States Newsroom Operations Assistant

States Newsroom is seeking a highly organized and efficient Operations Assistant to support the crucial behind-the-scenes operations that make our work possible.

States Newsroom is the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, with reporting from every capital. Our work provides key insight on policy and politics at no cost to the reader — no pop-ups, paywalls or ads. After completing our expansion in 2024, States Newsroom now employs more than 220 full-time editors, reporters, and support staff covering 39 states; in the remaining 11 states, we partner with and support already-established nonprofit newsrooms. We are seeking an organized and effective Operations Assistant to perform key administrative and financial tasks that ensure our operations run smoothly.

Based at our headquarters office in Chapel Hill, NC, the Operations Assistant will be responsible for a broad range of administrative responsibilities, including financial data entry, analytics data compilation, database management, internal communications, customer service and general office management. This position reports to the Operations Manager and works closely with other Operations and Finance team members to streamline processes and deliver exceptional support to our network of journalists.

If you are a highly organized and adaptable professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and wants to support state and local journalism’s essential role in our democracy, this job is for you!

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee vendor onboarding and assist with vendor questions and concerns
• Process approved invoices through accounts payable system on a weekly basis
• Perform data entry for check and EFT donation information
• Assist with donor questions and requests via email and phone
• Pull monthly and ad-hoc donation reports for financial reconciliation and grant reporting
• Assist with internal knowledge base content updates and other internal communications
• Manage press mentions database, including the coding of clips coming into database
• Gather and compile weekly analytics reports
• Assist with meeting and conference planning for our annual manager summits
• Manage the HQ office, including ordering and coordinating materials, contracts, and other services required for office operations
• Other administrative tasks and operational tasks, as required

Qualifications & Compensation

We’re looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Administrative work experience (gained through full-time work experience or internships)
• Experience with a variety of tech systems, including Google Suite, Zoom, Asana, CRMs, and expense management platforms like Zoho Expense;
• Strong technological aptitude and ability to learn new systems and tools quickly
• Exceptional project management and multitasking skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated with strong organizational skills
• Enthusiastic support for the power of journalism in democracy

The minimum salary for this role is $53,000 and rises with experience.

Authorization to work in the United States is required. At this time, States Newsroom is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

About Our Culture

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat.

States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission.

At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.

How to Apply

To apply, send a cover letter and resume with at least three professional references to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• Platinum level health insurance with premiums covered at 100% for employees (and majority of premiums covered for qualified dependents)
• 4 weeks of vacation per year
• 2 weeks of personal leave per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• 20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
• $75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• $200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
• $75 monthly fitness benefit
• 401K with up to 3% match
• 12 weeks of parental leave
• Full-service EAP