning and professional development,
recognizing EdSource’s ongoing commitment to training talented young and
emerging journalists.
 Builds successful relationships with external partnerships and editorially
appropriate collaborators including with other news outlets and journalism
associations.
 Stays abreast of broader trends and developments in media and, where
appropriate, adopts proven new business approaches, platforms and methods of
storytelling.

Candidate Profile
While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description,
ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

A Strategic, Visionary Leader
 An accomplished strategic thinker and innovator who can articulate a clear,
compelling, and unifying vision for EdSource that engages and inspires a diverse
array of stakeholders;
 Works collaboratively to develop, refine, and implement effective strategic plans
as well as the ability to operationalize those plans to drive success;
 Provides strategic focus so that all members of the EdSource team are clear
about key goals and objectives and ensure that the necessary resources are
aligned to deliver impact;
 Embraces the creative process and allows others to try new approaches in a spirit
of innovation while also establishing clear benchmarks for success and the ability
to pivot when circumstances dictate;
 Exhibits a natural curiosity and a learning mindset, always seeking to better
understand the complex and emerging education landscape.

An Experienced Builder of Inclusive Teams & Positive Cultures
 A natural teambuilder and uniter, someone who is adept at building and
strengthening organizational relationships across a diverse array of teams,
cultures, and orientations;
 A transparent communicator who actively informs staff and engages internal and
external stakeholders in the mission, vision and status of the organization;
 A leader with a passion for recruiting, hiring, and retaining outstanding talent,
including creating pathways that encourage continuous learning and professional
development among staff;
 A culturally fluent leader with a demonstrated commitment to, and a track record
of accomplishment in, advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
 Embraces and encourages reporting and content creation that authentically
represents and elevates a multiplicity of voices in the communities EdSource
serves;
 A leader who inspires the team to achieve excellence, celebrates
accomplishments, and ensures an equitable and accountable workplace for all.

An Experienced Leader with a Passion for EdSource’s Mission & Strong
Knowledge of Journalism and Education
 Fully embraces the work and mission of producing outstanding journalism that
connects, informs, and inspires the many diverse people who engage the
educational system in California and beyond;
 Serves as a standard bearer for high-quality, trusted, independent journalism –
and the essential role it plays in strengthening civic life – and educational quality;
 Demonstrates an understanding of education related topics and a natural curiosity
about the latest trends and developments in the field;
 Demonstrates a keen understanding of the highly dynamic media and journalism
landscape, and the ability to leverage digital technologies effectively in rapidly
changing times;
 Committed to journalism that holds power to account and deepens understanding
across communities in a climate of growing polarization;
 Dedicated to creating the conditions, including upholding the ethical standards
and editorial firewalls, that enable rigorous reporting to thrive and public trust to
flourish.

An Outstanding Fundraiser & Ambassador
 Demonstrates skill and sophistication in successfully growing and diversifying
funding from a variety of philanthropic sources, including foundations and
individual donors;
 Experienced and effective in all aspects of executive level fundraising from
relationship building to gift solicitation to stewardship of current and prospective
donors;
 Develops long-term relationships with external partners, funders, and
collaborators across California;
 Communicates the organization’s mission, vision, and strategy in an authentic and
compelling way that inspires others and builds trust;
 Serves as an effective and engaging spokesperson and public representative for
EdSource’s work across a broad range of constituencies, including media.
Skilled Operational Leadership & Business Acumen
 Demonstrates strong business acumen and a track record of managing and
growing successful teams;
 Balances “big picture” strategic guidance with the ability to execute and
operationalize plans;
 Provides excellent operational and financial leadership with demonstrated
experience in resource development, fundraising, budget, and P&L management;
 Ensures the necessary operational and administrative structures, workflows and
roles are in place so that the organization functions effectively and ethically in
pursuit of its journalism;
 Delegates effectively, leveraging the professional expertise of the team while also
creating clear timelines and areas of responsibilities to ensure alignment,
accountability, and outstanding execution.
 

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