The Center for Michigan seeks a Chief Operating Officer

• The Center for Michigan, publisher of Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit, seeks a chief operating officer
• The COO, in partnership with the CEO, assures decisions across our nonprofit organization are aligned with our organizational mission and values
• The position focuses on leadership, management, human resources, systems and processes to maximize the overall impact of the Center and its public service journalism and engagement

The Center for Michigan, the nonprofit publisher of Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit, is continuing to evolve its senior leadership, seeking a chief operating officer after Katy Locker ascended to chief executive officer on Jan. 1.

Locker had served as chief operating officer for the past two years and succeeded longtime CEO John Bebow, who is serving as publisher of Bridge Michigan in 2023 and will continue as an adviser thereafter.

The change follows rapid expansion at the Center in the past few years, growing Bridge Michigan into one of the nation’s leading nonprofit news organizations and helping launch BridgeDetroit in 2020. In recent years, Bridge Michigan has expanded coverage and hired breaking news, business, health and state government reporters.

The hiring of the chief operating officer is another step in that process, and will help drive the effectiveness of the Center for Michigan’s leadership, management, human resources, systems and processes to maximize the overall impact of the center and its public service.

“We’re excited to find this critical leader for our evolving work,” Locker said. “This is an important hire for us. Someone who will add to our workplace culture and challenge us to be better.”

The COO will serve as a partner with the CEO and the entire organization, as Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit continue to grow. The Center has a staff of 26, including 15 Bridge Michigan journalists and BridgeDetroit’s six journalists.

The chief operating officer will work closely with the CEO and our entire team in the areas of strategy, project management, human resources and finance. Greater detail about the responsibilities and desired capabilities and experience for this position can be found here.

The position will be expected to work out of the Center for Michigan’s Ypsilanti office in a hybrid work-from-office/work-from-home environment, spending approximately 2 to 3 days a week in the office working with other Center staff. The position reports to the Center for Michigan’s CEO Katy Locker.

The targeted compensation for this position begins at $120,000 annually. Benefits include medical, vision and dental insurance, 4 to 6 weeks of maternity/paternity/adoption leave, and a minimum three weeks paid time off per year, in addition to eight paid holidays.

The Center for Michigan is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in our workforce and creating an inclusive environment. As we work toward building an organization that better reflects the communities we serve, we especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The Center for Michigan will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including familial status, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, disability/handicap, height, weight, marital status, familial status, veteran status, citizenship, or any other classification protected by federal or state law or local ordinance.

If you are interested in the position, please see the full job posting here and submit an application. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2023.