Senior Lead, Community Engagement & Partnerships

KXXV, 25 News; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KXXV, The Scripps station in Waco, Texas, seeks a Sr Mgr of Community Connections to serve as the primary link between the station and the local community, building trusted relationships that inform journalism and foster partnerships. The role leads day-to-day newsroom community engagement priorities and ensures timely, thoughtful responses to audience questions, tips, concerns, and public engagements.

You will develop a market-wide community engagement strategy, coordinate cross-functional

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

Community engagement

Public speaking

Strategic thinking

Communication/writing

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Empathy

Education

BS/BA in related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

Collaboration tools

Job description

KXXV, The Scripps station in Waco, Texas, seeks a Sr Mgr of Community Connections to serve as the primary link between the station and the local community, building trusted relationships that inform journalism and foster partnerships. The role leads day-to-day newsroom community engagement priorities and ensures timely, thoughtful responses to audience questions, tips, concerns, and public engagements.

You will develop a market-wide community engagement strategy, coordinate cross-functional