Executive Director, New Jersey Civic Information Consortium

About the Consortium

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC) is an independent nonprofit organization that sparks innovative media projects and funds community-driven local news in New Jersey. A first-in-the-nation project, the Consortium builds on the foundation laid by public media in the United States, and reimagines how public funding can be used to address the growing problem of news deserts and misinformation, and support more informed communities.

The Consortium provides grants for projects that achieve the following goals:

• Better meet the information needs the state’s residents, with a particular focus on news deserts and low-income communities and racial and ethnic communities that have been underserved by the media; and
• Improve the quantity and quality of civic information (e.g., arts, sports, culture, community activities, and government meetings) in New Jersey communities;
• Give residents enhanced access to useful government data and public information through innovative applications, platforms, and technologies;
• Train students, professionals, and community members in the practice of community storytelling, journalism, and media production;
• Nurture better civic engagement and dialogue inside and between New Jersey communities;
• Invest in research, training, and practices that can help media outlets become more closely connected to their audiences and more sustainable without government support.

The Consortium, a remote-first workplace headquartered at the Center for Cooperative Media (CCM) at Montclair State University, is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors, which includes representatives of six member universities, six others appointed by State elected officials, and four appointed by the board itself.

Now in its fifth year of grantmaking — with 46 active grantees, more than $8.5 million in grants awarded and with three employees on board — NJCIC is now ready to hire the Consortium’s first executive director.

Reporting to the Board, the executive director will lead the strategic and operational management of NJCIC—from grantmaking to managing its day-to-day activities—in collaboration with the Board through its committees and meeting structures, as well as through more informal channels.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategy, Partnership, and Leadership
• • Lead the the development, execution, and assessment of grants and program strategies consistent with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
  • Develop strong working relationships with board members, university partners, and other key leaders to leverage board and university expertise, and to facilitate NJCIC decision-making.
  • Build and maintain relationships with elected officials at the local, county, and state levels. With leadership and support from the Grants and Communications Manager, promote the history, vision, goals, and work of NJCIC to help secure long-term public and private funding for local news.
  • Regularly share and celebrate compelling grantee stories, ideas, and accomplishments. Identify opportunities to spread the Consortium model in order to support community media beyond New Jersey.
• Stay well-informed about challenges and opportunities among New Jersey’s local media to promote best practices and thought leadership in grantmaking
• Fundraising and Finance
• • Regularly engage and maintain ongoing relationships with legislative leaders, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the Governor’s office, and county and local elected leaders.
  • Act as the organization’s lead fundraising strategist, earning long-term public and private funding for local news. Oversee the development of a fundraising plan, developed and executed in concert with the Development Associate and Grants and Communications Manager, that secures partnerships with local, regional, and national funders as well as individual donors.
  • Ensure strong fiscal and administrative management of NJCIC. Work in partnership with the Board and appropriate outside bookkeeping consultants to monitor the organization’s expenses, identify gaps, make budget recommendations, develop recommendations for administrative and grants budgets, and prepare the annual audit.
  • Provide strategic direction and guidance for Press Forward New Jersey, a fundraising and grantmaking partnership between the Consortium and the Community Foundation of New Jersey chapter, and participate in committees and events of the national Press Forward organization.
  • Ensure all compliance and reporting protocols are met and provide required reports and other information to stakeholders including funding partners. funding partners.
• Program and Team Management
• • Responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization, including supervising a small staff, creating and enacting standard operating procedures, and measuring and ensuring progress on the organization’s strategic goals.
  • Direct and manage the annual grantmaking process, led by the Program Officer, including development of grant guidelines and application procedures, review of recommendations to the Grants Committee, approval of grants by the board, monitoring of approved grants for compliance with grant terms, and review of close-out reports.
  • Foster a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive environment by setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and implementing performance management strategies that promote accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
  • Responsible for managing all personnel matters including annual performance reviews and performance management, hiring, professional development, conflict resolution, compensation recommendations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• 8-10 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, media, public administration, journalism, community development, or a related field.
• Knowledge of the local news and information landscape in New Jersey, or, knowledge of and passion for community-based media
• Demonstrated experience with grant making and fundraising, including securing government funding and large gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience addressing issues associated with equity, and a commitment to centering equity in the Consortium’s operations and external programs and relationships.
• Demonstrated expertise in crafting strategies that integrate policy priorities, public engagement, and organizational goals.
• An understanding of the difference between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, particularly regarding lobbying regulations.
• Proficiency with digital tools and technologies, including the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software, platforms, and systems.

Desired Competencies, Skills, and Abilities:

• A community-oriented and inclusive leadership approach that prioritizes building relationships, seeks to ensure diverse voices are heard, and fosters a culture of belonging and equity.
• Active listener and who is learning-oriented, thoughtful, patient, and collaborative.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver presentations to large and small audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, streamline workflows, and oversee complex projects effectively
• Ability to implement principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• An understanding of the socio-political culture in the state of New Jersey is highly preferred.

Compensation and work environment:

The annual salary for this position is in the range of $120,000 - $140,000, and the position is currently funded for two years, with fully paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance. The Consortium offers 20 days of Paid Vacation Time, 10 days of Paid Sick Time, and 18 Paid Holidays.

The NJCIC Board is committed to working with the incoming Executive Director on securing additional private and state funding that will provide long-term financial stability for the organization.

NJCIC is a remote-first workplace, but currently has office space reserved at the Center for Cooperative Media on Montclair State University’s campus, which provides supplies and other administrative support. The Executive Director is welcome to work remotely, but is expected to reside in or near New Jersey and to attend meetings and events throughout the state as appropriate.