Orion Magazine

Publisher

Location: within driving distance of Northampton, Mass.

Salary: $100,000

Website: https://orionmagazine.org/internships-an...

Role of the Publisher

The Publisher will drive the organization’s vision and steward its reputation and industry relationships; work collaboratively with the Chief of Finance, Operations, People and Culture (CFOP) to ensure responsible management and a sustainable future; work collaboratively with the interim Director of Development and Communications to oversee fundraising strategy; work with the Editor in Chief to oversee editorial strategy; and work with the staff and board to create a strategic plan to guide the organization into its future.

The Chief of Finance, Operations, People and Culture, the interim Director of Development and Communications and the Editor in Chief will report to this position.

Key Responsibilities

Publishing and business strategy

  • Oversee short and long-term strategies toward financial and operational sustainability in partnership with the CFOP and the Board Finance Committee.
  • Lead an inclusive and collaborative process to maintain and grow the business model that encompasses circulation, marketing, branding, fund development, and merchandising.
  • Collaborate with the CFOP in pursuing opportunities to improve revenue generation and reduce costs.
  • Oversee and collaborate with the Editor in Chief on direction of magazine content.

Vision and leadership

  • Champion Orion’s unique mission.
  • Provide leadership on diversity, racial, and gender equity and inclusion, and our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization.
  • Model the culture of collaboration that Orion aspires to through good communication and distributive leadership, proactively supporting staff development and growth, and fostering an environment of reflection and learning.
  • Maintain an effective team by providing guidance, coaching, and accountability. 
  • Foster a workplace dedicated to excellence, human agency, creativity, and professional and personal regard.

Fundraising and donor relations

  • Work closely with fundraising and editorial teams to ensure that current donors are regularly informed about the work they’re supporting.
  • Support the interim Director of Development and Communications and Communications in fundraising strategy and execution. 
  • Conceive and organize events that publicize the magazine, drive fundraising, and support Orion’s strategic goals.

Brand management

  • Ensure that all organizational communications adhere to high standards and grow Orion’s brand.
  • Represent Orion at local and national conferences and serve as a thought leader in the publishing and environmental communities.
  • Cultivate impactful working relationships and collaborations with community groups, funders, and other organizations.

Board relationships

  • Actively engage Orion’s board of directors in supporting the organization and mission.
  • Facilitate staff/board connections to ensure that the board is regularly informed of updates regarding content and programming, donor and community relations, and other matters. 
  • Assist in identifying and recruiting board members to serve specific needs of the organization, with an eye toward racial and gender diversity.

Competencies

  • Understands and can integrate the organizational vision and publishing strategy into concrete implementation plans. Supports the staff and board’s understanding of the vision and strategy. Leads and contributes to the building of consensus within the organization in the service of Orion’s mission
  • Works well collaboratively, communicating and listening to other executive staff (namely the CFOP) for internal expertise while representing organizational vision and commitment to the mission.
  • Communicates with sensitivity vertically and horizontally, creating space for others and amplifying voices of those with less power in the system. Demonstrates knowledge of multiple approaches to manage and resolve concerns and disagreements. 
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the role of sound business strategy in the health and vitality of the organization and broader goals.
  • Exhibits fluency as a reader, writer, listener, and speaker, and awareness of nonverbal strategies to facilitate respectful interactions with staff, board, readers, writers, donors, workshop students, and all other stakeholders.
  • Demonstrates a drive to increase diversity in the workplace and sensitivity to the gaps that exist between employee identities. Enacts antiracist policies that inform our business practices, communications, and editorial initiatives.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience managing the full range of business functions and systems, including finance, operations, information systems, human resources, and marketing.
  • Ten years’ experience leading a non-profit and/or publishing company is preferred.
  • Experience developing and implementing strategic business plans and models.
  • Exceptional capacity for leading people; a team builder with the ability to connect to internal and external stakeholders both on an individual level and in large groups.
  • Thought leadership in the environmental and/or publishing sectors.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
  • Demonstrated understanding of cultural competency, the value of diversity in the workplace, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, diverse and multigendered environment. Commitment to the work of building a culture of equity and inclusion. Ability to champion a vision of “creating a community of caring for the planet.”

This search is being conducted by Orion. Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful letter of interest to the board chair: elizabethklucas@orionmagazine.org

All submissions are confidential. 

Your cover letter should include an explanation of how you know Orion and how your qualifications and experience meet Orion’s needs and mission. All submissions of candidacy will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by December 2, 2024. 

Orion actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates and welcomes people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations to apply. 

As an EOE/AA employer, Orion will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law

Contact Information

Elizabeth Lucas, Orion Board of Directors
200 Main Street
Suite 2A
Northampton
MA
01060
Contact Phone: 
(616) 550-7634