Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Organization

The Vermont Journalism Trust Ltd. is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to produce rigorous journalism that explains complex issues promotes public accountability and fosters democratic and civic engagement.

The Vermont Journalism Trust Ltd. seeks a CEO to oversee the operations of VTDigger Vermonts statewide non-profit digital news publication. VTDiggers newsgathering is led by an experienced Editor-in-Chief and statewide newsroom of award-winning reporters and editors committed to rigorous independent journalism. The CEO will provide the leadership necessary to sustain and expand VTDiggers editorial ambitions while strengthening its role as an essential civic institution in Vermont.

VTDigger provides daily news coverage as well as probing investigative reporting informing and connecting Vermonters through fact-checked original reporting. It serves as the paper of record for Vermont.

VTDigger reaches more than 500000 monthly unique visitors and distributes reporting to more than a dozen community news organizations throughout the state. At the end of people subscribed to our flagship Daily Digger newsletter a 25% increase since 2023. Charitable contributions accounting for over two thirds of VTDiggers revenues have grown steadily over the past two years half of that from 9200 Vermonters who contribute less than $1000 per year.

Position Summary

The Vermont Journalism Trust Ltd seeks an outstanding mission-driven leader committed to journalism in the public interest. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will lead VTDiggers next chapter following a successful transition from its founder guiding the organization as it deepens its service to Vermonters in a rapidly changing media and information-needs landscape.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees the CEO is responsible for ensuring the overall success and long-term resilience of VTDigger by sustaining editorial excellence and a stable inclusive organizational culture. The CEO will build a clear compelling vision grounded in Vermonters information needs and will play a central role in mobilizing philanthropic and public support to further that vision.

This position is based in Montpelier Vermont. Learn more about VTDigger here.

Essential Functions

Strategic Decision-Making for Impact

Leads a disciplined approach to understanding Vermonters information needs drawing on community listening audience insight and impact learning to shape strategy. Translates those inputs into clear priorities resource allocation and selective experimentation and adapts based on what most effectively serves Vermonters. Protects editorial independence while evolving how VTDigger responds to changing audience behaviors and community needs.

Fundraising and Revenue Generation

Serves as VTDiggers chief fundraiser developing realistic and diversified revenue strategies aligned with the long-term mission and impact. Cultivates solicits and stewards major donors and foundations; leads fundraising communication and events; and explores new partnership opportunities that strengthen sustainability while preserving editorial independence.

Organizational Leadership and Management

Provides overall leadership and direction for VTDiggers business and operational functions including finance human resources technology marketing facilities legal compliance and business strategy. Fosters a strong mission-centered culture that supports employee engagement satisfaction and development in a fast-paced unionized newsroom and promotes thoughtful people management practices and respectful labor relations.

External Leadership

Serves as a spokesperson for the Vermont Journalism Trust Ltd. and VTDigger advancing a persuasive narrative about the value of local fact-checked journalism as civic infrastructure. Engages community members civic and business leaders foundations professional associations and peer organizations to build broad philanthropic and reader support for VTDiggers mission and for a stronger local news ecosystem in Vermont.

Editorial Partnership and Newsroom Support

Respects the Editor-in-Chiefs authority over news operations staffing and editorial decisions. Supports the newsroom through budget oversight strong employee policies and practices and organizational strategy. Collaborates with the Editor-in-Chief to align editorial priorities with audience trust impact and organizational sustainability. The CEO has authority to hire evaluate and discharge the Editor-in-Chief.

Board Relations and Governance

Reports to the Board of Trustees and leads the organization in accordance with the boards written delegation of authority. Supports the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities including strategic planning policy approval oversight of collective bargaining agreements and selection of the auditor.

Desired Qualifications and Attributes:

We recognize that applicants may not possess all qualifications listed below and would consider individuals who demonstrate the will ability and initiative to grow into new areas of responsibility.

• 5 years of executive or equivalent leadership experience in a mission-driven organization with an annual budget of $3 million ideally in journalism or a related civil or public-service field.
• Passion for journalism in the public interest as a key element of democratic civic life.
• Proven experience overseeing organizational finances budgets and core operations.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and develop relationships with a diversity of individuals and organizations in order to secure significant philanthropic support including personal solicitations and working with foundations and/or donors on multi-year grants.
  
• Demonstrated experience fostering a culture of trust transparency respect and integrity across different functions in an organization.
• Experience articulating and advancing a long-term vision for an organization and how it serves and grows from its community.
• High ethical standards and sound judgment.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills and the ability to represent an organization publicly with confidence credibility and authority.

Total Compensation

Base salary: A starting salary commensurate with qualifications will be offered within a hiring range of $145000.00 to $190000.00.

Benefits: VTDigger currently offers health dental vision disability and life/AD&D insurance paid time off (6 holidays and 25 CTO) and a 403(b)-retirement plan with immediate vesting and an automatic employer contribution of 2.5% of annual salary.

How To Apply

Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and are asked to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration by the search committee. The search committee expects to start interviews in March and have the new CEO on board by late spring

Prospective candidates seeking additional insights before applying may contact our executive search partner Beth Gilpin Consulting at for a confidential exploratory call.

The Vermont Journalism Trust Ltd. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Required Experience:

Chief