CEO/Publisher

This is a unique chance to lead a respected, mission-driven nonprofit news organization based in Palo Alto, CA and consisting of seven community websites, three weekly newspapers and an online regional magazine. Our incoming CEO will inherit a strong, widely acknowledged editorial and public service reputation, a dedicated team, a respected community-based board of directors, a loyal reader base and deep community relationships.

The ideal candidate is someone who is passionate about the importance of local journalism to strengthen civic life through quality news coverage, storytelling and community engagement. They understand why it matters that communities have trusted, independent voices covering schools, city and county government, neighborhoods, and all the things that help people live and enjoy the region. They are as comfortable in a community listening session as they are in a board meeting or a grant conversation, and they bring the managerial and leadership experience to run a growing nonprofit organization. They thrive on change and innovation in the rapidly evolving local media ecosystem.

Key ResponsibilitiesEditorial Vision & Journalistic IntegrityOur CEO serves as the steward of our editorial mission, working in close partnership with the newsroom leadership to ensure that our journalism remains rigorous and fair.

Uphold and champion the highest standards of journalistic ethics, independence, and quality across all coverage and platformsPartner with editorial leadership to develop and evolve coverage priorities that reflect the genuine needs and interests of the communities we serveServe as a visible, credible advocate for the role of local journalism in civic life — in public forums and events, with funders, and across the broader media landscapeFoster a culture that values accuracy, curiosity, equity, and accountabilitySupport editorial experimentation and innovation, including new formats, platforms, and community events and partnerships that extend our reach and deepen engagementLead a process for determining policies regarding the use of Artificial IntelligenceCommunity Engagement & Relationship BuildingMore than anything, we are looking for a leader who sees community engagement and events not as a marketing function, but as core to our journalism and mission.

Build and sustain authentic relationships with residents, civic leaders, community organizations, schools, businesses, and underrepresented communities across our coverage areaLead community listening efforts — town halls, neighborhood convenings, reader panels — that ensure our journalism reflects the perspectives of those we serveRepresent the organization as a trusted civic partner at public events and forumsDevelop strategies to reach and serve audiences that have historically been underrepresented in local news coverageChampion accessibility: ensure our journalism and engagement practices meet readers where they are, across platforms, languages, and formatsOrganizational Leadership & OperationsThe CEO provides steady, values-driven leadership across all organizational functions, creating conditions for the team to do its best work.

Lead, mentor, and support a talented team of journalists, editors, and operations staff, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and accountabilityEstablish and uphold operational policies and procedures that help us fulfill our organizational mission and valuesWork closely with the Board of Directors, keeping directors well-informed and engaged, and building strong governance practicesOversee day-to-day operations including finance, HR, legal compliance, and technology infrastructureDrive strategic planning in partnership with staff and board, setting clear organizational goals and tracking progress against themRevenue Development & Financial StewardshipFinancial sustainability is essential to our independence. The CEO leads a diversified revenue strategy that keeps our journalism free and our organization strong.

Develop and manage a diversified revenue strategy encompassing advertising, foundation grants, individual donations, major gifts, sponsorships and membershipsReimagine our advertising sales and staffing strategyCultivate relationships with foundation program officers, major donors, and civic funders who share our commitment to local journalism as a public goodOversee the annual budget process and maintain strong financial controls, reporting regularly to the Board on financial healthLead or co-lead grant writing and reporting, with support from development staffIdentify and build new revenue streams that enhance sustainability without compromising editorial independenceRequired QualificationsPassion for local journalism and a deeply held belief in its role in building informed, engaged, healthy communitiesSeven or more years of leadership experience in journalism, media, nonprofit management, public service or a closely related fieldProven ability to build authentic community relationships and translate community engagement into meaningful organizational practiceStrong operational and financial management experience, including budgeting, HR oversight, and board governanceExcellent written and verbal communication skills; comfort as a public spokesperson and relationship builderDemonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational valuesCurrent or significant prior residency in San Francisco Bay Area, preferably on the PeninsulaPreferred QualificationsDirect experience as a journalist, editor, or newsroom leader, or in a leadership role with a respected nonprofit in our region with a long history of community engagementTrack record of fundraising success, including grant writing, major donor cultivation, and revenue diversificationFamiliarity with the nonprofit news ecosystem and the broader local news funding landscapeExperience leading organizational change or growth in a mission-driven settingEvent planning experienceFamiliarity with managing or working in a partially unionized organizationExisting relationships in our coverage community or regionExperience with digital audience development, reader revenue models, or membership programsPersonal AttributesBeyond credentials, we are looking for someone who:

Leads with curiosity and humility, listening as much as they speakBrings optimism, resilience and a sense of urgency to the challenges facing local journalismEarns trust — with staff, with readers, with funders, and with the community — through consistency, transparency, and integrityThinks strategically but acts pragmatically, comfortable moving between big-picture vision and day-to-day problem solvingCares deeply about creating conditions where everyone on the team can do their best workAbout UsEmbarcadero Media has spent the last 47 years doing what local journalism does best: telling the stories that hold institutions accountable, surface what is overlooked, and help neighbors understand the place they call home.

Our three newspapers and their associated websites (Palo Alto Weekly/Palo Alto Online, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac (covering the communities of Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside and Atherton)), four additional community websites (Redwood City Pulse, Mountain View Voice, Livermore Vine and Danville-San Ramon.com) and a regional online magazine (The Six Fifty) are the leading sources for local news and information in their communities.

Our newspapers and websites have won numerous awards at the regional, state and national level and the Palo Alto Weekly was the first newspaper in the United States to publish on the web, in early 1994.In 2024, our organization converted to nonprofit and currently has a budget of $5 million, of which more than 40% now comes from memberships, donations and foundations. Our websites operate with paywalls, but we are currently launching a fundraising campaign to remove them at the end of the year so our news will be free to all. We are also nearing completion of a collective bargaining agreement with our editorial and production employees.

Our primary office is in Palo Alto and our staff of approximately 45 has a hybrid in-office/remote work schedule with most local employees typically in the office at least two days a week.

Compensation & BenefitsWe offer a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including:

Annual salary range: $150,000-$180,000Comprehensive health and dental insuranceGenerous paid time off and paid holidaysProfessional development support and conference attendancePosition is based at our Palo Alto office; flexibility exists for some remote work-from-homeHow to ApplyTo apply, please submit the following materials to our search committee at ceosearch@embarcaderomedia.orgA cover letter (no more than two pages) describing your connection to local journalism, your vision for community-centered news, and what draws you to this roleA current resumeTwo or three representative work samples — writing, strategy documents, or other materials that reflect your leadership and valuesContact information for three professional references (references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge)Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submission. We are committed to a transparent and timely process and will acknowledge receipt of all applications.