Director, Press Forward South Florida Position Available In Miami-Dade, Florida

Director, Press Forward South Florida The Miami Foundation 40 NW 3rd Street, Miami, FL 33128

Description:

THE FOUNDATION

The Miami Foundation builds the philanthropic, civic, and leadership backbone for Greater Miami. Since 1967, the Foundation has invested over $770 million to strengthen our community with partnerships and contributions from more than 1000 fundholders and 35,000 donors. The Miami Foundation, which currently manages over $570 million in assets, mobilizes donors, nonprofits, leaders, and locals to set a bold vision for our community’s future and to invest in a stronger, more equitable, more resilient Greater Miami.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Press Forward South Florida is a new, regional collaborative initiative housed at The Miami Foundation that aims to strengthen South Florida through investments in local media by raising $12 million to invest over the next five years. The goal of Press Forward South Florida is to help catalyze a local news renaissance that will reshape the local news landscape and re-center local journalism as a force for community cohesion, civic participation, and government accountability. Press Forward aims to catalyze innovative solutions to the challenges facing local news, amplify impactful journalism practices, and address the systemic inequities in media coverage and journalistic processes to ensure residents have access to relevant, credible, and trusted information. Press Forward South Florida will invest in a thriving local news ecosystem by: News & Information Ecosystem Assessment

• Leveraging and annually updating a regional media landscape scan to gauge strengths in existing local media and reveal gaps identified by community members. Journalists & Contributors
• Bringing together journalists and community members to listen to their challenges and needs and incorporating that information into our research and approach. Donor Support
• Inviting donors to be a part of a regional fund that will invest in meeting South Florida’s information needs. Grantmaking
• Supporting news outlets and strengthening our local news ecosystem, so that South Floridians have the information they need
• in the format and language they prefer
• to make decisions about their lives.

Department:

Collective Impact FLSA Status:

Exempt Pay Range:

$80,000

• $110,000 Reports to: Vice President of Collective Impact

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Design and execute the successful launch of Press Forward South Florida in partnership with coalition members. Manage external vendor contracts and relationships including with research and communications partners. Work with partners to lead the design, implementation, and adaptation of the Press Forward South Florida strategy, including grantmaking and stakeholder convenings that address the findings of the regional landscape scan. Maintain active and collaborative relationships with peer funders, local media outlets, and other stakeholders. Partner closely with Press Forward South Florida stakeholders to proactively grow the field of philanthropy for local news in South Florida through funder education, stewardship, and support. Develop a communications, reporting, and accountability structure to communicate the purpose of Press Forward for multiple audiences and to report on its progress. Keep abreast of current events, developments, and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking. Develop an enduring Press Forward model for South Florida. Create and manage a Press Forward South Florida Advisory Council made up of key donor partners and community stakeholders to guide the initiative and inform decision making. Identify new opportunities to strengthen the local news ecosystem, analyze their feasibility, present recommendations and lead execution/engagement. Participate actively in the national Press Forward Locals and Knight Communities Network working groups including attending regular online meetings and in person gatherings. Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker or panel participant. Lead and support the Foundation’s evolving civic engagement strategy. This role requires occasional availability outside of office hours for community engagement opportunities as well as transportation across the county for both events and partnership coordination.

Requirements:

Experience, Abilities & Skills 8 to 10 years’ experience working in journalism, media, philanthropy or adjacent fields. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism, business, public policy or a related field. Demonstrated experience with grant making and fundraising, including securing government funding and large gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations. Deep knowledge of the history, evolution, and current state of the journalism sector. A well-developed network of relationships in the South Florida media ecosystem, and a profound understanding, based on “on the ground” experience of the challenges facing local news and information. Comfort and competency with working through adaptive challenges where solutions are not yet developed The ability to strengthen ideas and build momentum by leveraging existing programs/ initiatives, resources, structures and policies. Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking. The ability to collaboratively lead through networking, facilitating, and problem-solving. Strong values alignment to The Miami Foundation, where we prioritize joy, bravery, wellness, equity, togetherness, leadership, and a commitment to the long game. This list of essential functions is not intended to be exhaustive. The Miami Foundation reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements. The Miami Foundation is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. The Miami Foundation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, flex spending and dependent care accounts, professional development stipend, paid time off, cell phone stipend, gym reimbursement and the opportunity to establish a Staff Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), which the Foundation will match when you contribute $500. Please reach out to hr@miamifoundation.org if you need any accommodation in applying.