Publisher & Chief Executive Officer

Embarcadero Media Foundation•Palo Alto, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a unique chance to lead a respected, mission-driven nonprofit news organization based in Palo Alto and consisting of seven community websites, three weekly newspapers and an online regional magazine. Our incoming CEO will inherit a strong, widely acknowledged editorial and public service reputation, a dedicated team, a respected community-based board of directors, a loyal reader base and deep community relationships. The ideal candidate is someone who is passionate about the importance of local journalism to strengthen civic life through quality news coverage, storytelling and community engagement. They understand why it matters that communities have trusted, independent voices covering schools, city and county government, neighborhoods, and all the things that help people live and enjoy the region. They are as comfortable in a community listening session as they are in a board meeting or a grant conversation, and they bring the managerial and leadership experience to run a growing nonprofit organization. They thrive on change and innovation in the rapidly evolving local media ecosystem.

Requirements

Passion for local journalism and a deeply held belief in its role in building informed, engaged, healthy communities
Seven or more years of leadership experience in journalism, media, nonprofit management, public service or a closely related field
Proven ability to build authentic community relationships and translate community engagement into meaningful organizational practice
Strong operational and financial management experience, including budgeting, HR oversight, and board governance
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfort as a public spokesperson and relationship builder
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational values
Current or significant prior residency in San Francisco Bay Area, preferably on the Peninsula

Nice To Haves

Direct experience as a journalist, editor, or newsroom leader, or in a leadership role with a respected nonprofit in our region with a long history of community engagement
Track record of fundraising success, including grant writing, major donor cultivation, and revenue diversification
Familiarity with the nonprofit news ecosystem and the broader local news funding landscape
Experience leading organizational change or growth in a mission-driven setting
Event planning experience
Familiarity with managing or working in a partially unionized organization
Existing relationships in our coverage community or region
Experience with digital audience development, reader revenue models, or membership programs

Responsibilities

Serve as the steward of our editorial mission, working in close partnership with the newsroom leadership to ensure that our journalism remains rigorous and fair.
Uphold and champion the highest standards of journalistic ethics, independence, and quality across all coverage and platforms.
Partner with editorial leadership to develop and evolve coverage priorities that reflect the genuine needs and interests of the communities we serve.
Serve as a visible, credible advocate for the role of local journalism in civic life — in public forums and events, with funders, and across the broader media landscape.
Foster a culture that values accuracy, curiosity, equity, and accountability.
Support editorial experimentation and innovation, including new formats, platforms, and community events and partnerships that extend our reach and deepen engagement.
Lead a process for determining policies regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Build and sustain authentic relationships with residents, civic leaders, community organizations, schools, businesses, and underrepresented communities across our coverage area.
Lead community listening efforts — town halls, neighborhood convenings, reader panels — that ensure our journalism reflects the perspectives of those we serve.
Represent the organization as a trusted civic partner at public events and forums.
Develop strategies to reach and serve audiences that have historically been underrepresented in local news coverage.
Champion accessibility: ensure our journalism and engagement practices meet readers where they are, across platforms, languages, and formats.
Lead, mentor, and support a talented team of journalists, editors, and operations staff, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability.
Establish and uphold operational policies and procedures that help us fulfill our organizational mission and values.
Work closely with the Board of Directors, keeping directors well-informed and engaged, and building strong governance practices.
Oversee day-to-day operations including finance, HR, legal compliance, and technology infrastructure.
Drive strategic planning in partnership with staff and board, setting clear organizational goals and tracking progress against them.
Develop and manage a diversified revenue strategy encompassing advertising, foundation grants, individual donations, major gifts, sponsorships and memberships.
Reimagine our advertising sales and staffing strategy.
Cultivate relationships with foundation program officers, major donors, and civic funders who share our commitment to local journalism as a public good.
Oversee the annual budget process and maintain strong financial controls, reporting regularly to the Board on financial health.
Lead or co-lead grant writing and reporting, with support from development staff.
Identify and build new revenue streams that enhance sustainability without compromising editorial independence.