Executive Director

Description

Foothills Forum is expanding its fact-based, in-depth news coverage of the issues that citizens care about in Rappahannock County, Va. We’re a nonpartisan nonprofit created in 2014 to inform citizens through quality journalism and promote community engagement, research and solutions.

In the fast-growing nonprofit news movement, we are a model for bringing community-supported journalism to a rural community. Our reporting projects, undertaken in partnership with the weekly Rappahannock News, have won top Virginia Press Association awards, attracted national attention, and served as a prototype for other organizations interested in bringing nonprofit news to small communities. Foothills Forum is seeking a dynamic executive director to lead the organization, in partnership with a supportive and engaged board of directors. The executive director will work with the board in raising funds, expanding our public presence, thinking strategically and managing overall operations. Now five years in, we seek an executive director who can help us build our institutional infrastructure while we expand our community collaborations and continue to produce first-rate journalism.

Job Duties

Responsibilities The executive director will be responsible for the routine fiscal and administrative operations of the organization, and will serve as one of its leading spokespersons. Specific responsibilities include:

1. Building relationships with community stakeholders and forging partnerships and collaborations with leaders and organizations in Rappahannock County and surrounding areas.
2. Building public presence, including through public speaking and meetings, as well as through news media, social media, written materials and website content.
3. Supporting fundraising, including managing processes, drafting grant applications and working with the board to nurture donors.
4. Organizing and managing events, such as public forums and discussions, board meetings and retreats, and fundraising activities.
5. Supporting the board in administrative, financial reporting, programmatic and other tasks, and assisting in the effort to encourage active participation by board members in Foothills Forum programs and activities.
6. Working with board members, volunteers and journalists to articulate community issues and plan timely and significant journalism projects.
7. Documenting the impact of Foothills Forum journalism activities, including working with journalists and board members to track articles, stimulate public discussion and other developments related to each project category.
8. Mentoring and directing any administrative contractors, fellows and/or interns.

Skills Required

1. Experience working with boards of directors, as well as with community, volunteer and other nonprofit organizations.
2. A background in journalism or public affairs, and/or other knowledge regarding the role, responsibility and standards of news media, is desirable.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including familiarity with digital communication and engagement strategies, and public speaking experience.
4. An ability to collaborate and build partnerships, and to work with diverse groups of people.
5. Experience in managing events and multidisciplinary projects.
6. Candidates must be detail oriented, proactive, highly motivated, adaptable, and passionate about values such as transparency, freedom of speech, and civic engagement.
7. Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Work Schedule

The Foothills Forum office is located in Washington, Va.  While the executive director may often work from home, active and frequent participation in board and local community events is required.

Additional Info

How to Apply Send a resume and brief letter of interest by May 15 to Lindsay Sonnett at: lssonnett@gmail.com