Required Experience:
Qualifications
● 8-plus years of experience in audience engagement, digital media, or journalism. Journalism experience should balance both editorial and audience/reader or community analytics roles. Events, marketing or community engagement experience are a plus.
● Proven and measurable track record of growing digital audiences using data, strategy and creativity to drive improved audience or community engagement metrics.
● Deep understanding of SEO, social media algorithms, newsletters, and analytics platforms (Google Analytics 4, Parse.ly, etc.), as well as an informed view about risks and benefits of generative AI on audience development.
● Excellent communication and collaboration skills across departments and partners. Leadership or management experience strongly preferred.
● Strong editorial judgment, a passion for public-interest journalism and a refined understanding of policy work.
● Experience in community engagement, audience listening and membership/donor strategy are desired. Demonstrated emphasis on inclusive discovery of new audiences, and use of metrics to track that growth, is a plus.
● Demonstrated thought leadership on the topic of analytics driving audience and or community impact is desired, e.g. blogs, podcast or panel appearances, case studies, etc. are a plus.
● Bachelor’s or advanced degree in journalism, policy, communications, the liberal arts–or rich life and work experience.
● Willingness to be present in the BGA’s downtown Chicago office at least three days a week.
● Salary of $150K to $175K, or negotiable commensurate with accomplishments and experience.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the BGA and how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of this role. Include relevant links to your best work, including published work and any valued presentations or public appearances.
If interested in this role, please complete our online application form at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_IOH9dxYM3CRBjKh6luTldiXT4j3LXyHC_0viBNZ8w8/viewform?edit_requested=true
We will begin reviewing submissions immediately and consider applicants while the posting remains on our website. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified via phone or email. Please note that incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Deadline for applications is September 8, 2025.
We look forward to reviewing your materials. Thank you!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $150,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60606
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Duties / Expectations:
VP of Audience and Impact
Better Government Association
223 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60606
Hybrid work
$150,000 - $175,000 a year - Full-time
Skills
Do you have experience in Social media management?
Education
Do you have a Bachelor's degree?
Benefits
401(k)
Health insurance
Paid time off
Dental insurance
Life insurance
Full job description
The Better Government Association–the only Illinois non-profit holding power to account through investigative and solutions-focused journalism and policy advocacy–is seeking an inspiring, innovative and accomplished leader to take us to a new level in securing our mission: a more open, equitable and accountable government for the benefit of all people in Illinois.
Our new V.P. of Audience and Impact will develop and execute a multi-platform strategy to accelerate audience growth and engagement. This person will advance the BGA mission and strategic priorities by enhancing the reach and impact of our work.
We seek a candidate who is creative, strategic and collaborative, one who will embrace the opportunity to invent new strategies and tactics and be a thought leader among peers. They will reach readers, donors and other stakeholders in the diverse array of communities we serve in our city and state. This person will bring passion and perseverance to the challenging task of securing better government in Chicago and across Illinois, at a time of disruptive change in the fields of policy and journalism.
About the BGA:
Founded over a century ago, the BGA today is comprised of a 27-person staff that accomplishes the BGA’s mission in three ways:
● Illinois Answers Project, our Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, exposes systemic failures and investigates responses to them in our pillar topics of equity & economic opportunity, public safety & criminal justice, and government finance & accountability.
● BGA Policy seeks legislation and reform through rigorous research and policy advocacy, chiefly to defend a free press and to secure open, ethical and accountable government.
● Our Community Engagement team works with residents, civic and local leaders and advocates to dismantle systemic barriers to good government across Illinois.
With philanthropic contributions accounting for nearly 100% of the BGA budget, this colleague will help gather and shape information we can share with donors and other partners to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of our critical work.
Role Description
The new V.P. of Audience and Impact will lead efforts to reach new people, deepen connection to existing audiences and discover new ways to motivate people to demand better government in Illinois. Reporting to the CEO, and leading a team of three colleagues, they will work with the Editor in Chief and V.P. of Policy to track data and measurable outcomes for newsroom, policy and community engagement activities. Working with the development team, they will deliver data that contributes to the strength and growth of our organization. They will address challenges and opportunities arising from the growth of generative AI and collaborate with partners in journalism, policy, community and philanthropy in Chicago, Illinois and nationwide.
The successful V.P. of Audience and Impact will:
Expand Our Reach and Impact
Build Brands, Audience and Impact through Platform Management: Collaborating with Editor in Chief and V.P. of Policy, set strategy and tactics for optimizing distribution of content across websites, newsletters, social media and AI-dependent discovery platforms. Leverage the potential of generative AI to build audience, while also pursuing effective SEO strategies. Grow republication by journalism partners across Illinois.
Drive Improved Outcomes via Analytics & Insights: Embracing the intermittent publishing cycle of both Illinois Answers Project and BGA Policy, develop KPIs that will offer timely insight on the audience and impact of key Illinois Answers stories and BGA Policy initiatives. Introduce tactical adjustments in how we publish content and connect with communities, enhancing our ability to achieve strategic performance goals. Develop means of measuring the impact of our work on the communities we serve.
Enhance Sustainability: Work with the V.P. of Development to identify audience and community impact tactics most likely to enhance the development staff’s connection with new and existing donors. Effectively enroll the Illinois Answers and BGA Policy staffs in collecting metrics that can offer actionable insights into content decisions, product development, fundraising tactics and org-wide strategies, as well as those that convey the effectiveness and impact of our journalism, policy initiatives and public outreach.
Connect Us With Communities
Enact Integrated Outreach Strategy: Identify and reach key constituencies, including underserved and underrepresented groups; influencers and government officials who can lead reforms and policy changes, and the general public. Design strategies to build dialogue, trust and participation among key communities, and proactively build feedback loops with them. Work with the newsroom staff and policy team to plan community listening sessions that will inform their work, reach key stakeholders, build effective alliances, and drive positive change.
Grow Engagement Through Events, Email & Newsletters: Lead the fast-growing BGA events strategy, in collaboration with the V.P. of Development, Editor in Chief and V.P. of Policy. Manage and grow email lists and newsletters with a focus on acquisition, retention, and conversion to membership/donation, working in consultation with the leadership team on these efforts, too.
Lead the Way
Develop Content Initiatives: Work with editorial and policy leadership to develop new content-based initiatives that will resonate with target audiences at the community, city and state levels. Leverage relations with partner organizations to build the BGA, BGA Policy and Illinois Answers Project brands, enhance the quality of user experiences and grow the impact of our organization. Explore the potential for podcasts to enhance branding, impact and revenue.
Shape and Lead a Collaborative and Productive Team: Manage a three-person team and select freelancers or contractors, structuring roles optimally. Build and enact a program to deepen the team's analytic skills and foster innovative approaches to data collection and analysis. Leverage potential contributions of allies inside and outside the BGA, including the BGA board.
We encourage applicants from traditionally underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. The Better Government Association is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness for all employees. We welcome the unique contributions you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
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