Chicago Women in Philanthropy
Executive Director | The Investigative Project on Race and Equity
Chicago Women in Philanthropy, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Executive Director | The Investigative Project on Race and Equity
Posted: 11/13/2025 | Needed: January 2026 | City: Chicago, IL | Country: United States | Category: Non-Profit | Salary: yearly | Type: Full-Time | Experience: 5‑10 years | Education: Bachelor’s
About The Organization The Investigative Project on Race and Equity is a mission-driven nonprofit news organization committed to producing impactful investigative journalism through collaboration, data analysis, and a focus on racial and social equity. In addition to reporting, the organization invests in training the next generation of journalists—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—through mentorship, hands‑on experience, and professional development.
About The Position The full‑time executive director manages the operational and financial aspects of the organization. Duties include supervising staff, budgeting, preparing accurate financial reports for the Board of Directors, and overseeing communications, collaborations, training and fundraising activities. The executive director reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with an advisory council of volunteers. The position requires Chicago area residence and has four direct reports: Director of Engagement, Training Coordinator, Editorial Director, and a development consultant.
Staff Oversight
Supporting and supervising staff; ensuring they feel valued and connected to the organization’s mission; fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing work culture.
Working with the editorial director and audience engagement teams to refine editorial policy and goals and increase readership for high-quality, trusted reporting that distinguishes the organization and enhances its brand.
Supporting editorial leaders and staff in the design, implementation and management of newsroom operations that produce impactful accountability journalism.
Assisting the Training Coordinator in implementing and managing training initiatives that prepare journalists to produce impactful accountability reporting.
Ensuring diversity is key to the organization’s framework and that equity and inclusion are ingrained in hiring, retention and compensation.
Promoting a culture that stimulates open communication and supports collaboration.
Financial Management
Creating and executing a plan that addresses long‑term funding and sustainability through a diverse mix of revenue streams, including individual gifts, grants and earned income such as sponsorships, events and memberships.
Overseeing risk mitigation, ensuring adequate financial controls and meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
Setting benchmarks for program spending and delivery that reflect financial realities and ensure fiscal stability; managing day‑to‑day operations with transparency, accountability and consistency.
Communications and Stewardship
Participating in and leading meetings and communications with stakeholders, media partners, donors and the public to raise the profile of the organization and its work.
Board Relations
Working collaboratively with the president of the Board of Directors and chair of the Advisory Council to meet organizational objectives.
Performing administrative functions—scheduling meetings, managing calendars and invites, maintaining internal databases—and preparing records for ongoing reports used by the board, in grant management, donor stewardship and brand strategy.
Qualifications
Five or more years of experience managing a nonprofit organization, including fundraising.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Basic bookkeeping and accounting skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
Ability to set up and manage systems for efficient operation.
Experience with and commitment to investigative and data journalism.
Competencies
Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of leaders.
Excellent oral and written communication skills for multiple audiences.
Commitment to maintaining high standards of accuracy, integrity and honesty.
Compensation and Benefits Salary: $100,000 per year. Benefits include four weeks of paid vacation (two weeks off at the year‑end), health‑care, vision and dental coverage, a flexible schedule, and a hybrid work arrangement. Chicago area residence is required.
How to Apply Applicants should complete the form available at mortengroup.com/executive-placements/ipre, submitting a cover letter and resume in PDF format by Friday, December 5, 2025. Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample. Only applicants invited to a screening interview will be contacted between December 12 and December 22, 2025.
Equal Opportunity Statement The Project encourages individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, veteran/military status, unfavorable discharge, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The Project prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, including discrimination because of any one of the protected statuses listed above.
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About The Organization The Investigative Project on Race and Equity is a mission-driven nonprofit news organization committed to producing impactful investigative journalism through collaboration, data analysis, and a focus on racial and social equity. In addition to reporting, the organization invests in training the next generation of journalists—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—through mentorship, hands‑on experience, and professional development.
About The Position The full‑time executive director manages the operational and financial aspects of the organization. Duties include supervising staff, budgeting, preparing accurate financial reports for the Board of Directors, and overseeing communications, collaborations, training and fundraising activities. The executive director reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with an advisory council of volunteers. The position requires Chicago area residence and has four direct reports: Director of Engagement, Training Coordinator, Editorial Director, and a development consultant.
Staff Oversight
Supporting and supervising staff; ensuring they feel valued and connected to the organization’s mission; fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing work culture.
Working with the editorial director and audience engagement teams to refine editorial policy and goals and increase readership for high-quality, trusted reporting that distinguishes the organization and enhances its brand.
Supporting editorial leaders and staff in the design, implementation and management of newsroom operations that produce impactful accountability journalism.
Assisting the Training Coordinator in implementing and managing training initiatives that prepare journalists to produce impactful accountability reporting.
Ensuring diversity is key to the organization’s framework and that equity and inclusion are ingrained in hiring, retention and compensation.
Promoting a culture that stimulates open communication and supports collaboration.
Financial Management
Creating and executing a plan that addresses long‑term funding and sustainability through a diverse mix of revenue streams, including individual gifts, grants and earned income such as sponsorships, events and memberships.
Overseeing risk mitigation, ensuring adequate financial controls and meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
Setting benchmarks for program spending and delivery that reflect financial realities and ensure fiscal stability; managing day‑to‑day operations with transparency, accountability and consistency.
Communications and Stewardship
Participating in and leading meetings and communications with stakeholders, media partners, donors and the public to raise the profile of the organization and its work.
Board Relations
Working collaboratively with the president of the Board of Directors and chair of the Advisory Council to meet organizational objectives.
Performing administrative functions—scheduling meetings, managing calendars and invites, maintaining internal databases—and preparing records for ongoing reports used by the board, in grant management, donor stewardship and brand strategy.
Qualifications
Five or more years of experience managing a nonprofit organization, including fundraising.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Basic bookkeeping and accounting skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
Ability to set up and manage systems for efficient operation.
Experience with and commitment to investigative and data journalism.
Competencies
Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of leaders.
Excellent oral and written communication skills for multiple audiences.
Commitment to maintaining high standards of accuracy, integrity and honesty.
Compensation and Benefits Salary: $100,000 per year. Benefits include four weeks of paid vacation (two weeks off at the year‑end), health‑care, vision and dental coverage, a flexible schedule, and a hybrid work arrangement. Chicago area residence is required.
How to Apply Applicants should complete the form available at mortengroup.com/executive-placements/ipre, submitting a cover letter and resume in PDF format by Friday, December 5, 2025. Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample. Only applicants invited to a screening interview will be contacted between December 12 and December 22, 2025.
Equal Opportunity Statement The Project encourages individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, veteran/military status, unfavorable discharge, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The Project prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, including discrimination because of any one of the protected statuses listed above.
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