CEO, Non-Profit & Social Impact

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Illinois Times, a trusted, 50-year-old weekly newspaper serving Springfield, Illinois, and the surrounding region, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead its next chapter as it transitions from a for-profit business to a nonprofit news organization. This is a rare opportunity to guide one of Illinois’ most established local news outlets into a new era of sustainability and public service journalism.

The ideal candidate will be a mission-driven, entrepreneurial leader who believes in the essential role of independent journalism in strengthening communities and democracy. They will bring strong operational, financial, and fundraising expertise, a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a collaborative leadership style that values transparency and teamwork.

Unlike a start-up, Illinois Times is a well-established publication with a loyal readership, a seasoned staff, and a strong community presence. The incoming CEO will not be tasked with building an organization from the ground up, but rather with leading its continued growth and transformation — building on a solid foundation to ensure its long‑term financial and operational sustainability as a nonprofit.

This position reports to the Illinois Times board of directors and will receive initial operational support from the American Journalism Project. The expected salary range for this position is $125,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience. The organization aims to fill the role in the first quarter of 2026.

• Oversee all aspects of Illinois Times’ business and administrative operations, ensuring financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and compliance with nonprofit best practices.
• Build and strengthen systems for financial management, human resources, technology, and administration to support growth and organizational health.
• Lead, inspire, and support a talented team, fostering a culture of collaboration, equity, transparency, and accountability.
• Maintain the organization’s commitment to editorial independence while ensuring operational alignment with its public‑service mission.

• Serve as the organization’s chief fundraiser and ambassador, leading efforts to diversify and grow revenue streams — including philanthropy, membership, sponsorship, advertising, and events.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, and local and regional partners to secure long‑term financial support.
• Partner with the board of directors and the American Journalism Project to implement a sustainable, diversified fundraising strategy that balances mission and revenue needs.
• Build a development team capable of managing multi‑channel fundraising and donor stewardship.

• Collaborate with the board of directors to set strategic priorities and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and community service goals.
• Oversee financial planning and budgeting to ensure the organization’s fiscal health, transparency, and accountability.
• Support efficient allocation of resources across editorial, business, and community engagement functions.
• Build financial models to guide responsible growth and expansion, including potential new initiatives or partnerships.

• Represent Illinois Times to the greater Springfield area’s community, funders, media partners, and civic leaders as a visible, credible, and trusted advocate for local news.
• Deepen the organization’s connections with the diverse communities it serves, ensuring coverage reflects their perspectives and priorities.
• Partner with local institutions, community organizations, and media collaborators to strengthen local information ecosystems.
• Champion the organization’s values of independence, inclusivity, and accountability in all external communications and partnerships.

• Serve as the primary liaison to the board of directors, ensuring clear communication, transparency, and collaboration on key initiatives.
• Provide timely updates on organizational performance, finances, and fundraising progress.
• Work with the…