Sahan Journal Executive Director Opportunity
About
Founded in August of 2019 by Mukhtar M. Ibrahim, Sahan Journal is a nationally recognized nonprofit digital newsroom dedicated to reporting for immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota. Our diverse staff creates exceptional journalism: coverage that truly represents the changing face of Minnesota and recognizes that democratic engagement and power belong to everyone.
Our stories reach audiences across many platforms, including our website, social media, video, newsletters, and community events. To reach more audiences, we share our stories with small community papers and with the states biggest mainstream newsrooms, in print and public radio.
In its short history, Sahan Journal has emerged as a leading voice in nonprofit news, reflecting its commitment to racial equity, innovation, and public service. Sahans newsroom has produced groundbreaking coverage of housing, education, public safety, health care, the environment, and labor: stories that put the experiences and needs of diverse communities on the front page of Minnesotas news agenda.
For this work, Sahans journalists have received many national and local honors, including numerous awards from the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2022, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press honored Sahan Journal with its Rising Star Award, a prestigious First Amendment prize. The same year, Sahan received the Community Engagement and Service Award from Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers.
And in 2023, the national Asian American Journalists Association honored Sahan Journal with its Community Engagement Award for its leadership, mentoring, civic engagement, and impact.
Sahans compelling vision, strong organizational culture, and record of public service have earned support from local and national foundations. Thousands of individual donors and businesses have invested in the success of the organization.
Through our exceptional and inclusive journalism, Sahan has become a trusted and essential voice for readers and communities of color in Minnesota.
The Role
After five years of steady growth, Sahan Journal is a thriving organization with a $3 million budget and 23 full-time staff members. Sahan Journals new Executive Director (ED) will be a mission-driven leader who will guide the nonprofit news organization into its next phase.
The ED will oversee Sahans financial and editorial growth, ensuring that the newsroom continues to meet the news and information needs of Minnesotas diverse communities.
The ED will lead the development and execution of Sahans audience and revenue growth planning and will oversee the organizations operations so that Sahan meets its strategic and financial goals.
The ED will lead a workplace culture that values collaboration, receptivity to new ideas, inclusivity, and belonging. In this environment, everyones perspectives are valued and heard, and all staff feel supported to express their thoughts in a transparent and open work space.
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited, to the following:
Vision and Strategy
• Shapes and guides the organizations overall strategy for long-term sustainability and growth, in partnership with the board of directors and senior leadership team.
• Functions as a visible, effective ambassador representing Sahans vision to media, partners, donors, and the wider nonprofit and business communities.
Passion for the Mission
• Believes and supports Sahans mission of producing outstanding and community-centered journalism that connects, informs, and inspires Minnesotas diverse immigrants and communities of color.
• Has a commitment to journalism that holds power to account.
• Protects Sahans ethical values and editorial firewalls that enable rigorous reporting to thrive.
General Management
The Executive Director is responsible for providing organization-wide leadership:
• Achieves staff alignment around Sahans vision and strategy, while also supporting the specific needs of each department.
• Provides consistent oversight of the revenue, editorial, growth, finance, and general operations teams to ensure they have the necessary staffing and resources to meet their goals as the organization grows.
• Establishes a strong working partnership with the board of directors. Gains their confidence as a strong and trusted peer and forges relationships that will bring forth their best ideas and efforts in support of Sahans activities and fundraising efforts.Identifies and leverages staff and board members individual talents and resources as needed.
• Works closely withSahans Editorial Director and operations, revenue, and growth teams to develop integrated plans that support Sahans mission and growth.
• Ensures that there are clear structures and policies in place to streamline communication, collaboration, and execution across all areas of the organization.
• We perform our work ethically and are accountable for our actions.
Editorial
The ED will work closely with the editorial team to support the following:
• Collaborates with the Editorial Director to develop an editorial strategic plan and growth priorities.
• Supports the editorial teams execution of current and new content initiatives and coverage areas.
• Aligns editorial objectives with other organizational goals and metrics.
Revenue and Growth
The ED will work closely with the revenue and the growth team to support the following:
• Expansion of fundraising efforts, including securing and growing institutional funders, major gifts, and individual donors.
• Development of (further) growth in earned income, including advertising, sponsorship, and new revenue streams.
• Development of market research and audience insights to help grow and diversify both earned and contributed revenue streams.
• Cultivation of existing and new strategic partners.
• Development of comprehensive strategies that increase brand awareness, community engagement, product development, and overall audience growth in the Twin Cities and other key Minnesota markets.
Operational Infrastructure (finance, technology and HR)
The ED will oversee the operational staff to ensure that:
• The finance and accounting systems, cash flow, annual audit, and budget management processes are consistent with the needs of a nonprofit organization, and in compliance with 501(c)(3) laws and regulations.
• The technology infrastructure supports Sahans business strategy and operations.
• HR systems and processes are in place to shape and support a diverse, dynamic, and collaborative workplace culture, consistent with Sahans mission and values
• Sahan Journal implements and adheres to best practices for staff development, benefits, and compensation, with a focus on equity, employee mentorship, and retention.
• The management of various vendors, consultants, and contractors are properly managed.
Ideal Personal Experience
The ideal candidate will also be:
• A creative and collabora.