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Staff Positions

Leadership and Operations

Director of Audience and Engagement (part-time, remote)
Membership Manager (full-time, remote)

Newsroom

Democracy Reporter (full-time, remote)

Director of Audience and Engagement

The director of audience and engagement works across Carolina Public Press to create and advance proven and innovative strategies designed to attract and engage new audiences to CPP’s nonpartisan, in-depth and investigative reporting for North Carolina.

A member of the organization’s leadership team, the director of audience and engagement reports  to the executive director and works closely with the E.D. and the Fund Development Team to support audience development and fundraising projects, while also working closely with the CPP news team to understand and further the organization’s news priorities and promote the organization’s brand of independent, nonpartisan journalism to North Carolina and beyond.

Responsibilities

  • Work with the executive director and director of development to implement focused results-driven strategies to grow Carolina Public Press audiences, with a specific focus on subscribers to free current and proposed digital products. This includes devising external outreach activities through public relations, social media and partnerships.
  • Use best practice in audience development, engagement and fundraising to educate a variety of North Carolina audiences about Carolina Public Press, its mission, its activities and how the organization benefits communities and to foster audience growth and increase charitable giving. Part of this responsibility includes monitoring the use, and exploring new functionality, of various ways that news aggregators (such as Apple News and Newsbreak) can extend CPP readership.
  • Work closely with the newsroom to assist in garnering maximum visibility for CPP’s journalism, using brand building and other strategies and tactics to enhance the public’s understanding of the Carolina Public Press mission.
  • Identify and implement ways to engage with community partners on in-person and web-based events.
  • Oversee, with the community engagement manager, and create content and develop, test and coordinate the use of new and existing news products, including focused email newsletters and campaigns, SMS texting, social media and other digital outreach.
  • Serve as the organization’s liaison with a web contractor and the website platform developer to keep abreast of updates to web functionality and design.
  • Manage other staff of the engagement team and ensure the team is working toward meeting collective performance goals.

Qualifications

Candidates should have 3-5 years of experience in generating audience, including experience with developing and producing email newsletter and marketing campaigns;  understanding and analyzing Google Analytics; and managing social media platforms,  including targeted paid social boosts. Experience with Mailchimp, including campaign development, segmenting and reports, is a requirement. Candidates should be able to  think innovatively, meet deadlines without sacrificing quality and details, and work collaboratively. Experience with outside public relations work, including producing external marketing materials such as press releases, annual reports and other materials required. Experience generating revenue for newsrooms is a plus.

Position details

The audience and engagement director is a part-time staff position. The director of audience and engagement does not have to be based at the Carolina Public Press main office in Asheville, N.C., but the ideal candidate would be based in North Carolina. Remote work on a flexible schedule available.

The salary range for this part-time (20 hours a week) position is $30,000 – $40,000, based on experience, education and potential.

CPP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring employees from diverse backgrounds. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ and differently abled people are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Executive Director Angie Newsome at anewsome@carolinapublicpress.org and include “Director of Audience and Engagement” in the email subject line.

To apply: To apply, you must submit your application via this form. The job will remain open until the best candidate is located, but we anticipate making an offer by April 15, 2023. Apply now.

Membership Manager

If you’re an experienced membership program professional who wants to grow an engaged and committed group of nonprofit news supporters using a creative and metrics-driven approach, we want to talk with you.

Carolina Public Press seeks a membership manager to lead our high-growth, small-dollar fundraising program and build a mid-level giving program for donors who have the capacity to give more. 

The successful candidate will be a goal-oriented self-starter with a creative bent who thrives in a fast-paced, team environment. Ideally, you’re an avid news consumer, you understand how to effectively use data and metrics to make sound decisions and you’re an exceptional writer and communicator. You also are able to work across departments to develop and implement joint projects.

