Regional Director, Northeast Ohio

Location: Cleveland/Akron Ohio

Signal Ohio is seeking an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven leader to champion Signal Ohio’s mission and drive philanthropic growth in Northeast Ohio. You will:

Lead Fundraiser & Partnership Builder -Drive philanthropic growth, including major gifts for Signal Ohio’s Northeast Ohio region, with a focus on Cleveland and Akron.
Relationship Cultivation – Represent our mission across the region so that everyone in Northeast Ohio knows who we are and why our work matters.
Forge Strategic Partnerships – Develop and sustain philanthropic collaborations, sponsorships and institutional funding opportunities.
Fuel Growth & Sustainability – Generate the revenue that powers the operations and long-term impact of our Cleveland and Akron newsrooms.
Strengthen Community Connection – Ensure the community is engaged with and supported by trusted, independent local news.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives on building meaningful relationships, connecting philanthropic and business leaders to mission-driven work, and strategizing toward long-term revenue goals in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

ABOUT SIGNAL OHIO

Signal Ohio is a network of independent, community-led, non-partisan, nonprofit newsrooms backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community leaders, and the American Journalism Project. It’s one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country, with newsrooms in Cleveland, Akron, and Signal Statewide, with a staff of 35 growing to at least 50. These newsrooms produce high-quality accountability journalism while working directly with residents to produce and distribute community reporting that is free to access and available for republishing.

The organization is governed by a board that is representative of Ohio’s diverse communities and is an independent 501(c)(3) organization.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Director, Northeast Ohio will drive the expansion of Signal Ohio’s regional presence, impact, and revenue. This individual will be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities while cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of donors, corporate sponsors, and civic leaders who support the mission of independent, community-based journalism. They will develop and execute comprehensive growth and fundraising strategies, build relationships with key decision-makers across sectors, and lead cross-functional efforts to drive sustainable revenue and regional partnerships. In this high-profile regional role, the expectation is that everyone in Northeast Ohio knows who we are and why our mission matters.This role is essential to ensuring Signal Ohio’s long-term success and visibility in Northeast Ohio, and will have the following responsibilities:

Revenue Generation & Partnership Development

Create and implement comprehensive strategies to increase diversified revenue streams, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, institutional partnerships, and earned income opportunities
Lead regional fundraising efforts, including identifying and securing sales and sponsorship opportunities, with the support of operations and the CEO to drive financial sustainability and regional growth.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with local stakeholders, community organizations, industry leaders, and civic influencers to enhance Signal Ohio’s network and impact.

Strategic Growth & Leadership

Develop and execute strategies to expand Signal Ohio’s visibility and community impact in Northeast Ohio.
Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership to implement strategic initiatives that align with organizational and editorial objectives.
Act as the primary regional representative, advocating for Signal Ohio’s mission and role in local news and information.
Strong passion for representing Signal Ohio through relationship-building and in the NE Ohio community, while collaborating with the newsrooms to align strategies, budgets, and activities with revenue goals and organizational success.

Community Engagement & Brand Development

Strengthen ties with local communities by developing and supporting impactful engagement initiatives.
Establish partnerships that amplify Signal Ohio’s reach and deepen community impact.
Represent Signal Ohio publicly at local events, forums, and conferences to promote brand visibility and mission awareness.

Operational & Team Management

Partner with newsroom leadership to ensure the highest standards of journalism and alignment with Signal Ohio’s mission.
Responsible for the P&L of the Northeast newsrooms, serving as a careful steward of regional financial and operational resources in close partnership with newsroom leadership.
Support recruitment and retention strategies in coordination with HR, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
Oversee regional operations, ensuring efficiency and alignment with organizational objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership or executive role, with a track record of driving revenue growth, strategic decision-making and team collaboration.
Minimum 7 years of experience in a similar executive and revenue generation role.
Demonstrated success in strategic leadership, organizational growth, and partnership management.
Passion for local, public service journalism and strengthening the news ecosystem in Ohio.
Proven experience in fundraising, revenue generation, and stakeholder engagement.
Deep knowledge of Northeast Ohio’s local landscape and community dynamics.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
Ability to effectively collaborate across diverse teams in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
Education requirement – Bachelors Degree required

SALARY : $110,000-$125,000

HOW TO APPLY

This is a full-time position with competitive salary and benefits. Signal Ohio is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. Signal Ohio encourages people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses to apply.