Senior Manager, Community Connection - KTVQ

KSHB / KMCI / The EW Scripps Company•Billings, MT

14d•Onsite

About The Position

KTVQ seeks a strategic community engagement leader to serve as the station’s primary connection to the people and organizations that shape its market. The role builds trusted relationships across civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government sectors, and turns community insight into action that strengthens journalism, audience trust, and local impact. The position represents the station throughout the community and works closely with News, Sales, Marketing, Operations, station leadership, and community partners. The Senior Manager develops and executes a market-wide engagement strategy aligned with station and regional priorities; leads community events and initiatives; communicates community needs and emerging issues to station leadership; and coordinates cross-functional engagement efforts. The role also supports newsroom story development and audience engagement, manages event logistics and stakeholder coordination, ensures timely and professional responses to audience inquiries, measures engagement outcomes, shares best practices, and helps develop team capabilities. The position is based in Billings, Montana.

Requirements

Generally, 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, journalism, nonprofit leadership, communications, public affairs, partnership development, government relations, or a related field.
Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.
Strong community listening skills and ability to recognize emerging issues and opportunities.
Strategic thinking and judgment, with the ability to translate insight into action.
Strong facilitation, public speaking, writing, and presentation skills.
Ability to influence across News, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and community organizations.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Empathy, cultural awareness, diplomacy, discretion, and integrity.
Ability to work independently and adapt to change.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM/community relationship platforms, and collaboration tools.
Strong customer-service mindset, conflict-resolution skills, and sound judgment when responding to audience questions, concerns, and sensitive community issues.

Nice To Haves

BS/BA in a related discipline or equivalent years of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders to understand emerging issues, priorities, and opportunities.
Gather, analyze, and communicate community insights to station leadership, newsroom teams, and partners to inform decisions and coverage.
Partner with News to identify story opportunities, connect journalists with trusted sources, and support audience engagement across community channels.
Serve as the station’s primary community liaison to civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government organizations.
Represent the station throughout the community and foster partnerships that create long-term value and impact.
Ensure professional communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders, and ensure audience inquiries are acknowledged, routed, and resolved in a timely manner.
Lead planning and execution of forums, town halls, public-service initiatives, educational programs, and other community engagement activities.
Partner with News, Sales, Marketing, and station leadership to create opportunities that strengthen audience relationships and community impact.
Oversee event logistics, stakeholder coordination, and effectiveness measurement to ensure engagement activities are inclusive, relevant, and impactful.
Develop and execute a market-wide community engagement strategy aligned with station and regional priorities.
Advise station leadership on community needs, emerging issues, and opportunities to strengthen trust and local impact.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional community engagement efforts, share best practices, track outcomes, and develop team capabilities.