Publisher

About Lookout Eugene-Springfield: Lookout Eugene-Springfield is the second market launched after Lookout Santa Cruz, a modern, community-centric, mobile-first digital news source dedicated to delivering high-quality, trustworthy, and non-partisan local news and information. Our standards are high, as shown by our 2024 Pulitzer Prize win for Breaking News. (Media coverage of the award and the Lookout model)

Our mission is to foster greater citizen knowledge and participation within the community through robust journalism and related convening. We built Lookout Local to be a model, and one that can rebuild local news in communities well beyond Santa Cruz. We now expand our innovative model with Lookout Eugene-Springfield, the first step as we move forward with wider expansion in 2026-2027.

We are looking for a Publisher who can drive our business success and mission in this new market.

Position Overview: The Publisher will lead the community and commerce team, heading all business growth and building authentic partnerships and relationships that are core to Lookout’s mission and success. This role requires a demonstrated leader who combines P&L experience with a purpose-driven mindset, to build and lead a team of trustworthy, talented professionals. The ideal candidate will be driven equally by mission and business success, understanding how the two must support each other to revive local journalism successfully. The ideal candidate brings a robust network of local (and regional?) connections to the job.

The Publisher position reports to the Lookout Local CEO and COO and is a member of the company’s overall executive team. Applying the Lookout Local journalism/business/community models, and proven publishing technology, the publisher’s role is to lead success in the market, measured both by business and journalistic and community impact.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Building:

• Form and lead a new team of journalistic and business professionals dedicated to building a sustainable model of local journalism that serves the community with the highest-quality news and information products
• Foster a collaborative and mission-driven culture within the team, establishing goals and embedding core values.

Business and Community Partnerships:

• Develop and nurture relationships with local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders.
• Create and implement strategies to build creative, lasting partnerships that support Lookout’s mission and business strategy.
• Represent Lookout Eugene-Springfield at community events and networking opportunities.

Revenue Generation:

• Direct all revenue-generating activities, including advertising sales, sponsored content, event sponsorships, member engagement and more.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies to maximize revenue and profitability.
• Apply P&L experience to manage budgets effectively and ensure financial health, working with the Lookout leadership team to set and optimize financial targets.
• Mission Alignment:
• Ensure that business activities align with Lookout’s mission to provide high-quality local journalism and community betterment.
• Align commercial success with editorial integrity, ensuring that the two support and enhance each other.

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and execute a strategic plan to grow Lookout’s presence and influence in the Eugene-Springfield market.
• Participate in setting goals and benchmarks for success, aiding Lookout Local’s overall growth.

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience in a similar or applicable role, preferably within a news or media organization.
• Strong P&L management skills and a track record of driving business growth.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with experience in community engagement and partnership development.
• A deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in local journalism.
• Passion for Lookout Local’s mission and the ability to inspire others to share this vision.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Full-time benefits include highly competitive medical, dental, and optical benefits, and 401(k) with matching.
• Good PTO allowances
• Equity, in the form of stock options.
• An opportunity to make a significant impact on the revival of local journalism.
• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

Application Process: Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put Eugene, Publisher in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Lookout Eugene-Springfield is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Join us at Lookout Santa Cruz and be part of a movement to revive local journalism in Eugene-Springfield and beyond!