CEO

About EdSource

EdSource is an award-winning, independent, non-profit multimedia journalism organization dedicated to covering all aspects of education in California, which is home to the largest and most diverse public education system in the United States.  Based in Oakland, and with reporters stationed throughout the state, EdSource works to engage Californians on key education challenges to ensure all students have access to an equitable and quality education in California and beyond. EdSource informs the public and holds people in power accountable by publishing enterprise reporting, investigative stories, and comprehensive data journalism in a number of formats, including articles, newsletters, podcasts, short-form videos, documentaries, and live roundtable discussions. As a nonprofit journalism organization, EdSource encourages other media outlets to co-publish stories and link to its reporting, amplifying the reach of this work to a broader audience. 

More recently, EdSource announced a partnership with Distributed Media Lab (DML) to create the California Education News Network with support from the Google News Initiative. The partnership with DML, whose platform is embedded online by news organizations nationwide, will allow the EdSource team to share its reporting with other outlets in communities across the state and beyond. Through these and other efforts, EdSource is working to expand its impact and to ensure educators, administrators, policymakers, parents and students are informed about the latest developments inside and outside the classroom.

Founded in 1977 as an independent education research and policy organization, EdSource has evolved over the years. Today it is widely regarded as the pre-eminent source of rigorous education reporting in California.  The EdSource newsroom is comprised of a diverse, award-winning and highly respected team of journalists who together comprise the largest education reporting staff in California. The expertise of EdSource’s staff of reporters, engagement managers and data experts is strengthened by a statewide Board of Directors made up of distinguished leaders from diverse education and journalism constituencies.

In February 2022, EdSource initiated a planning process to determine how best to advance its mission amidst the challenges currently facing the education system in California. The resulting plan identifies a set of 3 key strategies to improve internal performance and increase external impact.  These areas and their 2025 objectives include:

1. Expand EdSource’s Reach
2. Develop Content that Speaks to Parents and Students
3. Amplify EdSource’s Expertise with Policy Makers

As a non-profit, independent news organization, EdSource knows that an informed, involved public is necessary to strengthen education and to improve opportunities now and in the future. The need for high quality, authoritative and investigative journalism that is focused on education is crucial now more than ever.  The work to date – and the strategic plan priorities outlined above – position EdSource to enter a new phase of growth and impact in the next few years.

For more information on EdSource, please visit https://edsource.org/.       

The Opportunity

EdSource is seeking an outstanding, mission-driven leader with a passion for education and public service journalism to serve as its next CEO. EdSource seeks a full-time California-based CEO with experience in media to manage both editorial and business functions of its award-winning news organization.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will lead a newsroom and business operation of 25 and including a senior leadership team comprised of the Managing Editor, Investigations & Projects Editor, K-12 Editor, Director of Communications & Partnerships, Director of Development, Director of Operations and Editor-at-Large. Most of the staff works remotely, including some who are based in various locations around the state. The CEO will have the opportunity to lead a highly respected, forward-looking local media organization with a rich history, a devoted readership, and a deep commitment to independent journalism that expands educational quality, equity, and accountability in California and beyond. The next leader will embrace the chance to serve wider audiences and to ensure EdSource remains a highly relevant, respected, and sustainable education news outlet in an ever-changing media environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as Chief Executive Officer of EdSource, overseeing both the editorial and business sides of the operation.
• Provides and maintains strategic focus for the organization, identifying and implementing strategic initiatives that deliver against EdSource’s goals and mission.
• With oversight from the Board, sets annual strategic, financial, and impact objectives; the Board is not involved with editorial planning or content.
• Sets annual budgets and manages the financial aspects of the organization, including expenses, revenues and investments, as a skilled and trusted financial steward for long-term sustainability.
• Leads fundraising efforts, including prospecting and securing a diverse base of new donors while effectively stewarding and supporting existing relationships.
• Provides organizational and operational clarity, including alignment of staff roles, systems, and processes to maximize impact and effective workflows.
• Serves as an ambassador for the organization and its mission and, where appropriate, as spokesperson for EdSource at key gatherings and events.
• Ensures full and fair coverage of the diverse and multifaceted education landscape in California, encouraging a diversity of perspectives and voices in EdSource’s coverage, and adherence to the highest journalistic and ethical standards.
• Recruits, develops, and retains a highly talented and diverse team at all levels of EdSource and be a driving force in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.
• Ensures all EdSource employees are collaborating with a unified sense of purpose, accountability, transparency, and excellence, retaining and growing the very best talent at all levels of the organization.
• Cultivates a climate of continuous learning and professional development, recognizing EdSource’s ongoing commitment to training talented young and emerging journalists.
• Builds successful relationships with external partnerships and editorially appropriate collaborators including with other news outlets and journalism associations.
• Stays abreast of broader trends and developments in media and, where appropriate, adopt proven new business approaches, platforms and methods of storytelling.

