Current openings
General Manager, Berks County bureau
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Summary: Summary: Spotlight PA is seeking a general manager to lead its local revenue, partnership, and community outreach/engagement initiatives for its new bureau in Berks County. This will be the second regional bureau established by Spotlight PA, an award-winning independent, nonpartisan newsroom founded in 2019 to revitalize investigative and public-service reporting across Pennsylvania. The first is based in State College and launched in 2022 (spotlightpa.org/statecollege). The mission of Spotlight PA is simple: to hold powerful private and public forces to account by producing nonpartisan journalism that gets results and serves the public good. Spotlight PA has the largest collaborative local journalism network of its kind in the United States, with stories regularly republished across 125+ partner newsrooms, allowing our vital reporting to reach Pennsylvanians in all corners and drive positive change.
The Berks bureau will produce in-depth investigative and public-service reporting on all levels of government in Berks County as well as urgent issues related to the spending of taxpayer dollars, jobs, the economy, quality of life, and more. The bureau’s journalism will be distributed via Spotlight PA and its partner network, including multiple outlets in the county, filling information gaps and elevating stories from Berks to a statewide audience. Through its journalism, events, local newsletter, and more, the bureau will act as a vital public service in Berks County, while also promoting greater collaboration among media and other organizations.
What you’ll do: The general manager will be the local business and community engagement lead for Spotlight PA’s Berks bureau. This position will be responsible for engaging in all aspects of community leadership and participation, and will be the face of Spotlight PA in Berks County. The general manager will attend and participate in the most important events and conversations happening within the community, from the local rotary to the chamber of commerce, to nonprofit gatherings. The general manager will be responsible for building and stewarding relationships and strategic partnerships within the community, as well as a corps of local volunteers to expand our presence and reach. The general manager will be the point person on ensuring the bureau’s three-year runway toward sustainability is on track and meeting targets, with a focus on local business revenue, sponsorships of Spotlight PA products, strategic partnerships, and fundraising events in the county. The general manager will also assist statewide fundraising efforts within the local community, and identify new opportunities for Spotlight PA to grow its community presence and sustainability.
Who we’re looking for: The general manager should be someone who is engaged in civic life in Berks County and has experience with sales and/or fundraising (individual & corporate/business giving, sponsorships, fundraising events), community relations/engagement, and public relationships. The general manager should be a kinetic, community connector who is passionate about revitalizing local journalism and enhancing Spotlight PA’s profile locally. The general manager should have experience working with volunteers for community outreach and engagement (e.g. tabling at community events). The general manager must have a strong working knowledge of Reading and/or Berks County.
This job is full-time and includes benefits. This is a two-year, grant-funded position. The position is remote, though applicants should be based in or near Berks County. This position is budgeted for a salary of $80,000-$90,000, depending on experience.
Applicants should include a resume and a one-page cover letter answering the following questions: 1) How would you grow Spotlight PA’s profile and revenue in Berks County?; and 2) Tell us about your previous successes in sales, fundraising, and/or community engagement.
We know not everyone reading this will fit exactly what we’ve described. We encourage everyone to apply who shares our passion for indispensable journalism and our drive to create a sustainable business model to support it. Spotlight PA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, and we especially encourage people from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities.
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General Manager, State College bureau
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Summary: Spotlight PA is seeking a general manager to lead its local revenue, partnership, and community outreach/engagement initiatives for its regional bureau based in State College. Launched in 2022, Spotlight PA’s State College bureau (spotlightpa.org/statecollege) covers north-central Pennsylvania and produces award-winning journalism on everything from the challenges facing rural communities to Penn State to local accountability issues like how our tax dollars are spent. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom founded in 2019 to revitalize investigative and public-service reporting across Pennsylvania. The mission of Spotlight PA is simple: to hold powerful private and public forces to account by producing nonpartisan journalism that gets results and serves the public good. Spotlight PA has the largest collaborative local journalism network of its kind in the United States, with stories regularly republished across 125+ partner newsrooms, allowing our vital reporting to reach Pennsylvanians in all corners and drive positive change.
What you’ll do: The general manager will be the local business and community engagement lead for Spotlight PA’s State College bureau. This position will be responsible for engaging in all aspects of community leadership and participation, and will be the face of Spotlight PA in Centre County and north-central Pennsylvania. The general manager will attend and participate in the most important events and conversations happening within the community, from the local rotary to the chamber of commerce, to nonprofit gatherings. The general manager will be responsible for building and stewarding relationships and strategic partnerships within the community, as well as a corps of local volunteers to expand our presence and reach. The general manager will be the point person on ensuring the bureau’s fundraising is on track and meeting targets, with a focus on local business revenue, sponsorships of Spotlight PA products, strategic partnerships, and fundraising events in the region. The general manager will also assist statewide fundraising efforts within the local community, and identify new opportunities for Spotlight PA to grow its community presence and sustainability.
