Description

Position: CEO, The Daily Memphian
Location: Memphis, Tenn.

Overview
Launched in September 2018, The Daily Memphian is one of the nation’s leading local news organizations, and the must-read, primary daily online publication for the Memphis community. Led by a seasoned team of veteran journalists, The Daily Memphian is not just in Memphis, it is of Memphis. 

With a $6 million annual budget and more than 50 employees, The Daily Memphian is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that’s business-driven. Eighty percent of the organization’s revenue comes from subscriptions, advertising and other earned sources. Philanthropy accounts for 20%, supporting the organization’s free-access programs and the journalism that earned revenue doesn’t cover.

The Daily Memphian is seeking a collaborative, mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to guide its next phase of growth and drive increased business sustainability – a move that has the full support of the original, current CEO, who is shifting to an editor-at-large position. The ideal candidate is a builder and a doer – not a bureaucrat. They’re a listener and collaborator who leads by building relationships and credibility and uniting around a shared purpose. 

This is not a role where one will issue orders from a corner office. The CEO will work shoulder-to-shoulder with a deeply experienced staff to strengthen and expand the Memphian’s vital role in the community.

Requirements

Responsibilities

The Chief Executive Officer will:

• Oversee business operations, development and strategy to ensure The Daily Memphian remains financially strong and mission aligned.
• Define and clearly communicate – both internally and externally – The Daily Memphian’s vision, mission and long-term strategy.
• Ensure decisions align with the organization’s values and mission.
• Build external relationships with local, regional and national partners, funders and civic leaders.
• Deepen The Daily Memphian’s engagement with Memphis — ensuring the organization reflects, serves and listens to the community it covers.
• Encourage innovative approaches to journalism, revenue and community impact while maintaining the organization’s independence and integrity.
• Establish and monitor performance goals and key performance indicators.
• Lead, mentor and support the Daily Memphian’s senior management team.
• Operate self-sufficiently in a lean, entrepreneurial environment that lacks an extensive corporate infrastructure and culture.
• Maintain a healthy and transparent culture and workplace environment.

Requirements

• At least 12 years of professional experience, including at least five in senior management roles.
• Strong business operations and P&L management experience required; CEO experience strongly preferred.
• Able to build trust and respect across staff, board, funders and the Memphis community.
• Strong understanding of organizational management, finance and revenue diversification in a media or nonprofit setting.
• Experience working with complex financial reports and the tools used to manage those documents (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.)
• Background working with paid subscriptions, including pricing, discounting, marketing, etc.
• Eager to become (or excited to be already) a Memphian and professionally invested in the community.
• Brings experience extending beyond traditional corporate media; ideally includes exposure to nonprofit, entrepreneurial or civic leadership.
• Can balance short-term execution and executing a long-term vision.

Personal Attributes / Leadership Style

• You build trust by taking time to understand an organization’s culture, history and people before making significant decisions.
• You’ve gained valuable experience by getting your hands dirty in your jobs.
• You’re used to having to juggle many tasks without a significant support staff to lean on.
• You’re intellectually curious and stay informed about industry trends, risks, and opportunities.
• You set clear personal goals and hold yourself accountable to them.
• You inspire others via authenticity — not corporate jargon.

Reporting & Structure
The CEO reports to The Daily Memphian’s board of directors.

Compensation and Application Instructions
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, reflecting both the scope of the role and The Daily Memphian’s commitment to attracting outstanding leadership.

Interested parties should send a resume and cover letter to ceo@dailymemphian.com.