Los Angeles Local News Initiative
Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles Local News Initiative, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
About LA Local News Initiative
Los Angeles Local News Initiative (LALNI) is a visionary, philanthropically driven media startup designed to disrupt traditional local news models by addressing the diverse needs of LA's communities. Recognizing that no single news entity can fully serve all Angelenos, LALNI aims to create a more inclusive news ecosystem that fosters civic engagement, accountability, and community investment.
Founded in 2024, LALNI is a coalition of over two dozen organizations and philanthropists working together to support local news. Guided by input from nearly 900 LA residents, this coalition represents a groundbreaking collaboration between philanthropy, media, and community organizations to fill information gaps, strengthen local democracy, and better serve Angelenos.
LALNI emphasizes equity and representation, ensuring news coverage reflects and serves the city's unique cultural landscape. With a mission to foster community cohesion and empower local voices, LALNI aspires to be a unifying force that strengthens LA's civic fabric.
Our Values
Free, Independent Local Press:
We believe all Angelenos deserve to have a source of unbiased information that equips them to thrive in their daily lives. Our work will meet high journalism standards, be independent, non-partisan, and free to access. We’ll prioritize reaching as many Angelenos as possible, in the most effective ways possible.
Community-first:
We center the needs of local communities, with an ultimate goal to strengthen communities and make LA work better for Angelenos. Journalism should be focused on serving people most affected by the subject matter and equipping them to take action.
Equity & Inclusion:
We need a representative, equitable, and inclusive local press. Newsrooms should be representative of the communities they cover, shift narratives to be centered on community perspectives, and provide pathways into newsgathering for residents.
Trust:
We believe that building trust must be a core principle of our journalism. As a baseline, the journalism we support must be accurate, independent, unbiased, non-partisan, and a trusted source of shared facts by the communities we serve.
The Opportunity
The LA Local News Initiative is seeking a founding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the development of this start-up nonprofit news organization serving Los Angeles with the timely, factual, and relevant news residents need to participate and thrive in their communities.
The successful candidate will be a strategic leader, passionate about independent journalism as an essential public service, and someone who approaches their work with a deep commitment to collaboration, a can-do spirit, and a healthy combination of humility and aspiration. Cultivating relationships, building a team, and navigating both the potential and the ambiguity inherent in a start-up, the CEO will be energized by problem-solving and excited to “build the plane as we fly it.”
The CEO will lead strategic planning to build a sustainable, local, community-focused organization and be at the forefront of the movement to expand non-profit, trusted journalism in Los Angeles for underserved audiences, while respecting and collaborating with existing media organizations. They will coordinate the organization’s fundraising efforts across a diverse mix of revenue streams, and build the financial, human resources, and administrative infrastructure to support fast-paced growth while cultivating an inclusive and equitable organizational culture. As a partner for the editorial team, which will report to the CEO, they will be a champion for newsrooms in the organization, maintaining relationships with funders and sponsors, while protecting the independence of the team.
Candidate Profile
The CEO will be a mission-driven leader with strong community ties and a deep appreciation for journalism’s role in a healthy democracy. A deep understanding of Los Angeles’ unique challenges and a passion for fostering a more equitable and engaged media landscape are key.
The ideal candidate will have many of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and competencies:
Visionary and Entrepreneurial Leadership:
This role requires a visionary leader skilled in navigating the uncertainties of a new venture while focusing on long-term sustainability. With executive experience in nonprofits, media, or for-profit sectors, the CEO will craft a bold strategy to establish the organization as a trusted news source, while managing the challenges of building from the ground up. They will also work closely with a high-performing Board of Directors, leveraging their expertise to ensure strong governance and organizational growth.
Fundraising Expertise and External Relations:
The ideal candidate will have extensive fundraising experience with a proven ability to secure support from foundations, individual donors, corporate sponsors, and government grants. Skilled at advocating for the importance of local news, they will effectively communicate the organization's mission to potential funders and stakeholders.
Operations Excellence and Business Acumen:
The ideal candidate will have strong operations management skills, ensuring the organization runs efficiently at all levels. With a solid grasp of business principles, they will implement scalable processes to support rapid growth while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability.
Relationship Builder, Collaborator, and Community Advocate:
The CEO will excel at building trust and collaboration among Board Members, staff, funders, and community partners. Their collaborative leadership style will ensure strategies reflect diverse community perspectives.
Exceptional Communication Skills:
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for articulating the organization’s vision, building stakeholder relationships, and inspiring the team.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Vision:Work with the organization’s Executive Editor and Board to develop a five-year strategic plan. Ensure that diversity is a key part of the organization’s framework, and that equity and inclusion are ingrained in the organization’s strategic vision.
General Management:Ensure the organization’s day-to-day operations and programs are professionally and efficiently administered. Develop, manage, and provide oversight of the startup’s operating budget; ensure that financial systems, budgets, and planning strategies accurately reflect the financial realities of the organization.
Fundraising and Revenue:Develop and implement a long-term funding and sustainability plan for the organization. Manage the organization’s fundraising pipeline, including funding from foundations, major donors, and underwriters.
Board Relations and Development:Serve as a contact for the organization with its Board of Directors and be evaluated by benchmarks created by the Board. Engage and update the Board of Directors on matters related to revenue and operations.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000- $250,000 with a generous benefits package.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by visiting https://apptrkr.com/5630998 or emailing the search team directly at LALNI_CEO@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.
