Project Director - Civic Information Pilot

Date Posted	February 03, 2026
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Local News
Remote / Telecommute	Telecommute
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	$6,000 - $7,500 per month

Description:

Get Real News - 4-Month Initial Contract Role

Position Overview

Get Real News is seeking an organized, entrepreneurial Project Manager with a journalism background for a 4-month contract to work on a groundbreaking pilot in a rural community with little to no local news. We aim to build a “newsroom of the future” by figuring out better ways to get people the local information they actually need, and build a model that could work in other communities as well. This project offers strong potential for long-term employment based on project success.

This is a unique opportunity to work alongside award-winning veteran journalists on an innovative project that's reimagining how communities access vital local information. 

This role will coordinate all aspects of a project that combines community research, journalism and modern ways of sharing information via trusted creators. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, journalistic sensibility, and a scrappy, entrepreneurial approach to building something new. You'll serve as the central coordinator across research, content development, and community engagement while building relationships with local stakeholders and ensuring the pilot generates actionable insights for scaling this model regionally.

Why This Role Matters

• Build the Newsroom of the Future: Be part of creating an entirely new model for how journalism serves communities in the digital age and that is scalable to other rural and underserved communities

• Groundbreaking Work: Address one of journalism's most pressing challenges — serving news deserts with sustainable, community-centered information systems

• Learn from the Best: Collaborate directly with award-winning journalists who are thought leaders in civic media innovation

• Career-Defining Experience: Gain hands-on experience with an innovative model at the cutting edge of journalism's evolution

• Long-Term Opportunity: Strong potential to transition into a permanent role as the project expands

Contract Details

Duration: 4 months initially

Start Date: mid-February

Location: Remote with potential visit/s to local communities near Pittsburgh

Primary Responsibilities

Project Coordination & Implementation

• Manage day-to-day execution of the pilot from initial research through implementation

• Develop and maintain detailed project timelines and deliverable schedules

• Coordinate across internal teams including journalists, community engagement staff, and content creators

• Ensure all project components meet quality standards and grant deadlines

Editorial & Content Oversight

• Apply journalistic judgment to ensure content meets standards for accuracy, relevance, and community alignment

• Draft content themes based on community input and identified information gaps

• Establish quality control processes for video-based community information delivery

• Balance journalistic integrity with modern distribution approaches

Stakeholder Engagement & Research

• Build relationships with local stakeholders, including community organizations, educators, and potential content partners to establish community information needs and preferences

• Work with Director of Audience Engagement and Digital Strategy to: 1) identify and document how information currently flows through the community and 2) where technology gaps exist and how to solve them 

• Design and oversee the community research and listening sessions, including interview protocols for residents, civic groups, and community institutions

• Map community connectors and assess partnership feasibility

• Document findings, lessons learned and conditions necessary for sustained implementation 

Trusted Messenger Network Development

• Lead the identification and vetting process for community messengers with authentic local reach

• Conduct interviews with prospective content creators and assess alignment with local needs

• Develop content calendars that reflect residents' information priorities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field (or equivalent experience) (Masters preferred)

• 3-5 years of journalism experience, preferably including local or community reporting

• Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple priorities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Self-starter mentality with ability to work independently and figure things out as you go

• Commitment to community-centered approaches and listening to local voices

• Ability to work efficiently within a defined contract timeline

• Passion for the future of journalism and civic engagement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in or with rural communities

• Familiarity with social media content creation and the creator economy

• Knowledge of civic engagement or community organizing 

• Understanding of news desert challenges and innovative journalism models

Competencies

• Highly Organized: Creates systems to track complex projects with multiple moving parts and keeps everything on schedule

• Journalistic Integrity: Applies news judgment and editorial standards while adapting to new information delivery models

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Comfortable with ambiguity and building something new; resourceful problem-solver who can work with limited resources

• Relationship Builder: Establishes trust with diverse stakeholders including community members, creators, and institutional partners

• Adaptable & Scrappy: Rolls up sleeves, pivots when needed, and finds creative solutions to unexpected challenges

About Get Real News

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in this work, and two professional references to careers@getrealnews.org. Include "Contract Project Manager - Civic Information Pilot" in the subject line.

In your cover letter, please tell us why you're excited about helping to build a newsroom of the future and what you hope to contribute to reimagining local journalism.

Get Real News is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience in rural or underserved communities.