Description
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.
Why this role matters:
As AP News scales its reader donations program, this role will set the vision and strategy for how we turn readers into committed supporters. You will lead a small but growing team of editorial fundraisers, own the program's editorial strategy from end to end, and serve as the senior voice connecting newsroom values to donor motivations. This is a rare opportunity to build something meaningful at one of the world's most trusted news organizations.
This role will report directly to our Senior Director, Loyalty and Growth
What you will do:
Own the voice, messaging and positioning of AP's donor program. This is the core of the role. You will define how AP asks for support — the language we use, the values we lead with and the way we frame AP's mission to readers who are deciding whether to give. You understand that donors aren't motivated by generic appeals; they give because they believe in independent journalism and want to know their gifts are supporting something real. Your job is to make sure every ask — from a site banner to a year-end email — reflects that understanding and feels worthy of the trust readers place in AP.
Develop and steward the editorial frameworks that guide all donor-facing communication. You will build the messaging architecture that the team works from: the core value propositions, the language dos and don'ts, the principles for how we connect breaking news to fundraising without it feeling opportunistic. You will ensure that how AP asks for money is as carefully considered as how AP reports the news.
Lead and develop the donations editorial team. You will manage the Lead Editor for Donor Campaigns and other team members as the program grows, setting editorial standards, providing coaching and ensuring the team produces fundraising content that is urgent, authentic and rooted in AP's journalism.
Own the editorial strategy for donor acquisition and retention. You will define how AP speaks to donors across the full lifecycle — from the first ask to long-term stewardship. In coordination with cross-functional colleagues, you will develop campaign calendars, editorial approaches and impact reporting that deepens loyalty without feeling transactional. Our donors consistently tell us they want to know what their support makes possible — you will build the systems that deliver that. Serve as the senior editorial voice in cross-functional donor program decisions. This role sits in the newsroom but operates across the organization. You will partner with Revenue, Product and Data teams to shape the donor user journey and advocate for editorial integrity in every fundraising touchpoint. When there's a question about how to position a campaign or what language belongs on a donation page, the answer comes from this team.
Represent the donor program in major editorial planning. You will be embedded in coverage planning for major news cycles, ensuring that donation messaging is developed in concert with the journalism. You will help the team capitalize on the moments when AP's role as an independent, non-partisan wire service is most visible and most resonant with readers.
Who you are:
- 7+ years of experience in editorial, digital fundraising, or audience engagement — with at least 2 years in a management or strategy role, ideally in a newsroom or nonprofit media environment
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- A proven track record of building or significantly scaling a reader-revenue or donor program
- Exceptional instincts for fundraising messaging and positioning — you know how to make an ask feel honest, urgent, and aligned with what readers actually value and you can articulate why certain language works and other language doesn't
- Deep understanding of what motivates donors to give to journalism: a belief in the mission, a desire to protect independent institutions, and a need to feel that their support is making a concrete difference
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills and the credibility to influence decisions across editorial, product, and revenue
- Comfort working with data to set goals, track performance, and make strategic decisions — while never losing sight of the human motivations behind the numbers
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to set standards and coach others to meet them; AP style fluency required
- Willingness to work in a 24/7 news environment, including nights and weekends during major coverage moments
Why join us:
- A mission-driven, inclusive environment focused on both individual and collective success.
- Opportunities for professional development to help you reach your career goals.
- Access to tools, mentorship, and resources tailored to elevate your proficiency and contributions.
Salary & Benefits:
The anticipated salary range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000, based on a candidate’s skills, qualifications and location. The Associated Press offers comprehensive benefits, which include:
- Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
- Retirement benefits
- Company paid life insurance
- Paid vacation and sick days
- Paid parental leave for any new parent
- Mental well-being resources
Application deadline is June 11, 2026, at 11:59p.m. ET.
AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in editorial, digital fundraising, or audience engagement — with at least 2 years in a management or strategy role, ideally in a newsroom or nonprofit media environment
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- A proven track record of building or significantly scaling a reader-revenue or donor program
- Exceptional instincts for fundraising messaging and positioning — you know how to make an ask feel honest, urgent, and aligned with what readers actually value and you can articulate why certain language works and other language doesn't
- Deep understanding of what motivates donors to give to journalism: a belief in the mission, a desire to protect independent institutions, and a need to feel that their support is making a concrete difference
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills and the credibility to influence decisions across editorial, product, and revenue
- Comfort working with data to set goals, track performance, and make strategic decisions — while never losing sight of the human motivations behind the numbers
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to set standards and coach others to meet them; AP style fluency required
- Willingness to work in a 24/7 news environment, including nights and weekends during major coverage moments