Executive Director

Career OpportunityNCHealth News (NCHN), a non-profit online-onlypublication recognized for high-quality reporting, seeks a visionary andstrategic leader to serve as its next Executive Director. The ideal candidatewill guide the organization in delivering rigorous, impactful health journalismand advancing its long-term strategic vision for informing and improving publichealth statewide.

Mission:

NC Health News is an independent, statewide newsorganization dedicated to covering health care in North Carolina employing thehighest journalistic standards of fairness, accuracy, and extensive research.

NCHN was founded in response to the decrease in health reporters around thestate. NCHN believes that to make the best decisions about the state's healthcare system, the citizens of North Carolina need the best information possible.

NCHN seeks to become the premiere source for health reporting in NorthCarolina.

ReportingStructure:

The Executive Director reports to a Board of Directors and leads a team of 13.

Budget:

2026 fiscal year budget of$823,000

Salary:

The salary is commensuratewith experience and begins in the $90,000 range. Benefits include 100% medical,dental and vision insurance,three weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays and a 3% retirement match.

WorkingEnvironment/Location:

Mostly remote with moderate travel/Must live in NCKeyResponsibilities of the Executive DirectorThe Executive Director provides visionaryleadership and strategic oversight, driving the organization's mission byensuring editorial excellence, financial sustainability, and operationaleffectiveness, while building strong relationships with funders, partners, andthe community. This role has a direct impact on shaping public healthdiscourse, expanding the outlet'sreach, and empowering communities through trusted,high-quality reporting. The next Executive Director will pilot and coordinateefforts to truly scale statewide and achieve financial and operationalsustainability by building NCHN's distribution syndication, strengtheningreader engagement, increasing revenue, and formulating a longer-term businessstrategy. Leadership, Strategy& Board Engagement

• The Executive Director works with fourdirect reports, including the Editor-in-Chief, to guide the organization indelivering rigorous, impactful health journalism and advancing its long-termstrategic vision for informing and improving public health statewide
• Putstrategic goals into action by aligning people, resources, and partnershipsaround the mission
• Foster a culture of journalistic integrity, innovation, inclusion,and accountability
• Champion the organization's work in the public sphere, ensuringclear, compelling representation across community, media, and stakeholder group
• Partner with the Editor-in-Chief and the Board of Directors to strengthen governance, support boardrecruitment, and enhance overall board effectiveness
• Serve as an advocate for the newsroom's missionto funders, partners, and the broader communityRevenue Generation
• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual comprehensive revenue generation strategy, includingfundraising segments: sponsorships, partnerships, foundations, individuals and major gifts, grants, andevents
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, funders, andcommunity stakeholders
• Serve as the organization's chief fundraiser, ensuring meaningfulgrowth through hands-on engagement with key supporters
• Supervise contract support for selling ads and sponsorships
• Design and manage revenue generation and development operationalcalendar, ensuring timely and impactful organizational effortsFinancial Management
• Lead and manage financial planning, budgeting, and reporting tosupport long-term sustainability, partnering with Board and Editor-in-chief
• Align financial decisions with strategic priorities, balancingshort-term needs with long-term stability
• Ensureresponsible, transparent financial oversight and strong fiscal controls,including monitoring cash flow, expenses, and revenue targets
• PrepareNC Health News for annual audits
• Work closely with external bookkeeper and accountant to ensureaccurate bookkeeping, audits, and compliance
• Oversee invoice and expense management, banking operations, andQuickBooks data entry and reporting
• Report regularly to the board on financial health, risks, andopportunities, working with a bookkeeper and accountant to craft digestible andaccurate financial reportsPeople &Operations Management
• Develop staffing strategies to recruit, develop, and retain ahigh-performing team
• Collaborate with the Editor-in-chief to ensure a well-developed,engaged editorial team
• Manage staffing, human resources, and organizational policies,systems, and benefits to ensure effective and equitable operations
• Manage organization's payroll,retirement, and benefits, ensuring effective andappropriate alignment to operational needs
• Oversee all day-to-day operations to ensure effective, efficient,and mission-aligned execution, compliant with regulatory and ethical standards
• Manage contracts, vendor relationships, and technology systems tosupport operational needsEditorial Support
• Collaboratewith the editorial leadership to set long-term organizational goals thatcomplement journalistic objectives
• Prioritizebudget allocations that reinforce investigative, public-health-focused, andstatewide reporting priorities
• Support newsroom independence while ensuring sustainableoperations and growth
• Help develop partnerships and distribution strategies that expandaudience reach and impactTheIdeal Candidate ProfileTheideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
• Proven executive or senior directorial leadership experience witha healthcare, media, or journalism nonprofit
• Keen understanding of independent journalism and its role in ahealthy democracy
• Deep empathy and desire for all North Carolinians to have accessto the information, resources, and care that support their overall health
• Provenexperience in donor outreach, solicitation, and stewardship
• Experience with local community grassroots initiatives,policy, and advocacy
• Outstandingstrategic planning experience, with ability to apply varied and thoughtfulapproaches for sustainability
• Excellent people management skills, with experience andappreciation for coaching and developing diverse work groups; experiencemanaging staff within creative spaces a plus
• Strong fiscal management skills, with functional knowledge ofQuickBooks and ability to disseminate and relate financial information to avariety of stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing budgets
• Effectivegrant-research and writing skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, influence, and publicspeaking abilities
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in media andorganizational culture
• Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience in journalism,healthcare, and/or nonprofit management; advanced degree preferred About

NC HEALTH

NEWSNCHealth News has provided information on health news, trends, and state policiesto the people of North Carolina to help them make health care decisions forthemselves, their families, and in the case of policymakers and providers,their constituents. Our team publishes 5-7 original, in-depth articles eachweek that we promote on social platforms and in a twice weekly, freee-newsletter. With this expanded capacity, NC Health News will expand theiraudience products.

NC Health News reports with an understanding that good health is more than yourdiet and exercise routine or the medications you take. It's affordableinsurance. It's safe drinking water. It's knowing what to look for in a homefor your aging parent. It's accessing quality care when you need it from atrusted, local provider. It can be hard for North Carolinians to figure outwhat complicated laws and corporate policies mean for their everyday life:

Their health, family, care choices, and their wallet. For 15 years, NC HealthNews has been breaking down how health policies ultimately affect residents ofour state, and our work has grown in influence and reach. NCHN has been in thevanguard of rebuilding North Carolina's journalism ecosystem, creating strongties with audiences, peer publications and influencing policymakers. More than130 outlets trust NCHN's reporting and reprint or reference its articles eachyear.

Wantto know more?

Visit https:

//www.northcarolinahealthnews.orgHow To ApplyJoinNC Health News and play a critical role in shaping its future while drivingimpactful change in the community. Toapply, clickon the link for this position at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. You will see instructions foruploading your compelling cover letter and resume. Cover letters should beresponsive to the mission of NC Health News as well as the statedresponsibilities and qualifications.

Pleaseprovide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technicalproblems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will beaccepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

NC Health News is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, andequitable workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicantsfrom all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity,gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age,religion, national origin, or veteran status. Ourreporting—and our mission—are strengthened when our team reflects the diverseNorth Carolina communities we serve. About Armstrong McGuireArmstrongMcGuire is a national executive search, fundraising, and strategic advisingfirm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and thecommunities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors work withclients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, andlead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals tohigh-impact organizations. Learn more about our services in talentacquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning.