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Featured listing
Co-executive director
MLK50 is excited to be embarking on a Co-Executive Leadership model. The current executive editor has assumed one co-executive director position effective summer 2024, and the organization is engaging in a national, external search to hire an outstanding leader to work in partnership with her. The successful candidate will bring a flexible mindset and will be open to the potential involved in exploring how to best position both co-executive directors for success, individually and jointly, based on the strengths they bring to the organization.
The co-executive directors will harness the strong foundation that exists to amplify MLK50’s influence, extending its reach to new audiences while deepening the quality and scope of reporting and play an instrumental role in expanding investigative and community journalism, scaling impact, and reaffirming the dedication to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
The current co-executive director will focus on driving editorial and engagement vision. They will set and manage the editorial and engagement budgets, as well as establish and oversee strategic goals in these areas and will manage the entire Editorial department. Additionally, they will spearhead community partnerships, advocacy efforts, and represent MLK50 at high-level editorial, engagement, or journalism industry events.
Meanwhile, the other co-executive director we are hiring for will set and manage the business operations budget as well as establish and oversee strategic goals in these areas, lead sustainability planning, manage financial audits, and ensure legal compliance. They will also
take charge in advancing our fundraising efforts, cultivating foundation partnerships, stewarding donor relationships, and representing MLK50 at business or nonprofit industry public speaking events. They will also manage the development director, chief strategy officer and any future operations and finance roles. This is a unique opportunity for someone to flex both their skills in business operations and fundraising.
Together, the co-executive directors will foster an inclusive organizational culture, striving to create a space where everyone feels empowered to contribute and thrive.
The co-executive director will be expected to perform key duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to:
Strategic Vision & Leadership
- In partnership with the co-executive director, provide visionary leadership to guide the organization through transformative changes, aligning actions with MLK50’s mission and values;
- Inspire and empower staff by fostering a shared sense of purpose, direction, and commitment to advancing justice through journalism;
- Utilize strategic thinking and foresight to chart out MLK50’s next chapter, identifying emerging opportunities and challenges within the journalism landscape;
- Set the tone for an organizational culture of care and integrity; support and foster the development of relationships and trust with MLK50 staff, and of the next generation of leaders in the organization.
Organizational Management
- Think long-term and strategically plan for financial sustainability, forecasting future needs, exploring innovative revenue streams, and spearheading the transition from fiscal sponsorship to independent 501(c)(3) status;
- Ensure systems, processes, and work plans across the organization are aligned to a common vision and that day-to-day operations are set up for maximum impact;
- Develop and manage budgets effectively, allocating resources in alignment with organizational priorities and strategic initiative;
- Foster effective communication and collaboration between editorial and business operations teams, ensuring alignment and synergy.
Development Leadership & External Relationship-Building
- Play a leading role in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across a variety of types of funders, collaborating with the director of development and co-executive director to build donor relationships;
- Collaborate with the co-executive director on overall strategy and goal setting for development, with a particular focus on providing leadership and guidance around relationship-building strategy and approach;
- Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies in partnership with the development director to ensure financial stability and sustainability, aligning with organizational priorities and growth objectives;
- Represent MLK50 externally, serving as a spokesperson and ambassador for the organization with stakeholders, partners, and the public;
- Contribute to the establishment and development of a board of directors for MLK50, identifying and engaging potential board members who align with the organization’s mission, values, and strategic objectives.
Candidate Profile
Strong candidates for the co-executive director position will be energized by the concept of shared leadership and value its benefits and welcome the opportunity to co-lead MLK50, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability necessary for evolving roles within a co-leadership model. Candidates will demonstrate many – though perhaps not all – of the following skills, experiences, and characteristics:
- A deep commitment to the mission of advancing justice and equality through impactful journalism. Prior exposure to working within or adjacent to journalism, media, or social justice organizations is a plus.
- A strong connection to our mission and the Memphis communities. This may be demonstrated by lived experiences shared with the communities the organization aims to amplify, or through personal or professional experience working with similar populations.
- A proven record of success in leadership, with experience building and implementing strategic plans and managing teams; demonstrated leadership in nonprofit organizations.
- A demonstrated ability to manage budgets effectively, including budget planning, allocation of financial resources, and ensuring fiscal responsibility aligned with organizational priorities.
- A skilled relationship-builder, advocate, and networker, with experience representing an organization to donors, partners, and community members. You are a persuasive and engaging communicator who can connect with and inspire a wide range of audiences.
- A strategic thinker who can guide a team from vision to results. You establish appropriate goals and work plans, provide resources to fulfill them, address barriers to success, adapt to change, and sustain positive morale.
- Bring experience in fundraising and/or partnership-building, including success in securing philanthropic gifts and/or partnerships.
- A team-oriented leader and manager, fostering a supportive and cohesive culture that encourages team members’ success and empowers them as leaders. You lead by example to create an environment oriented toward collaboration, trust, ongoing learning and feedback, and work/life balance.
Compensation & Location
The salary range for this position is $125,000 -$140,000. A comprehensive benefits package includes 100% employee health care, dental and vision coverage, professional development stipend, 401K match and generous paid time off. This position is based out of MLK50’s office in Memphis and provides the option for a hybrid schedule.
Contact
Trisha Sutrisno and Shelby Woods of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please submit your materials by filling out the Talent Profile. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
MLK50 is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Who are we looking for?
MLK50 is hiring for the positions listed. Check back here for job descriptions and specifics on how to apply. Questions? Email jobs@mlk50.com
Public safety reporter
We are looking for an experienced public safety and justice reporter who can explore what can, will and does keep Memphians safe. This reporter will track the city’s criminal justice system including the efforts to reform policing after the killing of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers, and the Department of Justice’s recent pattern and practice investigation.
They’ll cover the Shelby County district attorney and examine juvenile incarceration, sentencing, backlogs, mediation attempts and the workings of local jails. Also means digging into police misinformation or “copaganda,” environmental design, and measures residents take to make them feel safe, such as neighborhood watch groups, self-defense classes and mental health techniques.
Success in this role will require a deep understanding of MLK50’s mission and values and strong news judgment. The ideal candidate would have at least five years of full-time reporting experience, should be able to produce two to three stories a month and is good at cultivating community sources, navigating (sometimes hostile) government bureaucracies and handling research.
Find out more about this position and how to apply here.
Managing editor
We’re looking for a managing editor who will have a central responsibility in shepherding the heart of our organization: the journalism. That means they must make a true commitment to changing policies and practices that keep people poor, establishing MLK50 as a trusted community source that people use to hold power to account, and shifting the local news and civic ecosystem in Memphis toward justice.
The ideal candidate will have at least eight years in journalism and four years of managerial experience, ideally managing a team of reporters. They should be knowledgeable about equity and systemic issues, white supremacy and Black history.
Find out more about this position and apply here.
What’s it like to work for MLK50?
Generous vacation time, because self-care.
All MLK50 employees receive 35 days off per year, including vacation, paid holidays and the two weeks that the entire team is off each year.
Stipend for professional development
As an employee, you will be eligible for a $1,000 annual stipend for classes, certifications, books/materials, etc.
Have questions?
Contact us.
Use the details to the right to get ahold of us.