TORONTO, July 14, 2021 – The National Newspaper Awards (NNAs) is seeking a new Executive Director to replace Paul Woods, who is stepping down at the end of the organization’s current fiscal year, next June. We are starting the search for his replacement now, with the intention that the next Executive Director will work alongside Woods for a period of transition and knowledge transfer starting in September.
This is a part-time role with variable work requirements throughout the year. The Executive Director must be fully available during the month of January when contest entries are received, reviewed and approved and the judging process begins. For the rest of the year the role is part-time, with only a modest time commitment required during summer months. In addition to January, the busiest periods are the four to six weeks before winners are announced in early May, and early autumn when judges are being recruited.
This role is ideally suited for an individual who has experience in daily journalism, prefers a part-time role and/or is able to balance other professional commitments with the NNA operation and timetable. Fluency in both English and French would be an asset but is not required. Although our administrative address is in Toronto, the Executive Director may be based in any location in Canada.
The National Newspaper Awards program is committed to improving the diversity and inclusiveness of its operation, and working towards ensuring that future entrants and winners reflect Canada’s diverse nature. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, abilities and perspectives.
Role Description
The Executive Director of the National Newspaper Awards has lead responsibility for strategic direction and non-administrative operations of Canada’s most prestigious and important journalism awards program.
Reporting to the Chair of the organization’s Board of Governors, and working closely alongside the Program Director, the Executive Director serves as the organization’s “chief operating officer,” with overall responsibility for ensuring that the program runs smoothly and efficiently each year.
The Executive Director is required to maintain confidentiality on all aspects of the organization’s operation, and to make all reasonable efforts to maintain goodwill among stakeholders, including individual entrants, organizations that enter the contest, sponsors, service providers, members of the Board of Governors and other individuals and organizations that interact in any way with the NNA organization.
Duties, responsibilities and accountabilities include but are not limited to:
This is the 72nd year of the awards program, which was established in 1949 to encourage excellence and reward achievement in daily newspaper work in Canada. The competition is now open to daily newspapers, news agencies and online news sites approved for entry by the Board of Governors.
Individuals interested in being considered for this position should apply before Aug. 4 to:
Paul Woods, Executive Director
905-719-8675