Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

• Chicago Public Media
• March 15, 2024
• Chicago, IL

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About Chicago Public Media

Home to the Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and Vocalo, Chicago Public Media (‘CPM’) is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 4.4 million people across broadcast, print, and digital platforms each week. As a mission-driven organization, Chicago Public Media aspires to become the essential and most trusted news source Chicago turns to each day to understand the people, events, and ideas that shape America’s third-largest metropolitan community.

is Chicago’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes, the Sun-Times is known for capturing the spirit and diverse essence of America’s third largest city. Over the years, it has also been home to such nationally celebrated voices as Roger Ebert, Ann Landers, and Mike Royko. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on delivering its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on to expand access to its journalism and shift to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.

is Chicago’s NPR news source and one of the largest and most respected public media stations in the country. WBEZ’s award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers, and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. Its programming includes local, national, and international news, a wide-ranging portfolio of popular podcasts, and the urban alternative music service, .

Throughout its history, WBEZ has had a legacy of innovation as the birthplace of some of the most iconic shows in public media, including This American Life, Serial, and Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me. With more than 86,000 members, WBEZ actively engages the community through its journalism and programming, as well as more than 50 live events and community engagement activities each year.

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. The organization serves the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. It connects diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region, and the world.

For more information, see the .

Bold Combination, Exciting Vision, Essential Mission

Backed by an unprecedented philanthropic commitment of $61 million, Chicago Public Media acquired the Chicago Sun-Times in 2022. The Sun-Times has a staff of 162, including a team of 60 reporters, serving a paid print circulation of 40,000 home delivery and 12,000 single copy sales and a weekly digital audience of nearly 1.2 million visitors. It operates within Chicago Public Media as a separate 501(c)(3) with its own Board of Directors. With an annual budget of approximately $42 million, the Sun-Times derives revenues from a mix of digital and print advertising, as well as newsstand sales, subscriptions, sponsorships, philanthropy, and a nascent membership program.

WBEZ serves audiences across broadcast, podcast, web, and email platforms. Its broadcast audience reaches nearly 420,000 listeners each week and its flagship daily e-newsletter, The Rundown, boasts more than 470,000 subscribers. Launched in 2006, Vocalo’s audio streams provide urban alternative music and stories 24 / 7. Its weekly arts newsletter, The Goods, has grown to more than 50,000 subscribers. Together, WBEZ and Vocalo have a staff of 160 and an annual budget of approximately $30 million. Membership, philanthropy, and corporate underwriting make up the majority of revenues. A vibrant live events and community engagement series produces a diverse array of more than 50 events throughout the year and generates a smaller, but growing source of additional revenues.

Chicago Public Media recently embarked on an ambitious strategic plan to produce impactful journalism that reaches a large, representative audience and is sustainably funded. The plan identifies four core strategic priorities for the organization :

These four core priorities link to 12 strategic initiatives that will drive CPM’s digital transformation as it looks to the future. The organization has committed additional dollars to accelerate this digital transformation, including investments in content production, technology and product management, and monetization. In doing so, CPM seeks to leverage the tremendous journalism, audiences, and revenue streams of its legacy print and broadcast channels into a dynamic engine of growth and service across digital platforms.

As part of that effort, Chicago Public Media recently completed an ambitious and visionary overhaul of its core production studios. These completely redesigned and fully integrated studios allow journalists and producers across platforms to produce and distribute the highest quality multimedia content, from live broadcasts and podcasts, to film and video, to arts and culture performances. These investments, along with the recent acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times, have unleashed new excitement about the possibilities for local journalism in Chicago and across the country.

As the largest non-profit news organization in the nation, Chicago Public Media not only has the opportunity to significantly expand its service and impact in Chicago, it has the opportunity to serve as a national model for robust, sustainable, multiplatform local journalism elsewhere.

With a diverse and talented team of award-winning journalists, new state-of the- art production studios, strong brand recognition, and tremendous Board and philanthropic support, Chicago Public Media is well positioned to soar to new heights in this next chapter.

The Opportunity

As the organization moves into its next phase of growth, integration, and execution, CPM is seeking highly experienced, strategic, and mission-driven CEO to lead a new era of journalistic innovation, impact, and sustainability in the Chicago region. The next CEO will relish the opportunity to lead a large, multiplatform news organization with a proud history and an ambition to serve more Chicagoans than ever before.

Reporting to the CPM Board of Directors, the CEO will provide vision and leadership for CPM in service of its mission and is responsible for the overall strategic, financial, and cultural success of the organization. Importantly, the new CEO will be expected to unlock the full potential of the Sun-Times and WBEZ collaboration by developing and articulating a cohesive vision and a clear plan to more fully integrate the operations of each organization, achieving journalistic excellence and financial sustainability in the digital age.

Key responsibilities of the CEO include, among others :

Strategic Leadership

Operational Leadership

Human Leadership

Fundraising & Revenue Generation

Direct reports to the CEO currently include the Chief Content Officer; Chief Financial Officer; Chief Product Officer; Chief Advancement Officer; Chief People Officer; VP of Advertising & Sponsorships; VP, General Counsel & Assistant Secretary; Vice President of Circulation; and Director of Marketing.

Candidate Profile

While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile :

An Exceptional People Leader & Inclusive Culture Builder

This leader will :

A Strategic Leader with a Strong Growth & Results Orientation

This leader will :

An Experienced, Dynamic Ambassador & Fundraiser

This leader will :

A Commitment to the Mission of Public Service Journalism & the Chicagoland Region

This leader will :

For more information, including salary information, please download the position profile.