Chief Revenue Officer – Cardinal News
Listed on 2026-06-04
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Management
Program / Project Manager, General Management
This job listing appears to have expired and may be removed soon.
Reports to:Executive Director
Direct Reports:Director of Development, Membership Manager, Sponsorship Managers, Revenue Operations Support (and future revenue staff)
Location:Southwest/Southside Virginia (hybrid with office in Roanoke)
Status:Full-time, exempt
Over the next three years, Cardinal News will execute a regional expansion plan that deepens reporting in Southwest and Southside Virginia while adding new zones of coverage across communities lacking dedicated local journalism. This growth includes expanding the newsroom, launching additional geographic and enterprise beats, and strengthening audience engagement capacity. To sustain this scale, Cardinal News anticipates growing its annual revenue by several million dollars through major gifts, membership, sponsor ships, grants, and new earned revenue lines.
The Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) will be the architect of this financial transformation, building the diversified revenue engine and community-centered partnerships that will power a larger, more regionally rooted newsroom.
The Chief Revenue Officer is Cardinal News’ senior revenue strategist, responsible for leading, integrating, and scaling all earned and contributed revenue streams to support the organization’s ambitious growth in local journalism. The CRO will oversee fundraising, sponsorship, membership, and emerging revenue initiatives, ensuring that Cardinal News has the diversified, sustainable financial model required to expand its newsroom and deepen service to its communities.
This is a newly created leadership role designed to move Cardinal News from strong early-stage growth to long-term financial maturity. The CRO will bring strategic vision, operational rigor, and collaborative leadership, working in close partnership with the Executive Director and editorial leadership while respecting the firewall between revenue and editorial decision-making.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year revenue strategy aligned with Cardinal News’ editorial growth vision and geographic zones.
- Set annual revenue goals across major gifts, membership, grants, sponsor ships, public notices, events, and new products; track performance and adjust strategy as needed.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and revenue reporting in collaboration with the Executive Director and Finance Director.
- Lead, mentor, and manage the development, membership, sponsorship, and revenue operations teams.
- Build systems, workflows, and accountability structures that allow revenue staff to scale efficiently.
- Identify future staffing and infrastructure needs as revenue grows.
- Provide strategic oversight of individual giving, including major gifts, ensuring strong coordination with the Major Gifts Officer.
- Support grant strategy and funder relationships in partnership with the Executive Director.
- Oversee corporate sponsorship strategy, including geographic expansion, product packaging, and event sponsor ships.
- Identify and evaluate new revenue opportunities consistent with Cardinal News’ mission and audience trust.
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, and will align revenue opportunities with audience needs and journalistic priorities.
- Ensure clear, ethical boundaries between revenue generation and editorial decision-making.
- Partner with audience and engagement staff to align growth, retention, and conversion strategies.
- Support the Executive Director and Finance Director in working with the Board on revenue strategy, dashboards, and long-term sustainability planning.
- Represent Cardinal News to funders, partners, and civic leaders as needed.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of senior-level experience in revenue leadership, development, or business operations in nonprofit media, journalism, or mission-driven organizations.
- Demonstrated success managing multiple revenue streams and leading teams.
- Strong strategic planning, financial acumen, and analytical skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration abilities.
- Dee…
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