Position Announcement: Executive Director

The Center for Media and Democracy, an independent, nonprofit public interest organization located in Madison, Wisconsin, is seeking an inspired Executive Director to oversee, manage and grow the organization. CMD's primary mission is promoting transparency and an informed debate by exposing corporate spin and government propaganda, and by engaging the public in collaborative, accurate and fair online reporting.

The Organization

Founded in 1993, CMD is an international leader in investigative online reporting and citizen journalism as well as innovative uses of the Internet including its high-traffic collaborative wiki site, www.SourceWatch.org. CMD also offers original reporting by CMD staff on www.PRWatch.org and is engaged in a growing number of online partnerships inside its SourceWatch website including www.COP15wiki.org, www.coalSwarm.org, www.FrontGroups.org, www.TobaccoWiki.org and www.GlobalCorpForum.org. CMD is on the cutting edge of online public interest journalism. It produces the Weekly Radio Spin and has published six books including Trust Us, We’re Experts and Toxic Sludge is Good for You! It enjoys unique partnerships with other non-profit organizations and citizen initiatives. The annual budget is approaching one million dollars.

CMD currently employs nine people based in Madison and elsewhere, primarily researchers, writers and IT specialists. Madison is an attractive state capital and university city of 250,000 people with a progressive reputation.

For further information about the Center for Media and Democracy, visit www.prwatch.org.

The Position

The Executive Director will continue the work of CMD's committed and entrepreneurial founder, John Stauber, who is leaving after sixteen years to pursue new projects. S/he will have a strong commitment to public interest activism and a proven record of success in fundraising. The Executive Director's most important attribute will be the ability to grow CMD by increasing foundation grants and individual donations. (CMD does not accept grants from corporations, labor unions or government agencies.) S/he will understand the world of public interest social change and envision how CMD can better contribute to key issues of human rights, citizen empowerment, social and economic justice, ecological sustainability, and political and corporate accountability.

Responsibilities

• Leading the organization in proactive strategic planning.
• Preparing and executing an ongoing fundraising plan with the participation and support of development staff and the Board. The Executive Director will be responsible to raise more than one million dollars, increasing each year, from foundations and major donors.
• Reporting to and assisting the Board of Directors in carrying out the governance function.
• Working with the existing Board members to facilitate and increase their level of participation and to add new members.
• Growing and expanding collaborative online reporting and activism partnerships with NGOs and foundations.
• Overseeing and conducting research, cultivation, administrative and reporting work connected with grants.
• Representing CMD in the larger non-profit, advocacy, and philanthropy communities, and with the news media.
• Identifying future program directions, new opportunities, and innovative strategies to serve CMD's mission.
• Managing the operations of the organization.
• Hiring, directing, and evaluating all employees and consultants. Supporting the professional development of staff.
• Traveling as necessary (up to 15% of time) to meet with partners and funders.

Qualifications and Characteristics Desired

• Passion for the mission of CMD;
• An understanding of and a progressive critique of the forces that shape news media.
• Proven hands-on success in attracting individual and foundation donors to commit significant resources to a successful nonprofit organization or project is required.
• Expertise and experience in creating and implementing development plans and in proposal writing and overseeing foundation reporting;
• An understanding of progressive social change movements, public interest journalism and the nonprofit sector;
• Ability to offer visionary leadership through long-range strategic planning that builds upon CMD's existing programs and mission while adapting to new challenges and opportunities;
• Experience working with and developing a board of directors;
• Strong people skills;
• Outstanding writing, public speaking and media interaction skills;
• A basic understanding of the importance of new media including web activism, social networking and Web 2.0;
• An upbeat disposition and ability to manage and maintain a professional yet fun work environment;
• Experience in managing staff and knowledge of human resources practices;
• Residence in or ability to relocate to the Madison, Wisconsin area is required.

The Center for Media and Democracy is an equal opportunity employer that considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status.

To Apply

Please send cover letter, résumé and salary history to:

Egmont Associates
85 East India Row #24F
Boston, MA 02110
Word attachments only please. No need to apply by multiple media.