About The Daily Collegian
The Daily Collegian is an independent, student-run news organization — a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a long record of training journalists and serving the Penn State and State College community. Operating across print, digital, and multimedia platforms, the Collegian is editorially independent from the university. Its student editors and leaders run the newsroom and oversee the organization’s 180+ student journalists. The GM/CEO runs the organization.
Job Overview
We're looking for a full-time General Manager/CEO who can bring a startup mentality to the development and philanthropy side of a longstanding institution, founded in 1887. Someone who understands the current media landscape — who the funders are, what alumni want to give to, what grants are available to a student newsroom with the Collegian’s reach and history — and who has the entrepreneurial drive to build something durable from the ground up.
This is not an editorial role. Student editors lead the Collegian’s journalism. The GM/CEO leads everything that makes that journalism possible and serves as a critical partner and mentor to student leadership.
Core Responsibilities
Philanthropy & Revenue Development
- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy — alumni giving, major gifts, foundation grants, membership programs, sponsorships and events
- Build and manage a donor pipeline; identify, cultivate and solicit new supporters while maintaining active relationships with existing funders
- Research and pursue grant opportunities in the nonprofit news ecosystem
- Be the Collegian’s lead evangelist: ensure potential supporters understand the organization’s journalism, its impact, and why student journalism is a public good worth funding
- Explore and pilot new revenue models appropriate to a student-run independent newsroom
Finance & Operations
- Report directly to the Board of Directors; serve as the primary steward of the Collegian’s mission, independence and long-term financial health
- Oversee budgeting, financial reporting and audit processes
- Manage cash flow and develop strategies for cash management and investment of assets
- Ensure compliance for all grants and contracts, including public and private funders and regulatory bodies
Leadership
- Partner with the Board of Directors and student leadership to develop and execute a five-year strategic plan
- Partner with the Editor-in-Chief and Business Manager student leadership positions while serving as a mentor, connector, and resource for the student journalists and editors who drive the Collegian’s work
- Work especially closely with the student Business Manager to grow the Collegian’s business candidate program, strengthen student business operations, and help students understand the full arc of running a nonprofit newsroom — from fundraising and grant-writing to relationship-building and strategic communications
- Manage three professional staff members
- Stay connected to national organizations and ongoing conversations in student journalism, local news, and nonprofit media
- Model and protect the firewall between business operations and editorial independence
You’re a Good Fit If…
- You have at least five years of experience in nonprofit leadership, development, journalism, or a meaningful combination — and a demonstrated track record of securing grants and building fundraising pipelines
- You believe student journalism is worth funding, and you can make that case compellingly to alumni, foundations and community members
- You have genuine knowledge of the news media industry — its economics, its pressures, and its possibilities
- You’re energized by working alongside students, not just managing around them
- You’re comfortable managing and mentoring early-career professionals, and you understand enough about HR practices not to need to learn on the job
- You’re a strong written and verbal communicator who can represent the Collegian credibly in many rooms
- You’re comfortable with financial complexity: budgets, cash flow management, grant compliance, nonprofit reporting
- You’re entrepreneurial
Position Details
- Status: Full-time
- Location: State College, PA (in-person)
- Reports to: Board of Directors
- Compensation: $80,000 – $95,000, commensurate with experience, plus benefits
To Apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should speak directly to your experience in fundraising or development and your vision for nonprofit student journalism.
