Sr Mgr, Community Connections, KRIS

KSHB / KMCI / The EW Scripps Company•Corpus Christi, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

KRIS, a Scripps station in Corpus Christi, Texas, is seeking a Senior Manager of Community Connections to serve as the station’s primary community connector. The role builds trusted relationships that strengthen local engagement, inform journalism, and create meaningful partnerships. Using community insights, strategic relationships, and active engagement, the position helps keep the station an essential and trusted part of community life. The Senior Manager leads day-to-day newsroom community engagement priorities and ensures the station responds promptly and thoughtfully to audience questions, story tips, community concerns, and public-facing opportunities. The role develops a market-wide engagement strategy, advises station leadership on community needs and emerging issues, and coordinates cross-functional work with News, Sales, Marketing, Operations, station leadership, and community organizations. It also plans and oversees events and engagement initiatives, coordinating stakeholders and measuring effectiveness.

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, building relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government organizations.
Represent the station in the community and foster partnerships that create long-term value and impact.
Ensure audience inquiries and other communications from community members, partners, and stakeholders are acknowledged, routed, and resolved promptly and professionally.
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 measurement of effectiveness to ensure 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 engagement efforts, share best practices, track outcomes, and develop team capabilities.