Managing Director

Position description

Founded in 2016, Investigate Europe is a collective of journalists based across Europe, publishing agenda-setting investigations on issues that matter to Europeans. Our journalists report on topics of pan-European relevance and investigate the policies and laws decided in Brussels that govern our lives. 

We have reporters in 12 European countries and publish with media partners around the continent and internationally, such as the Guardian, Die Zeit, Arte, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Público, Gazeta Wyborcza and many others. Our investigations have been recognised with multiple industry award nominations, including a recent nomination for the European Press Prize 2025. 

Investigate Europe is managed as a co-operative, with a non-hierarchical structure and decisions made collectively by co-operative members. We work with full editorial independence, taking a multilingual, cross-cultural approach that ensures diverse perspectives and local relevance. Our team has doubled in size in recent years, and Investigate Europe is now recognised as a consistent and ambitious example of cross-border investigative journalism in Europe.

Our projects span a broad range of topics, and recent examples include a deep dive investigation into unequal access to medicines, revelations about secret state lobbying shaping European AI and media freedom regulations and an exposé of Europe’s multi-billion euro gambling industry. 

We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic Managing Director to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will lead our fundraising strategy, supervise strong financial management, and oversee the daily operations of a growing cross-border journalism organisation. This is a co-directorship role, managing the organisation alongside the Editorial Director. 

You will work in close collaboration with our team of investigative journalists and non-editorial staff to strengthen the organisation’s sustainability and impact. As the primary person to liaise with donors, strategic partners, and networks across Europe, you’ll represent Investigate Europe externally, building relationships that advance our mission and secure long-term support.

This is the opportunity to shape the future of an award-winning collective of investigative journalists. If you bring a strong track record in leadership, fundraising and financial oversight, we’d love to hear from you.

As the Managing Director of a co-operative, your role is distinct from leading a conventional business. Cooperatives are member-owned, member-governed organisations, and this determines how decisions are made and how success and accountability are measured. 

Fluency in English is required; German and other European language skills are a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation’s fundraising strategy, maintaining and growing a network of relevant institutional donors and philanthropists and actively seeking new fundraising avenues, particularly individual giving strategies.
• Be legally responsible for financial integrity and monitoring the annual budget in close collaboration with operational staff.
• Provide strategic vision and leadership in the operations and the growth of the organisation.
• Oversee the implementation of systems and processes for information management. 
• Provide practical support where necessary to ensure the smooth running of daily operations.
• Represent the organisation alongside the Editorial Director in interactions with prospective and existing funders and other key stakeholders.
• Create and maintain tools and systems that support fundraising efforts (small donors, membership model, etc.) and reporting to support the organisation’s growth.
• To work closely with the Editorial Director to ensure the smooth working of the co-directorship model and a willingness to share duties.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in fundraising, ideally within journalism or the broader media/nonprofit sector.
• A strong track record in building and maintaining long-term relationships with funders, foundations, and strategic partners.
• Sound financial management skills, including budget oversight, financial planning and ensuring responsible use of resources.
• An understanding of how journalism and newsrooms operate, experience in or close to the media sector is a strong asset.
• A deep commitment to co-operative values and democratic workplace practices. A strong understanding of the European political environment, including the institutions and dynamics of the EU. 
• Highly motivated and experienced in working with multilingual and multicultural teams.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a high degree of empathy, patience, and open-mindedness.

Application instructions

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