Director of Community Partnerships & Engagement

The E.W. Scripps Company; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

WEWS, The E.W. Scripps Company ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking a Senior Manager, Community Connections to bridge our station with Northeast Ohio communities.

You will build trusted relationships, translate community insights into journalistic impact, and champion engagement across forums, town halls, and public-service initiatives. You will lead cross-functional community engagement efforts, coordinate events, and work with News, Sales, Marketing, and leadership to create

Qualifications

• BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent years of experience preferred.
• Generally, 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, journalism, nonprofit leadership, communications, public affairs, partnership development, government relations, or related fields.

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 responsive, professional communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders, ensuring audience inquiries are acknowledged, routed and resolved in a timely and professional 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 meaningful 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, while sharing best practices, tracking outcomes, and developing team capabilities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Strategic thinking

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

CRM tools

Education

BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent

7+ years of community engagement/journalism/public affairs experience

Job description

WEWS, The E.W. Scripps Company ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking a Senior Manager, Community Connections to bridge our station with Northeast Ohio communities.

You will build trusted relationships, translate community insights into journalistic impact, and champion engagement across forums, town halls, and public-service initiatives. You will lead cross-functional community engagement efforts, coordinate events, and work with News, Sales, Marketing, and leadership to create