Executive Director, Student Media Organization

DAILY TAR HEEL

Executive Director

The Daily Tar Heel seeks its next great professional leader. TheExecutive Director of DTH Media Corp. develops a strategic plan andoversees the editorial and business operations of the company,working hand in hand with the organization’s student leaders tomanage the day-to-day operations of the DTH while steering theorganization to a sustainable future. 

The Daily Tar Heel has covered the UNC-Chapel Hill community for131 years, training students and serving as a model for journalismexcellence and independent college media sustainability. DTH MediaCorp. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has evolved from a newspaper to amodern media organization, still producing a print product but alsocovering news every day through its digital and socialchannels.

The DTH spent the last few years transforming the way it makesmoney, moving from dependence on print advertising revenue to a mixof print and digital advertising, public support, and revenue fromits 1893 Brand Studio, a marketing services agency. The BrandStudio, like every part of the DTH, is led by and staffed bystudents. The Executive Director manages professional staff to helpguide and support the students, but ultimately allow them to makedecisions.

Our open-office environment is fast-paced and flexible, andhouses The Daily Tar Heel, 1893 Brand Studio and DTH businessoperations. The professional staff work among talented UNC studentsfrom these entities each day and enjoy proximity to UNC’s campusand Franklin Street businesses. 

The Executive Director is asked to do many different things,including but not limited to:

• DeterminingStrategy: Plan for the long-term success of the DTH in away that promotes its core mission, and communicate it to keystakeholder groups.
• ExecutingOperations: The Executive Director must carry out theorganization’s vision and set priorities, determining a budget andmanaging cash flow, running the office day to day, and supervisingthree professional staff members. That also includes projectmanagement, shepherding news and revenue products from ideas toreality.
• Raising Money:Fundraising, including grant writing, is now the largest singlepiece of the DTH revenue puzzle. Fundraising has been a majorgrowth area for the DTH in recent years, and the Executive Directorneeds to maintain existing campaigns while leading the next stageof development.
• Guiding Students:Mentor student journalists, ad sales reps and creative staff.Students should feel the Executive Director is their biggest fanbut someone who will tell them when they fall short and who candirect them to other resources and support systems at theuniversity.
• Building Community:Form new relationships and nurture existing ones with our alumni,important stakeholders in our community and other leaders instudent media. The Executive Director plans events, attendsconferences and community events, and represents DTH Media Corp. inthe public sphere.
• Leading Media: TheDTH is a national leader in student media, and the ExecutiveDirector provides continuity in leadership from year to year, whilestaying on top of industry trends and applying those lessons to theDTH.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experiencein media or equivalent experience in a dynamic profession,including time managing people. Experience managing in a nonprofitorganization is strongly preferred. Familiarity with student media,such as experience as an adviser or previous work at your collegenewspaper, would be helpful. Experience working with collegestudents, either in a teaching or advising capacity, is also aplus. 

We welcome a diversity of backgrounds, so please tell us in yourapplication how your experience can apply to this role at theDTH.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism,business or other relevant fields, or equivalent work/professionalexperience
• Relevant experience managing a teamwith broad operational, revenue and/or fundraisingresponsibilities
• Proven skills in coaching, motivatingand promoting teamwork
• Experience developing and executing afundraising strategy
• Computer literacy/experience withMicrosoft Word, Excel and database management programs

Qualities required

• Ability to articulate and execute thefuture strategy and pathways of a college media organization
• High ethical standards and desire towork with college students
• Strong leadership and listeningskills
• Creative and strategic thinker with awillingness to take calculated risks
• Ability to receive and givefeedback
• Ability to craft solutions quicklybased on needs assessments
• Demonstrated record of success in agoal-oriented, highly accountable environment
• Excellent presentation, publicspeaking and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressureof multiple deadlines and assignments

We’re looking for a person who can get to work right away in ourFranklin Street office in Chapel Hill, N.C. We will acceptapplications until May 30, but will begin interviewing candidatesimmediately. So don’t put it off. 

Salary will be commensurate with experience; there areopportunities for annual bonuses and professional growth. Medicaland dental benefits, parking, six weeks of vacation during studentbreaks and a retirement plan are included.