Reports to: Executive Director
Direct Reports: Director of Development, Membership Manager, Sponsorship Managers, Revenue Operations Support (and future revenue staff)
Location: Southwest/Southside Virginia (hybrid with office in Roanoke)
Status: Full-time, exempt

Position Summary

Over the next three years, Cardinal News will execute a regional expansion plan that deepens reporting in Southwest and Southside Virginia while adding new zones of coverage across communities lacking dedicated local journalism. This growth includes expanding the newsroom, launching additional geographic and enterprise beats, and strengthening audience engagement capacity. To sustain this scale, Cardinal News anticipates growing its annual revenue by several million dollars through major gifts, membership, sponsorships, grants, and new earned revenue lines. The Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) will be the architect of this financial transformation, building the diversified revenue engine and community-centered partnerships that will power a larger, more regionally rooted newsroom.

The Chief Revenue Officer is Cardinal News’ senior revenue strategist, responsible for leading, integrating, and scaling all earned and contributed revenue streams to support the organization’s ambitious growth in local journalism. The CRO will oversee fundraising, sponsorship, membership, and emerging revenue initiatives, ensuring that Cardinal News has the diversified, sustainable financial model required to expand its newsroom and deepen service to its communities.

This is a newly created leadership role designed to move Cardinal News from strong early-stage growth to long-term financial maturity. The CRO will bring strategic vision, operational rigor, and collaborative leadership, working in close partnership with the Executive Director and editorial leadership while respecting the firewall between revenue and editorial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Strategy & Leadership

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year revenue strategy aligned with Cardinal News’ editorial growth vision and geographic zones.
  • Set annual revenue goals across major gifts, membership, grants, sponsorships, public notices, events, and new products; track performance and adjust strategy as needed.
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, and revenue reporting in collaboration with the Executive Director and Finance Director.

Team Management & Capacity Building

  • Lead, mentor, and manage the development, membership, sponsorship, and revenue operations teams.
  • Build systems, workflows, and accountability structures that allow revenue staff to scale efficiently.
  • Identify future staffing and infrastructure needs as revenue grows.

Fundraising & Partnerships

  • Provide strategic oversight of individual giving, including major gifts, ensuring strong coordination with the Major Gifts Officer.
  • Support grant strategy and funder relationships in partnership with the Executive Director.
  • Oversee corporate sponsorship strategy, including geographic expansion, product packaging, and event sponsorships.
  • Identify and evaluate new revenue opportunities consistent with Cardinal News’ mission and audience trust.

Cross-Organizational Collaboration

  • Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, and will align revenue opportunities with audience needs and journalistic priorities.
  • Ensure clear, ethical boundaries between revenue generation and editorial decision-making.
  • Partner with audience and engagement staff to align growth, retention, and conversion strategies.

Board & External Engagement

  • Support the Executive Director and Finance Director in working with the Board on revenue strategy, dashboards, and long-term sustainability planning.
  • Represent Cardinal News to funders, partners, and civic leaders as needed.

You should have

  • Minimum of 8–10 years of senior-level experience in revenue leadership, development, or business operations in nonprofit media, journalism, or mission-driven organizations.
  • Demonstrated success managing multiple revenue streams and leading teams.
  • Strong strategic planning, financial acumen, and analytical skills.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration abilities.
  • Deep respect for journalistic independence and nonprofit ethics.

Preferred Attributes

  • Experience in nonprofit news or public media.
  • Familiarity with rural, regional, or community-based organizations.
  • Comfort working in a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial environment.

About Cardinal News

Cardinal News is a nonprofit digital news organization serving communities in Southwest and Southside Virginia. We were founded in the fall of 2021 to report the untold stories of these regions and strengthen the voices of the people in our communities who have been sidelined in the commonwealth’s political, economic and cultural conversations — simply because of where they live.

We were named Startup of the Year by the Institute for Nonprofit News in 2021, and LION Business of the Year by LION Publishers in 2025. We are continuing to grow rapidly, with expansion projects underway to deepen our reporting and broaden our local news network to better serve our communities.

We want our team members to feel supported in their work. We budget for training, travel, and the tools necessary to produce and support strong journalism. Our benefits include:

  • Competitive pay
  • Paid holidays and vacation time
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Contributions to health savings accounts
  • A matching 401(k) plan
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • A collaborative, mission-driven team

We Value Diverse Perspectives

Cardinal News is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.

We also recognize that not all candidates will check every single box. If you have most of the qualifications listed above and are passionate about stewardship, accountability journalism, and serving rural communities, we would love to hear from you.

To Apply

Send a resume and a letter telling us why you are interested in working with Cardinal News and how you would approach leading our revenue team to jobs@cardinalnews.org.