Sr. Mgr., Community Connections, WKBW
About The Position
WKBW, an E.W. Scripps Company ABC affiliate in Buffalo, New York, is seeking a Sr. Manager, Community Connections to serve as the station’s primary bridge between its newsroom and the community. The role cultivates trusted partnerships across civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government organizations, translating community insight into journalism, events, and audience relationships. The position develops and executes a market-wide community engagement strategy, advises station leadership on community needs and emerging issues, and coordinates cross-functional engagement efforts. It partners with newsroom, sales, marketing, and station teams to identify stories, connect journalists with sources, address audience inquiries, and create events and initiatives that strengthen community relationships. The role also oversees engagement logistics and measures effectiveness. The position is based in Buffalo, New York. The annual salary range for work performed in New York is $95,000–$105,000. Applications received by November 4 receive priority consideration; applications received afterward may continue to be reviewed as needed.
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 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, developing 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 and responsive communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders, and ensure audience inquiries are acknowledged, routed, and resolved in a timely manner.
- 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
- A 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 insurance.
- Critical illness insurance.
- Life insurance.
- AD&D insurance.
- ID protection.
- Pet discount program.
- Employee assistance program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
