Now Hiring: Associate Director at the NC Local News Lab Fund
In the last 5 years, the North Carolina Local News Lab Fund has made transformational impact in our state’s news and information ecosystem. To date, we’ve invested more than $4 million in 48 organizations and counting. We’ve also mobilized additional philanthropic resources to support our mission and network, weaved statewide networks through convenings and matchmaking, and provided advice and counsel to a broad array of organizations and leaders who make up the philanthropic news and information landscape - and we’re only continuing to grow.
At this pivotal moment, the Fund is expanding its leadership team and is seeking applications for an Associate Director. Working alongside the Fund’s Director, Lizzy Hazeltine, the Associate Director will lead and scale the Fund’s network weaving and capacity strengthening functions. The Associate Director will also manage key operational functions and liaise closely with the Fund’s fiscal sponsor, NEO Philanthropy.
Core Responsibilities
As one of two full-time members of the Fund’s staff, the Associate Director will play an essential role in advancing the Fund’s mission and helping to translate that mission into concrete strategies and tactics. The Associate Director will hold the following responsibilities:
Network Weaving & Capacity Strengthening
Tend and nurture the network of the Fund’s grantee partners by anticipating and responding to their needs.
Co-design thoughtful capacity strengthening supports to advance the organizational effectiveness of grantee partners.
Convene and connect grantee and ecosystem partners to share knowledge, align efforts, and strengthen relationships.
Strategy
Partner with the Director to ensure the rigor, efficacy, and pragmatism of the Fund's ongoing work.
Bring emergent learning from the field to the Fund’s Advisory Board and other stakeholders for shared meaning-making and planning.
Assist the Director in sharing the Fund's vision, mission and theory of change to the field in-person and online.
Grantmaking & Grants Management
Participate in and support the Fund’s participatory grant selection process.
Help to steward grant reporting, lifting up key insights and data from the portfolio's work to strengthen future grantmaking.
Support the ongoing refinement of the Fund’s grantmaking process to ensure it reflects trust-based and equitable philanthropic practice.
Operations & Organizational Effectiveness
Co-create processes and structures to support the Fund’s effectiveness across its operational, financial management and reporting functions.
Partner closely with NEO Philanthropy to ensure timely execution of financial and administrative functions, in service to grantee, funder, vendor and other stakeholder needs.
Contribute to identifying and securing funding for the Fund as well as maintaining existing funder relationships.
Key Qualifications
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
Demonstrated commitment to DEI and creating equitable structures that center community voice and perspectives.
Entrepreneurial and expansive thinker.
Highly relational and understands how to build trusted and mutually accountable partnerships.
Systems thinker, who understands the disruptive potential of philanthropy.
Strong project manager, who can toggle across multiple projects.
Deep understanding of the operational and capacity needs of community-based organizations.
Interest or experience in the news and information landscape.
Effective and confident communicator, both written and oral.
Strong learning orientation, with background experience in program evaluation and continuous improvement.
Multi-lingual (Spanish preferred)
Location & Travel
There is no physical office and this position is remote, but must be based in North Carolina. Access to a vehicle is required and will travel for in-person meetings up to 20% in state and 5% out of state.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $85,000-90,000, plus medical, dental and vision insurance coverage.
To Apply
This search is being led by Emily Wexler of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.
The priority deadline to apply is September 11, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.
Questions about this role and/or the goals of the Fund as we continue to expand? Join an open Q&A session with Lizzy to learn more.
The Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.