NABJ is seeking to identify its next Executive Director who can build on its current accomplishments and lead the organization with vision and inspired leadership to take NABJ to the next level of growth and sustainability.
The Position: The Executive Director will be a dynamic leader with the power and presence to advocate successfully and passionately on behalf of NABJ in the public and private sectors. The position of Executive Director is a critical, visible leadership position requiring strong management experience, demonstrated fundraising ability and fiscal responsibility, and a successful track record of working with corporations, non-profits, political entities, membership-driven and advocacy organizations including nonprofits.
The ideal candidate must be highly intelligent and a self-starter who is committed to NABJ’s core mission. He, she or they must understand the journalism community, be able to manage people and processes, and demonstrate significant accomplishments and past successes. This person must be a strategic thinker and planner, a problem solver and able to respond to crises quickly and effectively. They must work closely with the board and staff in an open, honest fashion that promotes inclusiveness, cooperation and teamwork. In addition, he or she will be diplomatic, of the highest integrity and possess sound judgment.
Specific Responsibilities:
Maintain NABJ’s position at the forefront of journalism; with the president, serve as the public face and spokesperson of NABJ, representing the organization internally and externally to industry and community leaders, donors, government representatives and the national community
Plan and execute strategies to improve NABJ’s short-term and long-term financial stability; assess current financial practices and recommend necessary changes in financial infrastructure
Manage finances, budgets, processes and procedures; review finances for board reports and monitor for needed adjustments
Manage day-to-day operations of NABJ supervising all components of NABJ offices; analyze office operations and recommend and execute necessary infrastructure and operational changes to improve efficiencies and customer service
Direct overall fundraising efforts including, but not limited to, the annual convention
Oversee planning and implementation of the convention, including identifying resource requirements and assisting in researching funding sources where appropriate
Monitor, deny or approve convention expenses in collaboration with finance director
Research, analyze and recommend to the board cities for subsequent conventions
Collaborate with development staff/team regarding ongoing individual partnerships/sponsorship negotiations
Ensure required foundation grant reports are completed in a timely and appropriate manner
Oversee ongoing renegotiation of contracts with vendors to achieve cost savings for the organization and/or to provide additional needed services; create RFP’s for potential vendors and consultants
Execute strategic plan and development of annual report; monitor, adjust and report on metrics and execution of strategies
Engage with NABJ’s legal and financial consultants and contractors
Work closely with various committees and task forces regarding programming initiatives
Build an effective working relationship with the board, maintaining regular communications and providing accurate and timely reporting to the board regarding activities, outcome metrics, finances and development. Alert board regarding personnel issues and recommend plan of action
Maintain a working relationship with other professional journalism groups, related professions and academia to enhance the further growth of NABJ
Perform all other duties as may be directed from time to time by the NABJ President
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must believe in and be committed to the mission and core values of NABJ. Additional attributes include:
Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree a plus
Nonprofit management and/or applicable executive management experience on both a strategic and day-to-day level preferred
Knowledge and familiarity of the issues surrounding journalists industry-wide
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; strategic thinker, effective, confident
Accomplished fundraiser at ease in the role of seeking and asking for individual and major gifts and grants; adept at developing institutional partnerships to advance the mission
Hands-on management style with the ability to address and solve problems or issues as they arise
An energetic leader with management and team-building skills, including the ability to create change, motivate, align effort and set goals in order to create a strong sense of common purpose
Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to focus, prioritize and implement
Entrepreneurial in spirit and able to find innovative ways to grow an organization
Experience in sound management of the finances of an organization of similar capacity and complexity
ABOUT NABJ
The National Association of Black Journalists (“NABJ”) is an organization of journalists, media-related professionals, journalism educators and students that provides quality programs and services to its members, as well as advocates on behalf of journalists worldwide. NABJ was founded almost 50 years ago by a group of African-American journalists who had experienced barriers in their careers and were looking for ways to overcome those barriers. Believing there was strength in numbers, these journalists banded together to effect change through advocacy, networking, fostering professionalism and striving to increase the number of African-American professionals involved in management and entrepreneurship in the field of journalism. Since then, the organization has grown to more than 4200 (four thousand two hundred) and is increasingly recognized as a leading voice in the nation’s communities and an important fixture in journalism, as well as a critical partner for its members in terms of personal growth and professional development and exposure.
NABJ has programs for high school students to encourage their participation in the journalism field and provides scholarships and internships to both high school and college students nationwide, as well as fellowships for professionals. NABJ also operates the NABJ Leadership Academy to help provide skills to future managers in the industry.
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides innovative, quality programs and services to its members. The organization advocates on behalf of Black journalists and media professionals in the U.S. and worldwide. NABJ’s membership is more than 4,000 strong and includes emerging journalists, professional journalists, student journalists, journalism educators and media professionals of all kinds.
NABJ is headquartered on the campus of the University of Maryland-College Park. Our offices are located at 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3101, College Park, Maryland 20742.
Many of NABJ’s members also serve on and participate in domestic and global professional and student chapters. This allows us to consistently reach, support and engage Black journalists and media professionals in their local communities through meetings, panels, workshops, media institutes and regional conferences. NABJ also offers its members the opportunity to join multiple task forces and committees that align with their professional disciplines and goals.
Every two years, the membership elects a president and members of its National Board of Directors to gov...ern NABJ. An executive director leads the National Office staff.
NABJ is committed to the following:
- Strengthening ties among Black journalists, student journalists, journalism educators and media professionals;
- Sensitizing all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for Black journalists;
- Expanding job opportunities and recruiting activities for veteran, young and aspiring Black journalists and media professionals while providing continued professional development and training;
- Increasing the number of Black journalists and media professionals in management positions and encouraging Black journalists to become entrepreneurs;
- Fostering an exemplary group of professionals that honors excellence and outstanding achievements by Black journalists, and outstanding achievement in the media industry as a whole, particularly when it comes to providing balanced coverage of the Black community and society at large;
- Working with high schools and colleges to identify and encourage Black students to become journalists and communicators, and to diversify faculties and related curriculum;
- And providing informational, educational and training services to the general public.
NABJ holds an Annual National Convention and Career Fair each summer with hundreds of plenary sessions, panels, workshops, special events and networking opportunities for professional and personal development. The career fair draws hundreds of recruiters. It is the largest of its kind in the nation. Coupled with NABJ’s online career center, it is the best means of finding a job in the industry. The annual Salute to Excellence Awards, Hall of Fame and Special Honors (Lifetime Achievement, Journalist of the Year, Community Service, etc.) are bestowed at each convention.
Each year, NABJ awards nearly $100,000 in scholarships and internships to college and high school students nationwide, as well as fellowships for seasoned professionals.
The NABJ Media Institute provides professional development and technical training for Black journalists, journalism students and media professionals at venues across the country.
