Editor in Chief

Over the next three years, Cardinal News will execute aregional expansion plan that deepens reporting in Southwest and SouthsideVirginia while adding new zones of coverage across communities lackingdedicated local journalism. This growth includes expanding the newsroom,launching additional geographic and enterprise beats, and strengtheningaudience engagement capacity.

The Editor in Chief will lead an expansion of one of thenations fastest growing nonprofit, nonpartisan news organizations as itfulfills its mission to cover a journalistically underserved region ofVirginia.

We are seeking a high-energy editorial leader to build onour journalistic successes and inspire our team to pursue investigative andaccountability journalism.

Were looking for someone who understands our mission --telling the untold stories of Southwest and Southside Virginia andstrengthening the voices of the people in our communities who have beensidelined in the commonwealths political, economic and cultural conversationssimply because of where they live. Cardinals Editor in Chief should alsounderstand that to reach our diverse audiences our stories need to be adaptedfor multiple platforms.

This a hands-on position for an editor who understands thateven daily stories need explanatory information, and that to fulfill ourmission our news content demands a mix of long-form journalism, short newsupdates and in-depth enterprise and investigative stories.

The EIC will ensure that we have the systems, processes,procedures and key metrics not only in place but in continuous use by all inthe newsroom.

The EIC oversees all aspects of our journalism team thatcurrently includes a managing editor, a founding editor/columnist, twoassociate editors, 12 reporters and two part-time copy editors.

The EIC will report to the executive director and be anintegral member of the leadership team and expected to be a true partner inexecuting our vision.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Collaborative culture

Cardinal News believes in the cliche of getting everyone inthe same boat, and rowing in the same direction. We encourage collaborationwith others and among ourselves. The Editor in Chief will:

n Seek collaborations and partners for projects,products and events in service to our mission.

n Foster ateam culture that supports its employees so that they can perform to theirhighest abilities.

n Place acontinuous emphasis on team building and other communication to enhance sharedvalues across the newsroom, especially important for a remote workforce.

n Maintainan inclusive workplace that supports a sense of belonging and that is inclusiveof all people no matter their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

n Communicate Cardinal News mission and visionclearly to reporters, supporters, partners and to the journalism community atlarge.

n Ensure systems, processes, procedures and keymetrics are in place and are in continuous use.

Impact

The EIC will foster a newsroom culture that understands ourstories impact the lives of people in our communities, and will ensure that wetrack impact to understand if our reporting is giving people access toinformation they need to participate in civic life.

Engagement

As a new organization, Cardinal News has much opportunity toexpand its market penetration. Our loyal readership skews wealthier, whiter andmore educated, on average, than the overall demographics of our coverage area.The EIC will be integral in outreach, developing and implementing strategiesand tools to engage and build our audience, and to conceive and test new waysto bring our stories to people in the format and on the platforms they want.

Staff recruitment and development

The EIC will be responsible for hiring reporters and editorsand will ensure that the news team receives clear directions on the newsroomsvision and the support necessary to perform at high levels. We want a leaderwho can coach and supervise our team, and who can spot and addressunderperforming areas. We budget for training.

EXPECTED QUALIFICATIONS

n An unwavering commitment to local journalism.

n At least 10 years managing a newsroom, includingexperience as the top newsroom leader.

n A proven track record guiding reporters toproduce great accountability journalism and corresponding experience ineditorial decisions with complex or sensitive news content. Please provideseveral examples in your application.

n Management experience that shows both visionarythinking and leadership in execution of goals.

n Hands-on knowledge of setting and assessing performance-basedexpectations and coaching newsroom staff.

n Demonstrated ability to lead a high-performingnews team

n Excellent communication skills across the board

n Exemplary organizational and time managementskills

n Flexibility: We are a growing organization andwear many hats

n An understanding of our communities and thepeople we serve

About Cardinal News

Cardinal News is an organization with a bias toward action,and uses data to measure its efforts and guide decision-making. We were named LionPublishers Business of the Year in 2025, Startup of the Year in 2023 by theInstitute for Nonprofit News, and recently were accepted into the AmericanJournalism Project portfolio.

We want our team members to feel supported in their work. Webudget for training, travel, and the tools necessary to produce andsupport strong journalism. Our benefits include:

• Competitive pay
• Paid holidays and vacation time
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Contributions to health savings accounts
• A matching 401(k) plan
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• A collaborative, mission-driven team

We Value Diverse Perspectives

Cardinal News is an equal opportunity employer. We welcomeapplicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race,color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any otherstatus protected by law.

We also recognize that not all candidates will check everysingle box. If you have most of the qualifications listed above and arepassionate about stewardship, accountability journalism, and serving ruralcommunities, we would love to hear from your

What should not get lost in the details is that we arestrongly committed to excellent journalism and to our mission and are seekingan EIC who shares those values.

To Apply

Send a resume and cover letter to ... .

In the cover letter, please describe your vision for ournewsroom and why you are a good fit for Cardinal News.