Fast Facts:

  • Value proposition: Carolina Public Press is the only wholly independent nonpartisan statewide nonprofit news organization devoted to investigative journalism in the public interest in North Carolina.
  • Established: 2011
  • Annual budget: $993,000
  • Sustaining members: 550

Location: Remote

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Membership Program 

  • Helps fund the mission of CPP through membership acquisition, retention and cultivation.
  • Collaborate with the development team and the audience engagement team to design and implement a multifaceted membership program.
  • Manage the recruitment, acknowledgment, fulfillment of benefits, renewal and stewardship of members to higher levels of support.
  • Oversee a variety of membership projects including member events, direct mail campaigns and digital communications (i.e. website and social media presence geared toward members).
  • Work with third-party vendors, including but not limited to News Revenue Hub.
  • Respond to member inquiries and requests promptly.
  • Develop a comprehensive strategy across all platforms and a variety of tactics to solicit new members from our audience.
  • Work with news product software, including email systems, to engage and inform members.
  • Work with the audience development team to ensure the website is maximizing giving opportunities.
  • Work with the audience development team to analyze data and identify the most effective and efficient donor acquisition strategies.
  • Track renewal rates and adjust the strategy as needed. 
  • Contact donors directly to thank them for their support and encourage their renewal. Serve as member support or concierge to build a relationship with donors.
  • Work across the organization to keep donation opportunities featured and visible. Maximize membership rates across all audiences. 
  • Develop membership incentive programs and perks such as member events and swag campaigns to encourage acquisitions, retention and renewals. 
  • Assist with the development and implementation of a mid-level donor program that targets members who have the capacity to give. 
  • Assist with development department materials events and mailings as needed.

Performance will be evaluated on the ability to meet revenue goals, newsletter growth targets, percentage of donors who are recurring vs. one-time donors, and the number of donors who renew and increase their giving year-on-year.

QUALIFICATIONS/QUALITIES

  • Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational and time management skills;
  • Responsive, tactful and professional and possessing a member-centric mindset;
  • Tech-savvy and data-driven; 
  • Digital content experience is highly desired;
  • Experience using SalesForce and MailChimp preferred; 
  • Experience using analytics tools (Google Analytics preferred) and integrating learnings into organizational decision-making;
  • Audience/membership related experience — ideally in managing multi-channel campaigns (acquisition, retention, upgrades) as revenue streams;
  • Creative thinker and problem solver;
  • Passionate, high-energy and perceptive;
  • Experience leveraging technology in your workflow i.e, CRM database, cloud-based collaboration, email marketing, spreadsheets, videoconferencing, cloud-based project management, etc.;
  • You are committed to diversity and inclusion, and its value in the workplace;
  • You care about and believe in the critical role that public service journalism plays in our democracy; and
  • Bachelor’s degree required.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the director of development and can be based anywhere in the United States, with typical work days being 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST. Travel and some nights/weekends will be required.

Along with the opportunity to do meaningful work with an award-winning team, Carolina Public Press offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 95% paid primary health care plan; access to additional coverage including life insurance and accident plans; generous vacation leave and paid holidays; professional development opportunities; and flexible work hours in a remote environment.

The salary range for this position is $52,000-$60,000, based on experience, education and potential.

CPP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring employees from diverse backgrounds. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ and differently abled people are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Director of Development Lisa Lopez at llopez@carolinapublicpress.org and include “Membership Manager” in the email subject line.

To apply: To apply, you must submit your application via this form. The job will remain open until the best candidate is located, but we anticipate making an offer by April 15, 2023. Apply now.

Democracy Reporter

Carolina Public Press seeks a full-time staff democracy reporter to join our award-winning nonprofit organization that is dedicated to independent, in-depth and investigative news in the public interest serving all of North Carolina.

The ideal candidate will have at least 2-4 years of experience in government or political reporting and proven experience in a collaborative environment using digital and traditional news gathering techniques. This reporter will produce statewide in-depth reporting for Carolina Public Press, with a focus on under-covered and overlooked areas of the state, including rural North Carolina. The position may be remote and the reporter may be based anywhere in North Carolina. 

We have seen small town, small city and rural voters shape national politics and the public, media and political agenda. Political interests are still invested heavily in rural voters – voters who  are often on the receiving end of communication strategies to spread disinformation and ignite fears that deepen urban-rural divides. 

The reporter in this position is moved to find and tell these stories with the understanding that covering threats to democracy in North Carolina may lead to increased accountability, greater civic participation and a public that is better informed about issues that impact all North Carolinians.

