General Manager, The Waco Bridge

Location: Waco, Texas
Job Category: Online | New Media
Job ID: 11895
Employment Type: Full time
Salary: per year
Posted: 10.17.2024

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Occupations:

Job Description:

The Waco Bridge, a new community-centered newsroom dedicated to providing high-quality local news in Waco, is seeking its inaugural General Manager.

The ideal candidate will have experience in nonprofit management, business development, or media operations, coupled with a strong commitment to local journalism and community engagement. The General Manager will be responsible for the business and operational aspects of the new local Waco newsroom, driving its financial sustainability, and working in close collaboration with the local Editor-in-Chief to ensure the newsroom’s success.

About The Waco Bridge

The Waco Bridge is an independent, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to empowering Wacoans with high-quality local news that connects communities, fosters civic engagement and creates a sense of belonging. Supported by The Texas Tribune, we will deliver accessible, free news that connects people with the information they need in Waco.

The Bridge is committed to producing news and information that addresses the needs raised by the communities it covers. Its editorial strategy will be continuously informed through community conversations with Waco residents about the needs they identify as the most necessary. This includes coverage around how local decisions are made and how they impact people differently, how community is being built in Waco, and how development and growth is impacting the future of the city and its residents.

The Bridge is committed to working with integrity, inclusivity, transparency and collaboration. We are also committed to working with a sense of service so that Waco residents are better-informed about what’s going on in their communities and can better effect positive change.

We will uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics and accuracy in our work. We will ensure diverse voices and perspectives are represented. We will operate with openness and honesty and build trust with our audience through clear and candid communication. We will engage with community members, organizations, fellow news outlets and others to help strengthen our collective impact. And we will emphasize solutions-focused work that will help our audience feel a sense of empowerment and agency after consuming our journalism.

The Role

The General Manager will lead the business operations of The Waco Bridge, ensuring the newsroom's financial health and sustainability. They will oversee local newsroom fundraising, manage local finances and work closely with The Texas Tribune’s central business teams to align strategy and success metrics. The General Manager will also act as a key public representative for The Waco Bridge, engaging with the community and advocating for the newsroom’s mission. They will be responsible for organizing and supporting first the launch committee pre-launch, and then the advisory board, post-launch. 

The Waco General Manager will collaborate with the Waco Editor-in-Chief to ensure that the business and editorial strategies are aligned and mutually supportive. Together, they will work to build a newsroom that meets the needs of Waco’s residents and becomes a trusted source of local news.

Responsibilities and Priorities

• Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to secure financial support from foundations, philanthropists, and other potential donors.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with sponsors and partners, earning their support and integrating their messaging across the newsroom’s platforms and products.
• Attend events to identify fundraising and sponsorship opportunities, serving as a local community representative.
• Oversee financial management, including monitoring and managing the Profit & Loss (P&L) statement to ensure the newsroom’s financial sustainability.
• Work closely with the local Editor-in-Chief to drive the newsroom’s success, ensuring that business strategies support editorial goals and community relevance.
• Serve as a public face of The Waco Bridge, representing the newsroom at community events, gatherings, and meetings, and actively engaging with residents to understand their needs.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including residents, leaders, donors, funders, media partners, and businesses, to advance The Waco Bridge’s mission.
• Develop relationships with local donors and funders to ensure financial sustainability.
• Coordinate with The Texas Tribune’s business teams on strategy, success metrics and sustainability initiatives, ensuring alignment with the broader mission while maintaining the unique identity of The Waco Bridge. 
• Understand the intricacies of leading and managing teams, partners, and community events.

You’re a good fit if …

• You have a proven track record in nonprofit management and business development.
• You have deep experience in fundraising, sponsorship acquisition, and financial management.
• You love Waco, live there now or are willing to move there, and are passionate about supporting the community. 
• You excel at building partnerships and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working closely with small teams to achieve shared goals.
• You are an effective communicator with strong public speaking skills and are driven by community engagement.
• You’re a self-starter, who values creativity and innovation. 
• You like to create new processes and systems to achieve results. 
• You are committed to the mission of empowering communities through local news and are excited about the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position will depend on experience. The minimum is $85,000. This job is full-time and includes the following benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• Cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• 12 paid holidays
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave plus four weeks of additional job protection
• Annual 401(k) match of $2,000

How to apply

Apply by Nov. 18 with a résumé and a cover letter summarizing how you would approach this job. We can't wait to hear from you.

The Texas Tribune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for all, and we encourage applicants of all identities, backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.

Job Requirements: