Sr. Mgr., Community Connections, WEWS
About The Position
WEWS, The E.W. Scripps Company’s ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking a Senior Manager, Community Connections to serve as the station’s primary liaison to the communities it serves. The role builds trusted relationships and turns community insights into journalistic impact, meaningful partnerships, and stronger audience connections. It leads newsroom community engagement priorities and coordinates forums, town halls, and public-service initiatives so the station remains a trusted local voice and community members feel heard and valued. The Senior Manager develops and executes a market-wide community engagement strategy aligned with station and regional priorities. Working with News, Sales, Marketing, station leadership, and external organizations, the role identifies community needs and story opportunities, connects journalists with trusted sources, advises leaders on emerging issues, and guides engagement efforts. It also oversees engagement activity logistics and stakeholder coordination, measures effectiveness, shares best practices, and develops team capabilities.
Requirements
- Generally, 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, journalism, nonprofit leadership, communications, public affairs, partnership development, government relations, or related fields.
- Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.
- Strong community listening skills and the 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 and develop trusted relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government organizations.
- Represent the station throughout the community and foster partnerships that create long-term value and impact.
- Ensure timely, responsive, and professional communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders; acknowledge, route, and resolve audience inquiries.
- Lead the 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.
Benefits
- Career path to grow professional experiences.
- Full medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as certain other health and wellness benefits.
- Retirement savings plan with company match.
- Disability accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness insurance, life insurance, AD&D insurance, ID protection, pet discount program, and employee assistance program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