 Coverage could include the following:

  • Analysis of local, state and federal elections results and voter turnout numbers
  • Regular reporting on local, state and federal legislation related to elections and voting
  • Voter guides and candidate profiles
  • Research of campaign finances
  • Reporting on voting barriers especially those in underrepresented communities
  • Investigations on gerrymandering, fraud, extremism and other threats to democracy and voter access
  • Work collaboratively with other CPP reporters and/or with reporters in other newsrooms to produce far-reaching coverage of elections, voting and threats to democracy
  • Opportunities to work on investigative stories and packages, both as the primary reporter and in collaboration with other CPP reporters and other media organizations

For this position we’re looking for someone who:

  • Has reported and produced original, balanced and engaging daily, short-term and long-term reporting covering topics related to democracy.
  • Has experience and is open to all the possible ways of doing journalism, engaging readers, and telling stories in a way that is accessible, inclusive and innovative.
  • Really likes working with others; isn’t afraid to disagree, but is highly collaborative, both across our teams and with other news organizations.
  • Respects and actively works to meet deadlines, editorial workflows and guidelines.
  • Has a “yes and” attitude for finding solutions.
  • Can report and craft stories using a racial equity lens and inclusiveness in sourcing and reporting. 
  • Can analyze data, especially from government sources, and pursue public records regularly.
  • Use innovative ways to inform and engage current and potential voters in democracy. Ideas include “toolkits” explaining how we got the story and how to use/replicate the story at the local, regional or statewide level or surveys that “test” knowledge of democracy principles and practices.
  • Be familiar with local, state and federal laws related to voting and elections.

We’re seeking a team member who:

  • Thinks creatively about how to tell stories related to the history and current state of elections and voting;
  • Has knowledge of or is highly motivated to learn the political history and elections processes in North Carolina;
  • Has strong news gathering, source development, data analysis and writing skills;
  • Shows initiative to find holes in existing reporting, to pursue new and revealing angles and to find what’s going overlooked and under-reported;
  • Is a professional communicator within the news team and across the organization and can understand the overall mission, goals and values of the organization;
  • Displays a positive attitude, shows concern for people and community, and demonstrates self-confidence, compassion, common sense and good listening;
  • Seeks opportunities to learn from, offer resources to and collaborate with other reporters and organizations across the state and nation;
  • Has a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and training; and
  • Has at least 2-4 years of professional journalism experience covering local, regional or statewide government.

Not required, but preferred skills include:

  • Deep community ties to and/or knowledge of North Carolina;
  • Familiarity with the nonprofit news sector and how it is different from for-profit news organizations; and
  • Proficiency in Spanish.

This full-time exempt position reports to the editor-in-chief.

We recognize that you may be an excellent candidate even when your expertise may be different from what we’ve described or envisioned for this position. Everyone is different, and you do not have to satisfy all requirements to be considered for this job. Carolina Public Press is very interested in reflecting the communities we serve and encourages women, people of color, those living with disabilities, those from rural communities, and others from underrepresented communities in the traditional media to apply. Along with the opportunity to do meaningful work with an award-winning team, Carolina Public Press offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 95% paid primary health care plan; access to additional coverage including life insurance and accident plans; generous vacation leave and paid holidays; and professional development opportunities.

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000, based on experience, education and potential. If you have questions about this position, please contact Editor-in-Chief Kara Andrade at kandrade@carolinapublicpress.org with “Democracy Reporter” in the subject line.

To apply: To apply, you must submit your application via this form. The position will remain open until it is filled; however we are aiming to make an offer by April 15, 2023, with a negotiable start date. Apply now.

Freelance Opportunities

Carolina Public Press welcomes inquiries from professional freelance journalists and photojournalists residing in North Carolina.

Ready to submit a story idea? Submit it through our pitch form.