Candidate Materials

While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

A Strategic, Visionary Leader 

• An accomplished strategic thinker and innovator who can articulate a clear, compelling, and unifying vision for EdSource that engages and inspires a diverse array of stakeholders;
• Works collaboratively to develop, refine, and implement effective strategic plans as well as the ability to operationalize those plans to drive success;
• Provides strategic focus so that all members of the EdSource team are clear about key goals and objectives and ensure that the necessary resources are aligned to deliver impact;
• Embraces the creative process and allows others to try new approaches in a spirit of innovation while also establishing clear benchmarks for success and the ability to pivot when circumstances dictate;
• Exhibits a natural curiosity and a learning mindset, always seeking to better understand the complex and emerging education landscape.    

An Experienced Builder of Inclusive Teams & Positive Cultures

• A natural teambuilder and uniter, someone who is adept at building and strengthening organizational relationships across a diverse array of teams, cultures, and orientations;
• A transparent communicator who actively informs staff and engages internal and external stakeholders in the mission, vision and status of the organization;
• A leader with a passion for recruiting, hiring, and retaining outstanding talent, including creating pathways that encourage continuous learning and professional development among staff;
• A culturally fluent leader with a demonstrated commitment to, and a track record of accomplishment in, advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Embraces and encourages reporting and content creation that authentically represents and elevates a multiplicity of voices in the communities EdSource serves;
• A leader who inspires the team to achieve excellence, celebrates accomplishments, and ensures an equitable and accountable workplace for all.

An Experienced Leader with a Passion for EdSource’s Mission & Strong Knowledge of Journalism and Education

• Fully embraces the work and mission of producing outstanding journalism that connects, informs, and inspires the many diverse people who engage the educational system in California and beyond;
• Serves as a standard bearer for high-quality, trusted, independent journalism – and the essential role it plays in strengthening civic life – and educational quality;
• Demonstrates an understanding of education related topics and a natural curiosity about the latest trends and developments in the field;
• Demonstrates a keen understanding of the highly dynamic media and journalism landscape, and the ability to leverage digital technologies effectively in rapidly changing times;
• Committed to journalism that holds power to account and deepens understanding across communities in a climate of growing polarization;
• Dedicated to creating the conditions, including upholding the ethical standards and editorial firewalls, that enable rigorous reporting to thrive and public trust to flourish.

An Outstanding Fundraiser & Ambassador 

• Demonstrates skill and sophistication in successfully growing and diversifying funding from a variety of philanthropic sources, including foundations and individual donors;
• Experienced and effective in all aspects of executive level fundraising from relationship building to gift solicitation to stewardship of current and prospective donors;
• Develops long-term relationships with external partners, funders, and collaborators across California;
• Communicates the organization’s mission, vision, and strategy in an authentic and compelling way that inspires others and builds trust;
• Serves as an effective and engaging spokesperson and public representative for EdSource’s work across a broad range of constituencies, including media.

Skilled Operational Leadership & Business Acumen

• Demonstrates strong business acumen and a track record of managing and growing successful teams;
• Balances “big picture” strategic guidance with the ability to execute and operationalize plans;
• Provides excellent operational and financial leadership with demonstrated experience in resource development, fundraising, budget, and P&L management;
• Ensures the necessary operational and administrative structures, workflows and roles are in place so that the organization functions effectively and ethically in pursuit of its journalism;
• Delegates effectively, leveraging the professional expertise of the team while also creating clear timelines and areas of responsibilities to ensure alignment, accountability, and outstanding execution.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $220,000 to $260,000 with a generous benefits package.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

 EdSource is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds, all races, colors, origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran statuses, sexual orientations, and marital statuses are strongly encouraged to apply.