Executive Director

Job Description

About MinnPost

MinnPost is an award-winning nonprofit news organization serving the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota with high-quality journalism focused on Minnesota politics, policy, culture, and community. Since 2007, MinnPost has established itself as an essential source of independent, nonpartisan news and analysis for Minnesotans who care deeply about their state.

As a digital-first newsroom, MinnPost reaches hundreds of thousands of readers monthly with in-depth reporting, thoughtful commentary, and innovative multimedia storytelling. The organization is supported by a diverse revenue model including individual donors, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and membership contributions. MinnPost operates with an annual budget of approximately $2.5M and employs 20 full-time staff members.

MinnPost is at an exciting juncture as it seeks its next leader. The organization has a strong editorial reputation and foundation of organizational priorities to build from while navigating the evolving media landscape. The next Executive Director has an opportunity to shape and grow the organization for the future with high-trust, in-depth, mission-driven journalism that strengthens accountability and civic understanding.

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as MinnPost’s chief executive officer and primary leader, responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management, and financial sustainability of the organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides visionary leadership while ensuring excellence in journalism, organizational health, and mission fulfillment.

This is a pivotal leadership role that requires a skilled relationship builder and strategic thinker who can execute on MinnPost’s current plans while remaining adaptable to new opportunities. The Executive Director must balance multiple priorities including staff leadership, audience growth, revenue development, and organizational visibility—all while maintaining the editorial independence and journalistic integrity that are central to MinnPost’s mission.

The ideal candidate will be a proven manager and fundraiser with deep commitment to public service journalism, demonstrated ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders, and experience fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. This leader should possess the change management skills needed to guide MinnPost through continued growth while maintaining organizational stability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision, Execution and Planning

• Serve as MinnPost's chief visionary, inspiring the organization toward bold innovation and developing the strategic plan in close partnership with the Board of Directors, editorial leadership, and staff
• Champion a culture of innovation and openness to emerging opportunities, while ensuring disciplined execution of existing strategies

Revenue Development and Fundraising

• Oversee and participate in comprehensive fundraising efforts across individual giving, major donors, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and earned revenue streams employing a year-round, programmatic approach to fundraising and stewardship
• Continue a strong commitment to MinnPost Festival, the signature fundraising and community engagement event

Audience Growth and Community Engagement

• Partner with editorial leadership to drive the development and implementation of strategies for audience expansion and deeper reader engagement
• Grow and lead strategic partnerships and community connections that extend MinnPost’s reach and impact
• Enhance MinnPost’s visibility and awareness across Minnesota, articulating the organization’s mission and value to diverse audiences
• Serve as primary spokesperson and public face of MinnPost in the Twin Cities and beyond by representing MinnPost at community events and actively engaging in professional networks and on professional platforms including social media

Staff Leadership and Management

• Institute best practices for management of editorial, business, and operations staff
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven organizational culture built on trust and transparency
• Work effectively with unionized workforce, building productive labor-management relationships

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of MinnPost’s work, including hiring, retention, coverage, and organizational practices

Financial Management and Operations

• Ensure sound financial management including budget development, financial monitoring, cash flow management, and reporting
• Oversee operational systems and infrastructure to support organizational efficiency and compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements for nonprofit journalism organizations

Board Relations and Governance

• Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and strategic oversight
• Provide regular reporting on organizational performance, financial health, and strategic initiatives
• Support Board development, recruitment, and engagement and collaborate with Board committees on fundraising, strategic priorities, and organizational advancement

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience. The expected range for this salary is $160,000-180,0000.

MinnPost offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee health, financial security, and work-life balance. Health and wellness benefits include employer-paid medical insurance (80% for employees, 50% for partners or dependents), dental insurance (80% employer-paid), and fully covered short-term disability and group life insurance, with additional options for vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance available at employee expense. The organization provides retirement support through a 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer matching up to 3% of salary, which can be applied to 401(k) contributions or eligible student loan payments, plus a monthly phone stipend. There is a competitive time off plan, and MinnPost participates in Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program and supplements those benefits to support employees during important life transitions.

Location and Work Arrangement

This position is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MinnPost is a hybrid workplace and offers flexibility to its employees. The Executive Director is expected to maintain a strong presence in the Twin Cities community and be available for in-person meetings, events, and relationship-building activities. Limited travel (approximately 10% of time) may be required for conferences, funder meetings, and professional development.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter describing your interest in MinnPost and this role, and how your experience aligns with the qualifications (no more than 2 pages)
• Resume highlighting relevant experience
• Contact information for three professional references (references will not be contacted without prior notice)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For priority consideration, please apply by June 15, 2026.

Please submit application materials using this online submission form. 

Questions about the position should be directed to Kristin Tessman at kristin@newzops.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

MinnPost is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and candidates from other traditionally underrepresented communities.

We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our journalism and our organization. MinnPost values candidates with great experience even if they don’t check every box on this list. If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our success, we encourage you to apply.

Job Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Deep commitment and passion for public service journalism and MinnPost’s mission
• Proven track record of successful fundraising across multiple revenue streams (individual donors, major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships)
• Demonstrated experience managing staff, with ability to motivate teams, delegate effectively, and create conditions for staff success and retention
• Strategic thinking combined with strong implementation skills and attention to execution
• Exceptional relationship-building abilities across diverse stakeholders including donors, board members, staff, community partners, and readers
• Experience building and working successfully with diverse workforces and demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience as a public speaker
• Financial acumen including budget development, financial analysis, and fiscal oversight
• Understanding of the importance of editorial independence and ability to respect the boundary between business and newsroom operations

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• Nonprofit management experience, ideally in media or journalism organizations
• Business background with understanding of sustainable revenue models
• Experience as an executive director or in senior leadership roles
• Experience executing organizational strategic plans from conception through implementation
• Understanding of Minnesota’s political, cultural, and media landscape
• Experience working with unionized workforces
• Connections to national nonprofit news networks, journalism innovation communities, and links to national funders supporting journalism and civic media
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort taking calculated risks to innovate

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