Community Relations Manager

HUNTER COMMUNICATIONS•Salem, OR

About The Position

The Community Relations Manager serves as Hunter’s primary community representative in the Salem market. This role is responsible for building influential local relationships, strengthening Hunter’s brand presence, and supporting market growth through strategic community engagement. The position connects Hunter’s expansion goals with local stakeholders, civic leaders, and business partners to ensure long-term success in the region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Public Administration, or related field; or equivalent experience
Minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement, public affairs, economic development, government relations, or relationship-based business development
Working knowledge of local marketing principles and ability to connect community presence to subscriber acquisition and brand awareness
Established professional network within the Salem region strongly preferred
Strong understanding of local government processes and community dynamics
Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
Ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with executive leadership strategy
Demonstrated ability to translate community presence into measurable business outcomes
Strong leadership and team development capabilities with the ability to lead through influence and accountability
Financial and business acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and KPI performance management
General understanding of marketing strategy and execution, with the ability to align community partnerships, events, and outreach efforts with overall marketing goals
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage employees, executives, customers, and community stakeholders
Strategic thinking paired with strong operational execution skills
Ability to analyze complex operational challenges and implement effective solutions
Strong organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities
Working knowledge of safety practices, regulatory compliance, and risk management principles

Nice To Haves

Experience in fiber broadband or telecommunications operations
Experience scaling operations in high-growth or expansion markets
Experience working with municipal partnerships, permitting environments, or public infrastructure projects

Responsibilities

Serve as Hunter’s primary community representative within the Salem market
Develop and execute a Salem-specific community engagement strategy aligned with Hunter’s growth and expansion plans
Identify key stakeholders, influencers, and decision-makers across the local market and establish consistent, proactive engagement
Provide executive leadership with insight into local dynamics, risks, competitive activity, and growth opportunities
Build and maintain strong working relationships with city and county officials, planning and permitting departments, economic development leaders, Chamber of Commerce and business groups, school districts, workforce partners, HOAs, neighborhood associations, and community-based nonprofits
Represent Hunter at chamber meetings, civic forums, public hearings, economic development events, and other strategic community events
Serve as a trusted local point of contact for community-related questions and concerns
Educate community leaders, businesses, and residents about Hunter’s fiber network, construction timelines, service availability, and long-term economic impact
Support clear and proactive communication regarding construction activity and expansion efforts
Address concerns professionally and reinforce Hunter’s reputation as a reliable, community-first infrastructure partner
Partner with Marketing to elevate local storytelling that highlights Hunter’s investment in Salem
Leverage local relationships to support neighborhood expansion, commercial development access, multi-dwelling opportunities, and public-private partnerships
Collaborate with Sales, Construction, Operations, and Marketing to ensure aligned messaging and coordinated outreach efforts
Help remove barriers and accelerate market entry through relationship-based influence
Identify and recommend high-impact sponsorships and partnerships aligned with Hunter’s brand and values
Ensure Hunter maintains a meaningful, strategic presence in Salem, prioritizing influence and measurable impact over volume-based event participation
Track engagement activity and measure effectiveness against defined growth and relationship goals