Contributing democracy reporter(s)

Carolina Public Press, a nonprofit, nonpartisan online news organization focused on in-depth and investigative journalism in the public interest, seeks talented contributing writers to enhance our coverage of democracy issues in North Carolina. Applicants should live in North Carolina, have a college degree and news media experience. Reporters with a predominance of experience working for advocacy organizations or advocacy news organizations are not eligible. Our pay rates are competitive, and we will keep this writer busy. Those interested should email careers@carolinapublicpress.org, with the subject line of Freelance Democracy Reporter. Include a resume, two or three examples of your best recently published work and a cover letter describing why you’re interested. Also note any special areas of knowledge or interest. Incomplete applications will not be considered. [Rolling deadline.]

Ready to pitch us a story in this area? Use our pitch form now.

Contributing state government reporter(s)

Carolina Public Press, a nonprofit, nonpartisan online news organization focused on in-depth and investigative journalism in the public interest, seeks talented contributing writers to enhance our coverage of state government, what’s happening in Raleigh and how it affects our readers. Applicants should be based in or live close to the Triangle, have a college degree and news media experience. Reporters with a predominance of experience working for advocacy organizations or advocacy news organizations are not eligible. Our pay rates are competitive, and we will keep this writer busy. Those interested should email careers@carolinapublicpress.org, with the subject line of Freelance State Government Reporter. Include a resume, two or three examples of your best recently published work and a cover letter describing why you’re interested. Also note any special areas of knowledge or interest. Incomplete applications will not be considered. [Rolling deadline.]

Ready to pitch us a story in this area? Use our pitch form now.

Contributing reporter(s), general assignment

Carolina Public Press, a nonprofit, nonpartisan online news organization focused on in-depth and investigative journalism in the public interest, seeks professional freelance journalists to join its North Carolina team. We’re based in Asheville, but assignments may be handled by writers living anywhere in North Carolina. Applicants should have a college degree and some experience working in the news media. Reporters with a predominance of experience in and/or are currently working for advocacy organizations or advocacy news organizations are not eligible. Our pay rates are competitive and we will keep writers who show they can produce high-quality work and meet deadlines busy. Those interested should email careers@carolinapublicpress.org, with the subject line of Freelance Reporter. Include a resume, two or three examples of your best recently published work and a cover letter describing why you’re interested. Also note any special areas of knowledge or interest. Incomplete applications will not be considered. [Rolling deadline.]

Ready to pitch us a story in this area? Use our pitch form now.

Internship Opportunities

Carolina Public Press is an independent nonprofit news organization dedicated to nonpartisan, in-depth and investigative news built upon the facts and context North Carolinians need to know right now. Our award-winning, breakthrough journalism breaks down barriers and shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing our state’s 10.5 million residents.

Carolina Public Press is a highly efficient, fast-paced news organization. We’re online, but we aren’t opinion bloggers or advocacy journalists. We have received national, regional and local support and recognition for our high-quality, unbiased, in-depth and investigative reporting. 

We are members of Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Institute for Nonprofit News and the N.C. Press Association.

We offer a variety of internship opportunities, including for reporters and photojournalists, those interested in social media, those interested in community outreach and event planning, and those seeking to become editorial assistants. Our internships are individualized, not cookie-cutter busy work. Expect to have fun, to challenge and to be challenged and to learn a ton. Your portfolio and resume will thank you.

While we are based in Asheville, Carolina Public Press welcomes interns from across the state. Remote internships are available. Applicants must have access to the internet during their internship.

Organizational Internship Program

Our organizational internships are open to all journalism, communications, public policy, marketing, political science and business students or those in related fields. Applicants should be highly reliable self-starters with strong interest in online media, particularly the nonprofit media sector devoted to public interest and investigative reporting.

Applicants will have the opportunity to assist in nearly every element of directing and operating a nonprofit media organization, with a strong emphasis on events, social media, community engagement and other outreach programs.

To be considered for the program, applicants should submit:

1: a cover letter explaining your interest in an organizational internship with Carolina Public Press,

2: a resume and

3: two references.

Strong preference will be given to students with nonprofit and/or journalism experience. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information and to submit your application, email careers@carolinapublicpress.org, with the subject line Organizational Internship Program.

Carolina Public Press may offer additional internship opportunities. Please check back soon for more details. 

If you have questions, please email careers@carolinapublicpress.org, with the subject line Internship Program.