Director of Audience

Join the Nashville Banner as Director of Audience

The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit newsroom delivering community-informed journalism that engages and empowers people across Middle Tennessee. As the Banner embarks on a three-year initiative to double the size of our news organization, we're seeking a Director of Audience to lead how people discover, engage with and build lasting relationships with our journalism.

This is a senior leadership role at a pivotal moment. The Director of Audience will own top-of-funnel growth, experiment with new ways to connect with the community across platforms, and help define how our journalism shows up in people's daily lives — with an emphasis on building direct relationships with a growing, diverse audience.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Audience is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive audience growth strategy for the Nashville Banner. This includes expanding our reach to new readers, growing and refining our newsletter portfolio, increasing engagement and loyalty, and using data to inform content and distribution decisions.

You will lead audience development efforts across channels — including newsletters, search, social and emerging platforms — while partnering closely with editors, reporters and development. This role blends strategic vision, data fluency and hands-on leadership, and will play a central role in the Banner's long-term sustainability.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead top-of-funnel growth efforts, including search, social, platform distribution and referral strategies
• Own newsletter strategy, including growth, engagement, performance and experimentation
• Manage and set goals for social media strategy with a focus on brand discovery
• Oversee audience engagement for podcasts, partnering with editorial teams on audience development
• Identify and launch new audience products, from newsletters to video content targeting younger audiences
• Work with staff across departments to design and promote live and virtual events
• Partner with editors and reporters to inform content strategy based on audience needs
• Develop and oversee audience KPIs, translating data into actionable insights
• Lead and mentor audience-focused staff, fostering a culture of curiosity and experimentation
• Stay ahead of industry trends in newsletters, podcasts and audience engagement

YOU'LL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE IF YOU

• Believe direct relationships with audience — especially through newsletters and podcasts — are essential to local journalism
• Are energized by growing an audience from the ground up through experimentation
• Are comfortable using data to guide decisions without losing sight of editorial judgment and mission
• Enjoy collaborating across teams and translating audience insights into action
• Are ready to lead, coach and build systems in a fast-growing newsroom
• Care deeply about strengthening local news and civic life in Middle Tennessee

REQUIREMENTS

• At least five years of experience in audience development, engagement, analytics or related roles
• Demonstrated success growing and managing newsletters, podcasts, social media or other direct-to-audience products
• Strong analytical skills and experience translating metrics into action
• Excellent written, digital and interpersonal skills
• Enthusiasm for the Nashville Banner's mission and full grasp of our community-first approach