Job Title: Publisher
Organization: Monterey County Weekly / Monterey County Now Location: Monterey County, CA (in-office/ not remote) Reports to: President and CEO Compensation: $145,000 – $175,000 base salary + performance-based bonus
The Opportunity
Milestone Communications Inc., publisher of Monterey County Weekly, Monterey County Now, Salinas Valley Now, and the Best of Monterey Bay® magazines—the region’s leading independent news source—is seeking a visionary and community-minded Publisher. Following our tradition of editorial excellence and local impact, you will serve as the chief day-to-day manager of the company and a senior executive of the brand, overseeing both the business operations and the strategic direction of our print and digital platforms.
This is a high-impact role for a leader who understands that a healthy democracy requires a healthy local news ecosystem. You will be responsible for driving revenue growth, fostering a culture of innovation, and serving as the face of the organization within the Monterey County community.
Monterey County Weekly was founded by the current CEO in 1988 and has a long tradition of excellence in journalism, editorial independence, public service, impact in the community and a profitable business operation. The Weekly is the back-to-back winner of First Place - General Excellence amongst large weekly papers at the 2024 and 2025 California Journalism Awards. Monterey County Gives! a philanthropic fundraising campaign that the Weekly initiated and has spearheaded with the Community Foundation for Monterey County in 2000 has raised over $99 million for local nonprofits, including $17.1 million in 2025. And while much of the media industry has retreated under financial pressures our company has remained profitable and even expanded news operations in 2026 with the creation of a new digital product: Salinas Valley Now.
The Weekly, and its digital platforms, is a rare journalism enterprise in today’s media landscape and is seeking its next leader to help shape its future for the coming decades. This is the first time a new publisher will have been hired since 1999.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Partner with the President and CEO to set and execute long and short-term goals. You will lead the innovations in technology and content delivery while maintaining the integrity and strength of our flagship print product.
- Revenue Growth & Sustainability: Directly oversee advertising, digital marketing services, custom publishing operations and reader revenue. You will be expected to identify and grow new revenue streams.
- Operations & P&L Management: Manage the annual budget and day-to-day operations. You’ll ensure the organization remains profitable and efficient while investing in the talent and tools necessary for growth.
- Ambassador: Represent the company at community events, non-profit boards, and business associations. You are a primary liaison between the publication and the diverse stakeholders of Monterey County.
- Team Development: Lead and mentor a dedicated staff across sales, production, technology and administration. You will foster a collaborative environment that prizes creative problem-solving and journalistic independence.
Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum of 7–10 years in journalism, media management, publishing, or high-level sales leadership. Experience in an Associate Publisher or Director role is highly preferred.
- Business Acumen: A proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets and managing complex P&L statements.
- Digital Fluency: A deep understanding of digital advertising and how to leverage digital platforms to expand audience reach.
- Local Roots (or a desire to build them): You must understand the unique cultural and economic landscape of Monterey County and be prepared to immerse yourself fully in the community.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Journalism, or a related field; advanced degree in journalism or business administration a plus.
The Ideal Candidate
You are a "player-coach." You aren't afraid to join a high-level sales pitch one hour, defend a news story the next and dive into operational logistics before the day is out. You possess a growth mindset and believe that local journalism is a vital, thriving business sector. Most importantly, you have the determination and creativity to lead an independent media company in an evolving industry.
Benefits & Perks
- Base salary of $145,000-$175,000 plus performance-based bonus.
- Annual bonus structure based on KPIs and profitability.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with company match; profit sharing.
- The opportunity to live and work in one of the most beautiful coastal regions in the world.
Application Process
Submit a cover letter describing your commitment to local journalism and what makes you the ideal candidate for this role along with your resume to Erik Cushman, publisher, at erik@montereycountynow.com