Publisher and Chief Executive Officer

Connecticut Mirror / CT Mirror; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

CT Mirror, Hartford's nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, seeks a values-driven Publisher and CEO to guide strategy, sustain accountability journalism, and grow impact. The top executive reports to a Board and leads a mission-driven organization of 29 full-time staff and 23 journalists, with strong finances and a Pulitzer Prize to its name.

The ideal leader will strengthen fundraising with major donors and institutions, expand audience to maintain momentum, and build a robust executive team while

Qualifications

• Significant management experience in online publishing or nonprofits.
• Proven track record securing major gifts from donors or funders.
• Values-driven leadership with strong fiscal acumen and board experience.
• Experience in data analytics, marketing, and audience growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead CT Mirror as the top executive and external voice, reporting to the Board.
• Elevate fundraising with major donors and institutional funders; diversify revenue.
• Grow CT Mirror’s audience and adapt to reader behavior and emerging technologies.
• Build out the senior team and strengthen financial, technology, HR, and admin systems.
• Partner with the Executive Editor on editorial strategy while upholding newsroom integrity.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Nonprofit governance

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Publisher and Chief Executive Officer – CT Mirror

CT Mirror seeks a values-driven, entrepreneurial Publisher and Chief Executive Officer. Connecticut’s nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization, CT Mirror has grown from a three-person start-up into a $3.9 million organization with about 29 full-time staff, including 23 journalists, and won its first Pulitzer Prize in 2026. The next Publisher and CEO will lead a financially strong, editorially respected news organization at a moment of real momentum and shape CT Mirror’s next strategic era.

This is a rare opportunity to sustain and grow an organization that holds government accountable and informs the public debate across Connecticut. CT Mirror is looking for a leader who will protect the strength and integrity of its accountability journalism while expanding its reach, relevance, impact, and long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities:

• Lead as CT Mirror’s top executive and chief external voice, reporting to an 18-member Board of Directors, and guide the next strategic planning cycle
• Elevate fundraising as the lead relationship holder with major donors and institutional funders, building on a base where 88% of revenue comes from readers and supporters, and diversify revenue across major gifts, membership, sponsorship, and earned revenue
• Grow and broaden CT Mirror’s audience of 320,000 average monthly readers, up 21% in 2025, by responding to how readers consume news and the opportunities of emerging technologies, including AI
• Build out the senior team, strengthen financial, technology, HR, and administrative systems, and develop bench strength through mentorship, hiring, and succession planning
• Partner with the Executive Editor on overall editorial strategy while respecting the firewall between news and business, and protect CT Mirror’s credibility across the political spectrum

Ideal Candidate:

• Significant management experience in online publishing, nonprofits, or a comparable complex organization
• A demonstrated ability to personally cultivate and secure significant major gifts, and a proven record as a champion with funders and external stakeholders
• Values-driven leadership, with fiscal acumen and board experience
• Strong alignment with CT Mirror’s mission and the capacity to become a compelling advocate for its journalism and business
• Experience in data analytics, marketing, and audience growth, and a deep understanding of the online journalism marketplace

Nonprofit news experience is a plus but not required. Experience in Connecticut may be of particular interest to the selection committee.

Location:

Hartford, Connecticut. This is an in-office position.

DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of CT Mirror.