RevLab Director

We’re hiring a director to lead the Texas Tribune’s Revenue Lab, a training and innovation center housed within our pioneering online news organization. Coupling lessons learned over the Tribune’s eleven-year history with best practices from across the news industry, RevLab offers consulting, training and research free of charge to publishers around the world who are seeking to create sustainable operations. In its inaugural year, RevLab put on “bootcamps” on everything from major gifts and membership to corporate sponsorship and events. Funded by a generous grant from the Facebook Journalism Project, publishers from big to small, nonprofit to for-profit, legacy to digital, have turned to RevLab to help develop diverse business models that pay for their critically important journalism. The director is a strategist, a tactician and a change agent with a vision for how RevLab can advance the field of news revenue and sustainability. Armed with a broad understanding of the news ecosystem, the director will bring ideas to and from the Tribune newsroom and share insights broadly with other publishers. RevLab’s director is, by design, a high-profile player in the journalism ecosystem.

A visionary industry veteran, the director has an acute understanding of revenue challenges and the myriad ways innovative newsrooms are beating the odds at growing audience and both philanthropic and earned income. A connector, the director knows the people and partners to enlist to model outstanding solutions. A problem solver, the director leverages a roster of external subject matter experts along with the Tribune’s own pros to show publishers how to fortify their businesses. A teacher, the director is comfortable leading large trainings and working one-on-one with a range of individuals and organizations. A leader, the director couples entrepreneurial experience with empathy for newsrooms facing headwinds to convey trust and authority. The director is a strategist, a tactician and a change agent — in other words, a great thinker who gets things done.The director oversees all aspects of RevLab and is chiefly responsible for executing its mission, managing a small team of RevLab employees, a large network of consultants and an advisory board. The director is a member of Tribune’s management team and reports to its chief development officer.

Responsibilities

Function as an expert, advisor and connector who formulates and executes training strategies and applications that help newsrooms develop new revenue-generating products and practices Maintain a deep understanding of the journalism ecosystem, particularly challenges, best practices and innovations around revenue and audience development Steward strategic relationships with RevLab’s peers in the journalism training space — e.g., LION, LMA, ONA, API and the Facebook Journalism Project Manage a portfolio of RevLab programs and partnerships Identify opportunities for RevLab to develop new programming that fortifies the journalism ecosystem by offering practical training and resources Strategize how RevLab can leverage the Tribune’s experience and personnel to help other newsrooms thrive Manage a budget with accountability on meeting quarterly and annual goals, reporting progress to the SMT, ultimately leading the RevLab toward self-sustainability Represent RevLab and the Tribune at conferences, panels and private consultations in a way that is persuasive, inspiring, credible and trusted Requirements

5 + years of professional experience in media leadership, preferably in a product or revenue role A visionary leader with management and partnership-building experience An expert in journalism/media revenue or product innovations, opportunities and challenges A journalism industry connector who cultivates subject matter experts and fosters partnerships for the benefit of RevLab programs Deep familiarity with the journalism and entrepreneurial training ecosystem and an ability to articulate how RevLab complements and competes within it A leader of cross-functional or multi-disciplinary teams who brings together individuals to achieve a common purpose and shared goals A hands-on collaborator who can set, develop, and communicate strategies in a way that brings alignment, action and excitement An influencer who has the ability to diplomatically and persuasively communicate with a variety of individuals Experience negotiating contracts and managing vendors and consultants Excellent verbal and written communication and strong interpersonal skills that inspire, motivate and bring people together Comfort with public speaking before audiences big and small, online and in-person Commitment to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion Experience developing programming and leading live trainings is a big plus About The Texas Tribune

Here’s what you should know about the Tribune. From day one we’ve had disruption, innovation and risk-taking in our DNA. We’re ambitious as all get out but still have the punch-above-your-weight mentality of a scrappy start-up. We believe we can meet the demands of our audience and our own expectations for excellence without breaking the bank — or our staff. We understand not everything is a story for us — we have to make choices — but we’re always looking to expand our boundaries. We’re nonprofit because the challenging economic reality for media these days obligates us to find a different way, reliable and sustainable, to fund serious journalism. We’re nonpartisan because we live in the United States of Confirmation Bias — and we don’t need to be part of the problem. We don’t need to be yet another source of information affirming the voices and perspectives that are already in people’s heads. At the same time, nonpartisan is not non-thinking. We call B.S. when B.S. needs to be called.

All of us at the Trib believe the best way to achieve that mission is to resemble the state we cover. We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom for people of all backgrounds and ages, and we’re taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this role, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Location

The Texas Tribune office is located in downtown Austin, steps away from the Texas Capitol building. We have colleagues in the organization that come into the office on a regular basis and colleagues that are based in various cities throughout the United States.

Benefits

This job is full time and has the following benefits:

Medical, vision and dental insurance A cellphone stipend 20 days of paid time off each year Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave plus four weeks of additional job protection 401(k) matching Support for professional training and attending industry conferences Remote working flexibility We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

How to apply:

Please submit your application here by Friday, July 30, 2021. Email Terry Quinn at tquinn@texastribune.org with any questions. We can't wait to hear from you!