VP of Content

MassLive Media Group is seeking a dynamic, innovative, and strategic Vice President of Content & Editor of MassLive.com to help drive the reimagination of our efforts as we expand across the entire state. This role will oversee our entire editorial team and ensure that it continues to provide engaging storytelling while expanding the breadth and depth of our coverage. MassLive is owned by Advance Local, a company with a rich heritage of impactful local journalism for communities across the country.

We need a leader who can guide our consumer-focused digital content operation, enrich our story selection, and drive an upgrade of our visuals, while setting new standards for direct engagement with local audiences, including social media; this is an opportunity for fresh thinking  about how to build statewide coverage at a moment when reliable local news is more critical than ever. This is also a great opportunity for someone who loves team building and mentoring.

MassLive has focused primarily on the western part of the state, born from an affiliation with the Springfield Republican newspaper; and yet it still commands the largest online news audience in Massachusetts—larger than the Boston Globe or Boston.com. We are searching for a VP/Editor who can execute a strategy to deepen relationships with our existing audiences and continue to grow our digital footprint in both reach and impact. This leader will ensure we produce quality content that is immediate, accurate and engaging while enhancing our capacity for watchdog journalism ensuring high-impact stories, government wrongdoing or injustices are regularly featured.

Lastly, this role will expand our newsrooms across the state and ensure that we are recruiting and training a vibrant and diverse workforce ready to tackle the challenges of producing meaningful daily journalism.

Responsibilities:

• Editorial growth strategy, budgeting, planning and growth recommendations for achieving content revenue and audience targets, including regular analysis and reporting on progress.
• Expense management of entire content operation.
• Motivation and management of content leadership team to model the culture for the whole organization.
• Leadership, coaching, and mentoring for staff in journalistic principles and practices.
• Recruiting, training, development, and retention of staff consistent with business objectives.

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience in digital media.
• Proven ability to lead and manage people along with all content services and projects.
• Solid news judgment.
• Ability to effectively represent the company’s strategic vision and goals throughout the organization and in the community.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage high-­level multiple tasks, prioritize workflow, and manage budget.
• Strong business acumen, communication, presentation and analytical skills required.
• Proven experience in managing change throughout the organization.
• Familiarity with major and emerging social media platforms, newsletter strategies and SEO best practice.

Further Background and Context

Our company is driven by our mission to strengthen and empower the communities we serve. MassLive operates from two offices in the western region of the state, our main office in Springfield and one in Worcester.  The VP will spend time in each office as well as working remotely. The goal is to expand east into Boston and western suburbs.

If you aren’t from around Massachusetts, you might like knowing that our state is pretty cool – with lots of great places to live, scenic parks and outdoor venues such as boating, swimming, beaches or hiking for outdoor enthusiasts or those looking to get off the beaten path. Concerts, theatre performances, arts events and community and ethnic festivals are part of our cultural landscape. Plus, we have amazing pro-sports team – just in case you haven’t heard. We’re pretty into the Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins and minor league professional teams; sports in all forms such as football, baseball, basketball, and hockey at the collegiate level is plentiful.