The American Prospect (TAP) is a dynamic national magazine (six issues per year) and daily website about ideas, politics, and power, praised by Politico (“a liberal bulwark… flexing some Biden-era muscle”), the Columbia Journalism Review (“the magazine of the moment”), and the Washington Post (“If you want to understand what’s happening inside the Biden administration and the broader Democratic Party, the Prospect is a must-read.”).
TAP seeks a publisher to run business operations, increase readership and engagement, and enhance fundraising. This is an opportunity to take a leadership role with an influential nonprofit journalism outlet that is renowned for successfully informing public policy. The ideal candidate will have a track record of success in leadership and management roles. Publishing experience is preferred, as the job involves all aspects of the business of journalism. Experience managing websites is helpful. Experience building and growing nonprofit organizations is a plus.
Responsibilities
As publisher and business development manager, you will be responsible for identifying business opportunities, managing partnerships, and driving audience growth for the company. Your primary focus will be on increasing revenue through strategic initiatives and relationship building, expanding TAP’s readership and donor base. You will also be responsible for oversight of bookkeeping and accounting, as well as human resources for a small but mighty staff (currently 14 employees).
- Financial and office management: Plan and present annual budget, track income and expenses, and report monthly on cash flow. Supervise administrative staff and activities, oversee and coordinate meetings and events, and handle correspondence. Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures as well as legal regulations, handling confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Audience development: Identify key strategies for increasing and monetizing audience growth and formulate actionable plans to capitalize on them, overseeing email automation and newsletter strategy and customer service for raising funds from print subscriptions and digital memberships.
- Fundraising: Work with senior staff and TAP’s nonprofit board of directors to identify potential opportunities for funding, sharing trends, needs, and information on the competitive landscape with the executive team. This includes developing pitches, and talking to potential donors. Manage the grant application process, including deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance.
- Sales and revenue generation: Supervise advertising sales efforts, developing persuasive presentations and proposals for potential clients.
- Communication and collaboration: Nurture and maintain relationships with donors, partners and vendors, negotiating partnership agreements and work contracts to mutual benefit. Supervise the technical aspects of TAP’s publishing systems. Collaborate with internal teams, including TAP’s bargaining unit, to align content production and operational strategy, and support execution. Foster a positive, inclusive and productive work environment.
Requirements
- Expert skills in QuickBooks, Google Workspace, online payment and banking applications including PayPal and Stripe, and experience with additional software-as-a-service integrations pertinent in the publishing and grant application fields. Familiarity with postal regulations is key.
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, financial analysis, and fundraising stewardship.
- Excellent writing, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Prior experience in fundraising development, nonprofit management and the publishing field are all extremely beneficial.
Key competencies
- Financial acumen and fundraising strategy.
- Team leadership and management.
- Relationship building and collaboration.
- Program and project management.
- Familiarity with nonprofit governance and communication law and ethics.
- Experience in negotiating contracts and managing audits.
Position type: Full-time, exempt.
Compensation: Salary starts at $120,000 plus benefits, based on experience.
Location: Hybrid remote; Washington, D.C. preferred. Must be able to work in the United States. Occasional travel for meetings and workshops.
Work schedule: TAP is a hybrid remote organization, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and stakeholders in many time zones. Attendance at certain meetings and events is required, but schedules are otherwise flexible, with an expectation of 37.5 hours each week.
Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 20 days paid vacation and 10 health days accrue in the first year; 11 holidays, plus Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. Flexplan, retirement account, family leave, and more.
Equipment: TAP will provide the software and hardware necessary for this position.
Selection timeline: TAP will begin reviewing applications on April 18, 2024, and will preference those received before that date. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Applicants will be informed if they are advancing to an interview, and all applicants will be notified when the role is filled.
TAP is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Work with us remotely, or at our offices in Washington, D.C.
2024 Editorial Internships
The American Prospect is devoted to promoting informed discourse on public-policy matters from a progressive perspective through narrative interpretation of complex issues. We don’t just make magazines, we make a difference.
The Prospect hosts three classes of interns each year with flexible dates ranging from January to April; May to August; and September to December.
Editorial interns assist with research, fact-checking, social media, data entry and library services for both the print magazine and the daily website. Interns are encouraged to contribute editorially, writing book briefs and articles as assigned, and participating in generating story ideas, as well as pursuing their own projects under the guidance of Prospect staff. We encourage interns to fully integrate themselves into the Prospect’s editorial operations while taking full advantage of the public events only available in Washington, D.C.
This is the perfect internship for journalism, political science, and economics majors. Juniors, seniors and grad students are encouraged to apply. Full and part time internships available; stipend is $100 per day.
Here's what recent interns have to say:
The internship with The American Prospect helped me grow so much as a reporter and writer. Under the careful guidance of Prospect editors, I was able to pitch, report, and write stories almost immediately as an intern. Interns are treated as real members of the Prospect team, getting to sit in on editorial meetings and contribute to fact-checking the print edition of the magazine. All members of the Prospect staff were extremely available and eager to help me, whether offering advice on a story or looking out for career opportunities after the internship.
—Elizabeth Meisenzahl, Summer 2023
My summer with The American Prospect gave me the freedom to explore topics I am passionate about and wanted to cover. TAP also allowed me to write more creatively and expressively than other outlets I’ve worked at. The editors and staff writers at TAP are able to provide new perspectives and wonderful guidance when it comes to writing and researching new topics. I loved learning from the journalistic experiences of the staff and asking for advice on stories, job applications, and more. I highly recommend any internship opportunities at The American Prospect.
—Emma Murphy, Summer 2023
TAP’s internship is a marvelous opportunity for aspiring political journalists to gain a wealth of hands-on editorial experience in a friendly, small-staff environment. Whether you’ve never written a news story before or have dozens under your belt, there is a great deal to learn from the magazine’s incredibly knowledgeable and accomplished staff. Everyone is extremely approachable, including those at the top of the masthead. While interning there as a recent journalism graduate, I not only sharpened my skills as a writer and reporter, but acquired new skills in fact-checking and social media management. We were strongly encouraged to participate and share ideas in editorial meetings and had plenty of room in our daily schedules to work on our articles. I cannot recommend this internship more emphatically.
—Imani Sumbi, Spring 2023
I know it’s called an internship, but “apprenticeship” would also be apt. Each aspect of the work I did helped me grow as a journalist and writer, including reading several TAP pieces a week to do my part to maintain our social media presence. Fact-checking was particularly eye-opening because I was able to see how other reporters keep track of their notes, interviews, and how they piece together a story. Several people on staff made sure to meet with me and hear about my interests and offer their advice. In the end, I learned so much about pitching, revising, working on assignment, and about the industry overall. I know other internships are probably great, but this one was extraordinary.
—Liz Rosenberg, Summer 2023
Your TAP Internship application includes...
Your résumé.
Three writing samples. Consider clips or posts, academic papers and unpublished pieces.
Your cover letter. In your letter, please give your assessment of the current political moment; and your interest in The American Prospect's journalism OR how an internship with the Prospect would align/advance your personal/career goals.
NOTE: This Internship application is DIFFERENT from the Writing Fellowship application.
The next deadline is Monday, March 25, 2024.
Positions are remote, or in the our Washington, D.C., headquarters.
The American Prospect prioritizes attracting diverse talent and cultivating an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. All qualified applicants will be considered, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other such characteristic.