The Tiny News Collective promotes media diversity by making it easier for people from underrepresented communities to create local news organizations. We equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to develop sustainable, community-focused media outlets. We support voices historically excluded from media and media ownership.

We believe that more diverse media ownership leads to more relevant, accurate and culturally conscious local news — so everyone can more fully engage in civic life, make more informed decisions, and better understand the world around them.

The Tiny News Collective seeks an operations director to help us realize our mission of building a more equitable future for journalism.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of professional and educational backgrounds. If you feel like you’re a good fit but worried that your experience might not be exactly aligned with this job description, please consider applying anyway.

Job description

Tiny News Collective seeks an experienced, adaptable operations professional with nonprofit administration experience to lead and manage the organization’s operations, including overseeing finances, human resources and our fiscal sponsorship program.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in operations management, with the goal of maximizing efficiency and effectiveness throughout an organization, while ensuring all activities are aligned with its mission and culture and in line with best practices and state and federal laws and requirements. They will create and maintain systems that endure and grow as TNC grows. They will be a key member of the senior leadership team and will work closely with the executive director. Key to this position is providing creative problem-solving and steady change management to our evolving organization.

The operations director will supervise the full-time finance manager and work with our fractional accounting team and other vendors. This role involves collaboration with leadership and staff across the organization and will interface with TNC members related to fiscal sponsorship. The Tiny News Collective team works fully remotely but is united by shared values. An ideal candidate approaches leadership with an approach of “collaboration with,” rather than “power over.”

Position Type: Full time
Compensation: $105,000
Location: Fully remote, must be based in the United States
Travel: Possible occasional travel
Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until July 7, 2024 (midnight, ET).

Responsibilities

Operations strategy and oversight:

• Coordinate strategic planning processes with the ED, leadership team and board
• Drive implementation of organizational strategy through effective and efficient business operations
• Collaborate with ED and leadership team to define and measure long-term strategic priorities and provide ED with regular analysis on operational health
• Keep leadership and the board informed with deep, clear context and analysis of operations needs and opportunities
• Partner with ED to represent TNC with external stakeholders and support in both external and internal communication needs
• Support ED in fully engaging board, including coordinating and preparing for board meetings, assisting with board governance and supporting board communications
• Manage organization platform accounts and ensure operational platforms are stable, secure and meet organizational and operational needs and budget

Budget and financial oversight:

• In collaboration with our ED and with support from our fractional accountant and finance manager, maintain accurate financial data for the organization
• Collaborate with internal and external parties to source data for annual budget planning process and draft in coordination with our ED and fractional accounting team
• Review and understand monthly financial activity as reflected in financial reports, including providing narratives for internal and board presentations
• Supervise the financial accounting process of the organization (monthly financial close, reporting, bill payment, payroll processing, etc.)
• Draft, oversee and implement contracts and partnership agreements with support from fractional attorneys
• Coordinate with vendors, negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships to ensure optimal service delivery and cost-effectiveness
• Lead ad-hoc financial projects, including assisting with the annual financial audit, generating multi-year forecasts and other strategic initiatives

Team and people operations:

• Oversee the ongoing development and implementation of personnel infrastructure and policies (i.e., payroll, benefits, recruiting, hiring, onboarding and exit processes, performance management system)
• Design team members’ onboarding and professional development
• Organize team meetings and other initiatives to foster a positive organizational culture
• Other HR duties as needed and appropriate

Fundraising:

• Partner with ED and membership director to develop annual fundraising goals, initiatives and strategies to support the strategic vision
• Assist in pitches to foundations, partners and major donors
• Support in periodic budget reporting and progress reporting to donors

Fiscal sponsorship program oversight:

• Oversee our fiscal sponsorship program for TNC members and clients in collaboration with our finance manager
• Work with the board, partners and internal team to grow the fiscal sponsorship program
• Work collaboratively with the finance manager to create, maintain and evaluate systems and documentation for the program to meet compliance needs and ensure a quality customer service experience
• Collaborate with the finance manager to development and implement marketing strategy for the fiscal sponsorship client program

Skills, experience and interests

Must haves:

• At least 5 years of experience in operations management or a related role, preferably within media, journalism and/or nonprofits
• An understanding of and passion for the mission, journalism and the local news entrepreneurial sector
• Has experience helping to lead an organization or business unit through growth
• Exceptional project management skills, including strong organizational and multitasking capabilities
• Is a systems thinker
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment
• A keen attention to detail and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility and adaptability to evolving organizational needs
• Has experience integrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as part of decision making and people management
• Practices leadership as a collaborative, inclusive process
• Has a demonstrated understanding of the journalism funding space and/or fundraising overall
• Tech savvy and familiarity with Google Drive and other collaborative tools, including AirTable and Slack
• Familiarity with business financial systems, including QuickBooks or similar tools

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management or related field
• Experience with fiscal sponsorship program management

Benefits

• Employer-reimbursed medical, dental, and vision insurance
• TNC will provide the necessary equipment for this role
• 20 days paid vacation, not including health days
• 10 company holidays each year, in addition to the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day
• 10 weeks of paid parental leave
• Flexible work schedule—TNC is a remote-first organization with team members in many time zones. Beyond the need for meetings and events we all need to be remotely present for, we are flexible with schedules and employees work wherever they see fit.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and answers to our application questions in the application form below. 

Have questions about the role or Tiny News Collective before you apply? Feel free to connect with us during office hours!

The Tiny News Collective is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we particularly encourage applications from candidates belonging to communities historically under-represented in the media ecosystem. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability, arrest or conviction record, pregnancy, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, religion, sex, genetic information, military status, unemployment status or any other characteristic as protected by law. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, we will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for persons due to their religious beliefs; disability; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; or because the individual was a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking.