Sr Mgr, Community Connections, WTMJ

The E.W. Scripps Company•Milwaukee, WI

13d•Onsite

About The Position

WTMJ, the NBC affiliate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, is seeking a Senior Manager of Community Connections. The role serves as the station’s primary link to the community, building trusted relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, education, and government leaders. The Senior Manager turns community insights into stronger journalism, meaningful partnerships, and events such as town halls and public forums. The position leads the newsroom’s daily community engagement and ensures audience questions, story tips, and concerns receive timely, thoughtful responses. It also develops and executes a market-wide community engagement strategy, advises station leadership on community needs and emerging issues, and coordinates cross-functional efforts to strengthen audience relationships and local impact.

Requirements

Generally, 7 or more 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 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 decision-making 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, developing 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 professional communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders, and see that audience inquiries are acknowledged, routed, and resolved promptly.
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.