Executive Editor

Job Status: Full time; competitive salary and benefits

Website: plymouthindependent.org

Until the Plymouth Independent began publishing in November, 2023, the town of 66,000 had gone a decade without serious journalism that holds powerful institutions and interests accountable. It had been years since residents in one the state’s fastest growing communities had any inkling what their government was doing for them - or to them. In one of the country’s most historic communities, there was no online town square where people could get reliable news, debate local issues, connect with one another, and avail themselves of Plymouth’s many cultural opportunities.

In just 20 months, the Plymouth Independent has reintroduced real journalism to Plymouth. Our experienced team of our founding executive editor, two seasoned staff reporters and several experienced freelance reporters has published more than 1,000 articles. The Independent already has 30,000 subscribers to its newsletter and close to 100,000 unique users a month - far more than any comparable nonprofit Massachusetts publication.

For Plymouth residents, the Independent’s rigorous reporting has been a godsend. But for some town officials, unaccustomed to reporters asking uncomfortable questions, it has been an adaptive challenge. When the town manager instructed town officials to boycott the Independent’s reporters, the Independent wrote about the ban, readers reacted angrily, the town manager rescinded his edict and The Boston Globe published a front page story about the town’s attempt to muzzle its major news outlet.

The Independent was conceived by a group of concerned Plymouth residents after the Gannett-owned local paper, the Old Colony Memorial, made such severe cuts over time that it now has no local reporters at all - a “ghost’’ paper. Months before the Independent debuted, its board raised sufficient funds to hire three staff members. Since November, 2023, a concerted fundraising campaign has raised more than $2.5 million to insure the Independent’s sustainability.

Now that the Independent’s future is secure, its founding executive editor and CEO, Mark Pothier, will step down later this year, and looks forward to working for his successor as a writer. His replacement will be the executive editor, but the CEO duties will become the responsibility of the active, nine-member Board of Directors and the Independent’s new Development Director.

Key Responsibilities

The new executive editor will work to achieve the Independent’s mission - to inform and engage the public on important local issues, including government, education, culture, land use, housing, and the environment. We maintain editorial independence and a firewall between our news coverage decisions and our sources of funding to ensure that our journalism is free from fear or favor. Our goal is to promote transparency, accountability, and community engagement through reliable, fact-based journalism.

We seek an Executive Editor to not only oversee the strategy and operations of the “Indie,’’ but also to be a proactive, on-the-ground journalist, a player-coach whose own reporting and writing will grace our news site. The successful candidate will have extensive experience, as editor and reporter. They will work hand-in-hand with a small team of reporters and the Board to expand the reach and the staff of the Independent. This role demands a profound passion for local journalism, a pioneering spirit, and a commitment to immerse oneself in Plymouth to provide firsthand coverage of important events.

The next executive editor will forge and nurture relationships with professional, civic, and private organizations to enhance our mission strategically; and will serve as our primary spokesperson, giving voice to our community and media interactions.

The new executive editor will define the scope for our coverage, spearhead the growth of our talented newsroom staff, provide hands-on supervision, uphold ethical and fair standards, balance creativity and pragmatism in our coverage, act swiftly in our fast-paced news environment, and partner with the Board to develop a fiscally responsible and sustainable annual budget.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of leadership experience in a news organization, showcasing excellent communication skills and a profound passion for local news. They should be well-versed in planning and executing in-depth stories, and have a keen interest in investigative journalism. Familiarity with the business side of a media organization is a plus, and web publishing and social media skills are required.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary, $100,000+, is competitive and commensurate with experience. The Plymouth Independent offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, vacation time, and opportunities for professional development.