Description

About Press Forward Southern Arizona

Press Forward Southern Arizona is a local chapter of Press Forward, a national movement to strengthen communities through local journalism. Housed at CFSA, Press Forward Southern Arizona brings together funders, journalists, and community partners to reimagine local news as a public good and vital civic infrastructure. 

Press Forward Southern Arizona works to:

• Strengthen the regional news and information ecosystem through collaboration, investment, innovation, and transformation.
• Address inequities in media coverage, access to news and information, and journalistic representation.
• Support journalists and news organizations serving Southern Arizona communities.
• Encourage philanthropic and public investment in trustworthy local information.

Position Purpose & Overview

Serving in a three-year grant funded position, the Regional Lead for Press Forward Southern Arizona will serve as the central coordinator and convener for this local chapter of Press Forward. The role is responsible for strategically assessing local media and information needs, cultivating and advancing collaborations, representing the chapter within local and national networks, and coordinating and potentially co-leading wrap-around services and communications for journalists, partners, and volunteers.

 Working in collaboration with CFSA’s Community Impact team and our national Press Forward partners, this position will guide strategy, engagement, and operations to ensure that Southern Arizona’s news ecosystem is equitable, resilient, and community centered. This position is currently funded through October 2028, with the possibility of renewed funding.

Duties & Responsibilities

Regional Leadership & Coordination

• Lead implementation of the Press Forward Southern Arizona strategy in coordination with CFSA leadership and community partners.
• Represent the chapter locally and nationally, including with other Press Forward Local chapters.
• Facilitate cross-sector collaboration between Southern Arizona journalists, newsrooms, media stations, donors, and community organizations, as well as with national funders.
• Maintain a strong understanding of Southern Arizona’s media landscape, identifying opportunities, challenges, and gaps to grow and innovate our news and information ecosystem.

Program Design & Implementation

• Conduct needs assessments, stakeholder consultations, and media ecosystem mapping.
• Support local grantmaking and resource allocation aligned with Press Forward principles and community voice, and in consultation with our Local News Initiative and colleagues on the Community Impact team.
• Manage or assist in coordinating partnerships, contracts, and logistics for research, events, or communications activities.

Community Engagement & Communications

• Serve as a primary liaison for Southern Arizona journalists, news organizations, media stations, and partners seeking engagement or resources.
• In coordination with other CFSA team members, support volunteers engaging with Press Forward Southern Arizona.
• Coordinate contracted, wraparound services to provide support services to news professionals such as needs assessments, mental health, training, legal, and safety.
• In collaboration with CFSA’s Event Manager, develop, manage, and support local, convenings, and learning opportunities for Press Forward Southern Arizona and the Press Forward network.
• In partnership with CFSA’s Marketing & Communications team, develop and manage chapter communications, including any updates, newsletters, or reports.

Resource Development & Administration

• Support fundraising and donor engagement for Press Forward Southern Arizona, including proposal writing and stewardship.
• Track project progress, document learnings, and contribute to evaluation and reporting.
• Maintain alignment with CFSA’s mission, values, and operational policies.

Requirements

Preferred Experience & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public policy, nonprofit management, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in journalism, philanthropy, community engagement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with collaborative initiatives, network-building, or project management.
• Familiarity with the Southern Arizona community and local media landscape strongly preferred.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong facilitation, relationship-building, and cross-sector collaboration skills.
• Comfort navigating complex, adaptive challenges.
• Demonstrated commitment to voice and representation for the diversity of Southern Arizona’s communities.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and able to manage multiple priorities.

 Bilingual (Spanish speaking) is a plus.