Who we’re looking for: The general manager should be someone who is engaged in civic life in north-central Pennsylvania and has experience with sales and/or fundraising (individual & corporate/business giving, sponsorships, fundraising events), community relations/engagement, and public relationships. The general manager should be a kinetic, community connector who is passionate about revitalizing local journalism and enhancing Spotlight PA’s profile locally. The general manager should have experience working with volunteers for community outreach and engagement (e.g. tabling at community events). The general manager must have a strong working knowledge of Centre County and north-central Pennsylvania.
This job is full-time and includes benefits. This is a two-year, grant-funded position. The position is remote, though applicants should be based in or near Centre County. This position is budgeted for a salary of $80,000-$90,000, depending on experience.
Applicants should include a resume and a one-page cover letter answering the following questions: 1) How would you grow Spotlight PA’s profile and revenue in Centre County and north-central Pennsylvania?; and 2) Tell us about your previous successes in sales, fundraising, and/or community engagement.
We know not everyone reading this will fit exactly what we’ve described. We encourage everyone to apply who shares our passion for indispensable journalism and our drive to create a sustainable business model to support it. Spotlight PA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, and we especially encourage people from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities.
Apply here
Finance Director
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Summary: Spotlight PA is seeking a finance director to lead accounting and financial operations for the nonprofit newsroom and ensure it can grow sustainably. The mission of Spotlight PA is to hold powerful private and public forces to account by producing nonpartisan journalism that gets results and serves the public good. Spotlight PA has the largest collaborative local journalism network of its kind in the United States, with stories regularly republished across 125+ partner newsrooms, allowing our vital reporting to reach Pennsylvanians in all corners and drive positive change. Launched in 2019 under a parent organization, Spotlight PA transitioned to a fully independent nonprofit organization in 2023. Since then, accounting has been handled by an outsourced firm. Spotlight PA is currently in an exciting period of growth and we are seeking to bring all operations and expertise in-house. Spotlight PA is supported primarily by foundations and individuals and does not currently receive government grants.
What you’ll do: The finance director will report to the CEO and work closely with other senior leadership and the Board of Directors to maintain the organization’s financial health, provide accurate reporting and analysis, and ensure fiscal compliance. The finance director will manage all day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping responsibilities in addition to producing monthly reports, cash flow forecasts, annual budgeting planning, and audit compliance. The finance director will also support longer-term strategic financial planning and liaise with Spotlight PA’s investment management firm. Key responsibilities include:
Financial Management
Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive internal control and financial policies and procedures to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards to support the growth and mission of Spotlight PA
Manage day-to-day financial operations, including bank reconciliation, recording and reconciling accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, tracking of restricted grants, revenue recognition, and general ledger maintenance
Prepare and maintain an annual budget in collaboration with CEO, Deputy Director and the Board of Directors
Financial Reporting
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and ad-hoc reports for the executive team, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders including actual-to-budget analysis and monthly cash flow forecasts
Analyze finance trends and provide insights to help guide decision-making and strategic planning
Oversee the preparation of grant proposal budgets to support fundraising efforts and grant financial reports to ensure compliance with donor requirements
Serve on the finance committee of the Board
Audit and Tax Compliance
Coordinate the annual audit process, including liaising with external auditors to ensure all financial records are complete, accurate, and in accordance with GAAP
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing non-profits, including charitable organization registrations (BCO-10), tax filings (IRS Form 990, sales tax), and other reporting obligations (annual reports)
Strategic Planning and Team Leadership
Collaborate with the executive team to develop long-term financial strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and goals, including investment opportunities
Provide documentation, training, and support on financial policies and procedures to staff to ensure understanding and adherence
Liaise with the investment management firm and provide support as necessary
Cash and Risk Management
Develop and maintain short and long-term cash flow forecasts to support decision-making and long-term financial sustainability
Monitor cash flow and oversee the maintenance of adequate liquidity for operational needs
Identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the organization’s financial stability
Who we’re looking for: The finance director should be extremely detail-oriented, with strong ethical standards and at least 5-7 years of financial operations and management experience in a nonprofit environment. We are looking for someone comfortable with both day-to-day bookkeeping and maintaining three- to five-year financial forecasting to ensure Spotlight PA’s high-quality journalism can thrive in Pennsylvania. Spotlight PA has a $4 million budget and is expanding to an organization with 35 full-time staff members this year, with more growth planned for the next few years.
Experience
Minimum 5-7 years of financial operations and management experience in a nonprofit organization
Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting
2-plus years concurrent experience with Quickbooks Online Plus or Quickbooks Online Advanced
Skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
Strong knowledge of financial software and tools, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to adapt quickly to new systems
The job is remote, though candidates based in Pennsylvania are preferred. The job is full-time, and includes benefits. This position is budgeted for a salary of $90,000-$100,000.
Applicants should include a resume and a one-page cover letter answering the following prompt: 1) Describe your prior experience with bookkeeping, accounting and/or financial management for nonprofits and how it helped drive sustainability or growth.
We know not everyone reading this will fit exactly what we’ve described. We encourage everyone to apply who shares our passion for indispensable journalism and our drive to create a sustainable business model to support it. Spotlight PA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, and we especially encourage people from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities.