This is a rare opportunity to run a semi-autonomous local news organization - one with its own editorial team, sales operation, and marketing function - inside a well-resourced national network. The GM owns the P&L, sets the strategy, and is accountable for City Cast DC's growth as both a journalism organization and a business. You'll report directly to the CEO of City Cast.
Deadline to apply: July 17, 2026
What You'll DoOwn the Business
- Own City Cast DC's full P&L - revenue, costs, and operating performance
- Set and execute the annual business plan, including subscription growth, advertising revenue, and operating budget
- Drive audience and subscriber growth through editorial and product excellence, keen marketing strategy, and an energetic community presence
- Work closely with City Cast HQ on strategy, capital allocation, and performance goals
Lead the Team
- Directly manage and develop the DC leadership team, including the Executive Producer and Sales Director.
- Oversee and coach a high-performing, mission-driven organization of reporters, editors, sales staff, and audience development professionals. Staff is currently 15 FTEs and will be growing.
- Foster a culture of editorial ambition, accountability, and innovation
- Serve as the connective tissue between a growing local operation and the broader City Cast network, sharing back insights and successful tactics and strategies
Drive Editorial Vision
- Partner closely with the Executive Producer to ensure City Cast DC's journalism is indispensable, distinctive, and trusted
- Champion editorial standards, audience connection, and the City Cast voice across all platforms - podcast, newsletter, web, video, and social
- Be a visible and credible presence in Washington's media and civic landscape
Build the Brand
- Lead local marketing strategy in collaboration with City Cast's national marketing team
- Develop partnerships, advertising sponsorships, and community relationships that extend reach and deepen local trust
- Build and drive a successful membership and subscription strategy, turning engaged readers and listeners into paying supporters
Compete to Win
- Develop a clear-eyed competitive strategy for going up against established DC media brands - and winning audiences and advertisers away from them
- Identify gaps in DC's local news landscape and build products and coverage that fill them
- Stay close to the DC market: its politics, its neighborhoods, its personalities, and its needs
RequirementsWhat You Bring- 10+ years of experience in media, journalism, or a closely related field, with significant time in business or operational leadership roles
- Demonstrated experience owning a P&L or running a business unit, ideally in local media, digital media, or news
- Deep knowledge of Washington, DC - its political ecosystem, its neighborhoods, its media culture, and its audience
- Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary teams across editorial, sales, and/or marketing functions
- Track record of growing audience and revenue in a competitive media environment
- Strong instincts for editorial quality combined with fluency in the business side of media - subscriptions, advertising, sponsorships, and audience development
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a comfort operating in fast-moving, resource-constrained environments
- An active network of relationships in DC's media, civic, and political communities
- Genuine passion for local journalism and a belief in its importance to democratic life
BenefitsCompensationBase Salary Range: $160,000-$190,000
Total Compensation includes:
- Performance bonus tied to P&L outcomes (revenue growth, subscription targets, audience milestones)
- Full benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage
- Pension (as offered across Graham Holdings affiliates)
City Cast is an affiliate of Graham Holdings.
