The Nebraska Journalism Trust seeks a motivated, innovative sales professional to join our fast-growing nonprofit news organization, which runs the Flatwater Free Press, Silicon Prairie News and Nebraska Documenters program. As this entrepreneurial leader, you will help us grow and expand our charitable sponsorship and earned revenue, including digital advertising and event sponsorships across our editorial brands. You will identify and evaluate partnerships and opportunities for new products we may pursue. You will shape strategy. Build processes. And then execute.
You will not be alone in this endeavor. This position will work closely with the Executive Director in exploring opportunities and identifying potential partnerships. As a member of the leadership team, you will work alongside other editorial and revenue leaders to achieve the organization’s goals.
The Nebraska Journalism Trust is a 3-year old startup with programs that have won national acclaim. Named Startup of the Year by the Institute of Nonprofit News, the Flatwater Free Press has won several national and regional awards for its enterprising journalism that celebrates the best of Nebraska and holds truth to power. Silicon Prairie News, acquired by the Trust in 2023, connects and engages our state’s entrepreneurial community. Nebraska Documenters, currently in Omaha, trains and pays citizens to cover the meetings where democracy plays out every day. We intend to expand the program to other communities across the state in 2025.
All of our work is distributed under a Creative Commons license that allows other outlets to publish our work. We also have our own websites, social media presence and newsletter products. Events, from the Flatwater Festival to Silicon Prairie Startup Week to listening tours and “journalism on stage” throughout the year, are another key leg of our engagement strategy – replete with untapped sponsorship opportunities. The successful candidate for this job will have demonstrated experience in digital media sales, experience with digital publishing platforms, and the ability to build and operationalize strategies including the creation of related workflows and systems, such as inventory management and the stewardship of sponsors and ad partners. We would welcome experience conceiving of and securing earned revenue or sponsorships for events.
This position will work in tandem with members of both the Advancement and Operations team. Management experience is strongly preferred, as this person will be creating the foundation for a growing team they will lead. The position is based at the organization’s headquarters in downtown Omaha and requires some in-office work with the possibility of a hybrid schedule. It also requires regular travel within Nebraska. This is a full-time position eligible for health, dental, vision, retirement and paid time off.
Pay: Base rate of $65-$80,000. A bonus structure after meeting base goals can increase the total compensation package.
Key Qualifications:
The Nebraska Journalism Trust is committed to building an inclusive team that reflects the full diversity of communities throughout Nebraska. Members of traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. The list below is meant to provide a general overview of qualifications; people with nontraditional educational and career paths are also encouraged to apply:
- Experience in sales, with a strong preference for digital media sales
- Passion in the mission and power of local news
- Strong relationship building and prospecting skills
- Ability to set, meet and report out progress towards sales goals
- Focus on customer service
- Closing skills
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
- Desire to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial startup environment
- Committed to positive, collaborative work relationships