Why?
The crisis in local news poses a severe threat to democracy and the health of our communities. Rebuild Local News (RLN) believes that in addition to improved business models and increased philanthropy, public policy also plays a crucial role.
RLN develops public policies to strengthen local news—and then works on the state and national level to pass effective legislation. Its pathbreaking “policy menu” helped lead to laws and programs passing in New York, Illinois, and California, worth $225 million over five years. The organization is now working in another dozen states. RLN also runs the Rebuild Local News Coalition, which unites newsrooms, labor unions, and civic organizations committed to revitalizing local journalism. Collectively, the groups in the Coalition represent more than 3,000 newsrooms and thousands of journalists, working together to safeguard the future of local news.
RLN aims 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.
What will you do as Rebuild Local News’ new Director of Campaigns and Partnerships?
Reporting to the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Campaigns and Partnerships will:
- Manage efforts on the federal, state, and local level to pass laws or executive actions
- Manage external lobbyists and other contractors deployed at the state level and with specific content expertise
- Build broad coalitions across the political spectrum at the state level in key states
- Coordinate and work closely with the Rebuild Local News Director of Policy and policy team on federal, state, and local campaign efforts and targeted strategies
- Help drive strategy to create and provide leadership for an affiliated 501(c)(4) organization
- Manage and grow an internal team of full-time staff to meet rising need and demand
Why Rebuild Local News?
RLN is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to advance public policies to counter the collapse of local news, revitalize community journalism, and strengthen democracy.
The RLN team is deeply connected to its mission and supportive of each other’s goals and overall well-being. It is an entirely remote, distributed team and strives 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/.
Key experiences, attributes, and skillsets sought in the Director of Campaigns and Partnerships
QUALITIES & SKILLS
- Superb political and coalition-building skills
- Understanding of local news ecosystems, particularly at the state and local levels
- Ability to organize a vast array of partner organizations, policy makers, elected officials, and individual supporters around a common goal
- Skilled team builder and detailed-oriented project manager, who can execute the program objectives of an ambitious and growing advocacy organization
- Ability to execute high-impact projects in a virtual environment and manage teams remotely across the country and in different time zones
- Nimble, versatile, and strategically minded with tremendous integrity
- Resilient, unflappable, and adaptable to ever-changing circumstances
- Must be willing and available for periodic travel when necessary
- Great sense of humor
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
- At least 10 years leading campaign and advocacy efforts, including several years with state-based advocacy efforts
- Understanding of—and passion for—the importance of local news (some journalism experience is a plus)
- Facility with building bipartisan coalitions
- Experience leading or managing grasstop advocacy campaigns
- Demonstrable track record of forging relationship with elected officials from across the political spectrum
- Experience managing a team
Preferred
- Experience working in or with state legislatures
- Experience managing contract lobbying and communication firms, as well as staff resources
- Professional writing experience either in a journalistic or advocacy capacity
- Public speaking experience including professional panels, press interviews, or public testimony
- Experience working in or with civic groups
- At least three years of experience managing a professional and highly motivated team
- Experience working in a fully remote or hybrid work environment
Think you are the next Director of Campaigns and Partnerships at Rebuild Local News?
To apply, click on the link to the Director of Campaigns and Partnerships position profile at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/jobs/director-of-campaigns-and-partnerships-rebuild-local-news-job-1415/. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter that addresses your interest in both the Director of Campaigns and Partnerships position and in supporting local news, professional resume, and salary requirements.
Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. 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.
Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position and is in the $110,000 - $135,000 range. Rebuild Local News is committed to providing competitive salaries and benefits for its employees. RLN offers generous time off and pays employee premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance plans, and covers most of the cost for eligible dependents for medical insurance. Employees are also offered voluntary enrollment in a full suite of other health coverage options, including disability insurance, life insurance, Health FSA / Dependent Care FSA and more.
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.
RLN 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.