The Los Angeles Local News Initiative is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. We encourage people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Los Angeles Local News Initiative (LALNI) is a visionary, philanthropically driven media startup designed to disrupt traditional local news models by addressing the diverse needs of LA's communities. Recognizing that no single news entity can fully serve all Angelenos, LALNI aims to create a more inclusive news ecosystem that fosters civic engagement, accountability, and community investment.
Founded in 2024, LALNI is a coalition of over two dozen organizations and philanthropists working together to support local news. Guided by input from nearly 900 LA residents, this coalition represents a groundbreaking collaboration between philanthropy, media, and community organizations to fill information gaps, strengthen local democracy, and better serve Angelenos.
LALNI emphasizes equity and representation, ensuring news coverage reflects and serves the city's unique cultural landscape. With a mission to foster community cohesion and empower local voices, LALNI aspires to be a unifying force that strengthens LA's civic fabric.
Our Values
Free, Independent Local Press:
We believe all Angelenos deserve to have a source of unbiased information that equips them to thrive in their daily lives. Our work will meet high journalism standards, be independent, non-partisan, and free to access. We’ll prioritize reaching as many Angelenos as possible, in the most effective ways possible.
Community-first:
We center the needs of local communities, with an ultimate goal to strengthen communities and make LA work better for Angelenos. Journalism should be focused on serving people most affected by the subject matter and equipping them to take action.
Equity & Inclusion:
We need a representative, equitable, and inclusive local press. Newsrooms should be representative of the communities they cover, shift narratives to be centered on community perspectives, and provide pathways into newsgathering for residents.
Trust:
We believe that building trust must be a core principle of our journalism. As a baseline, the journalism we support must be accurate, independent, unbiased, non-partisan, and a trusted source of shared facts by the communities we serve.
The Opportunity
The LA Local News Initiative is seeking a founding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the development of this start-up nonprofit news organization serving Los Angeles with the timely, factual, and relevant news residents need to participate and thrive in their communities.
The successful candidate will be a strategic leader, passionate about independent journalism as an essential public service, and someone who approaches their work with a deep commitment to collaboration, a can-do spirit, and a healthy combination of humility and aspiration. Cultivating relationships, building a team, and navigating both the potential and the ambiguity inherent in a start-up, the CEO will be energized by problem-solving and excited to “build the plane as we fly it.”
The CEO will lead strategic planning to build a sustainable, local, community-focused organization and be at the forefront of the movement to expand non-profit, trusted journalism in Los Angeles for underserved audiences, while respecting and collaborating with existing media organizations. They will coordinate the organization’s fundraising efforts across a diverse mix of revenue streams, and build the financial, human resources, and administrative infrastructure to support fast-paced growth while cultivating an inclusive and equitable organizational culture. As a partner for the editorial team, which will report to the CEO, they will be a champion for newsrooms in the organization, maintaining relationships with funders and sponsors, while protecting the independence of the team.
Candidate Profile
The CEO will be a mission-driven leader with strong community ties and a deep appreciation for journalism’s role in a healthy democracy. A deep understanding of Los Angeles’ unique challenges and a passion for fostering a more equitable and engaged media landscape are key.
The ideal candidate will have many of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and competencies:
Visionary and Entrepreneurial Leadership:
This role requires a visionary leader skilled in navigating the uncertainties of a new venture while focusing on long-term sustainability. With executive experience in nonprofits, media, or for-profit sectors, the CEO will craft a bold strategy to establish the organization as a trusted news source, while managing the challenges of building from the ground up. They will also work closely with a high-performing Board of Directors, leveraging their expertise to ensure strong governance and organizational growth.
Fundraising Expertise and External Relations:
The ideal candidate will have extensive fundraising experience with a proven ability to secure support from foundations, individual donors, corporate sponsors, and government grants. Skilled at advocating for the importance of local news, they will effectively communicate the organization's mission to potential funders and stakeholders.
Operations Excellence and Business Acumen:
The ideal candidate will have strong operations management skills, ensuring the organization runs efficiently at all levels. With a solid grasp of business principles, they will implement scalable processes to support rapid growth while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability.
Relationship Builder, Collaborator, and Community Advocate:
The CEO will excel at building trust and collaboration among Board Members, staff, funders, and community partners. Their collaborative leadership style will ensure strategies reflect diverse community perspectives.
Exceptional Communication Skills:
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for articulating the organization’s vision, building stakeholder relationships, and inspiring the team.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Vision:Work with the organization’s Executive Editor and Board to develop a five-year strategic plan. Ensure that diversity is a key part of the organization’s framework, and that equity and inclusion are ingrained in the organization’s strategic vision.
General Management:Ensure the organization’s day-to-day operations and programs are professionally and efficiently administered. Develop, manage, and provide oversight of the startup’s operating budget; ensure that financial systems, budgets, and planning strategies accurately reflect the financial realities of the organization.
Fundraising and Revenue:Develop and implement a long-term funding and sustainability plan for the organization. Manage the organization’s fundraising pipeline, including funding from foundations, major donors, and underwriters.
Board Relations and Development:Serve as a contact for the organization with its Board of Directors and be evaluated by benchmarks created by the Board. Engage and update the Board of Directors on matters related to revenue and operations.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000- $250,000 with a generous benefits package.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by visiting https://apptrkr.com/5630998 or emailing the search team directly at LALNI_CEO@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.
The Los Angeles Local News Initiative is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. We encourage people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr