Location: Central Arkansas
Type: Full-Time
Salary: $85,000 + Benefits
(Health, matching 401k, generous PTO policy)
The Oxford American is looking for an Executive Director to lead one of the country’s most distinctive literary magazines through a period of transition and renewal.
Since 1992, the Oxford American has published the best writing about the American South: fiction, poetry, essays, reportage, photography, and art, along with our celebrated annual Southern Music Issue. Today we reach readers in print and online, where we publish original digital-only stories year-round. We are an award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit, most recently recognized with the 2026 General Excellence Award from the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses.
The Role
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and leads the business of the Oxford American: earned revenue, finance, marketing, fundraising, and operations. The Editor reports to you, and together you form the OA’s leadership team, sharing responsibility for the organization’s creative and financial health. You will work closely with the Board to set strategy and build the resources that sustain the magazine, turning the OA’s audience and reputation into lasting support from readers, donors and partners. This role suits a leader who can see what the OA could become, knows how to get it there, and cares deeply about its mission.
What You’ll Do
Strategy and Leadership
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Set organizational strategy and annual goals with the Board
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Supervise the Editor, Advertising Director, and business staff
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Partner with the Editor on the Southern Music Issue, the digital production calendar, and literary events
Earned Revenue
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Lead retail and merchandise strategy, from artist collaborations to e-commerce
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Oversee corporate sponsorship, subscriptions, newsstand, retail, and events revenue
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Direct advertising team to set advertising goals, packages, and pricing, and approve ad contractors and commissions
Marketing and Operations
- Design marketing that grows subscribers, donors, and retail customers, with email as the primary channel
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Manage revenue systems, including e-commerce, email, subscriber management, CRM, and analytics
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Manage fulfillment, production, and other vendor relationships
Finance and Governance
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Recommend the annual budget for Board approval, and maintain monthly financials and a rolling cash flow forecast
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Serve as primary signatory for contracts and financial agreements
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Maintain the OA’s relationship with institutional partners
Development
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Own major contributed income opportunities: foundation and government grants, individual and board giving, and year-end campaigns
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Cultivate major donors and institutional funders, and solicit major gifts
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Collaborate with Editor on grant applications, funder relationships, and reporting
Desired Skills
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Proven business leader with experience in nonprofits, media, or advertising
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Successful track record of managing staff, vendors, and contractors
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Experienced in earned revenue, such as advertising and sponsorship sales, subscriptions, or e-commerce
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Strong experience in financial management with experience setting budgets, forecasting, and reporting to a board
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Experience with e-commerce, email marketing, CRM, and analytics tools
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Committed to the South's stories and to independent literary publishing
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Able to work from our Conway office and travel occasionally
Who Should Apply?
You do not need to meet every qualification to be a strong candidate for this role. The Oxford American is seeking a leader who can help guide a beloved institution through transition—and the heart of that work is running a business well, managing and supporting people, making sound decisions, and committing deeply to a mission.
Experience in publishing, fundraising, advertising, e-commerce, subscriptions, or events is valuable, but not every skill needs to be in place on day one. If you have led teams, managed budgets or operations, built partnerships, generated revenue, or helped an organization navigate change, we encourage you to apply.
We welcome candidates from nonprofit leadership, small business, media, advertising, arts administration, publishing, and other mission-driven fields.
How To Apply
Send a cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the role and résumé to [email protected] with “Executive Director” in the subject line.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Anticipated start date: no later than October 26
The Oxford American is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.