Senior Manager, Community Connections - KPAX

The E.W. Scripps Company; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The E.W. Scripps Company’s KPAX in Missoula is seeking a passionate community engagement leader to bridge the station with people and organizations across civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government sectors.

You will translate community insight into action that strengthens journalism, builds trust, and creates lasting local impact through storytelling, strategy, and service. If you thrive at the intersection of storytelling and community service, this role offers the chance to shape

Qualifications

• BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent years of experience.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, journalism, nonprofit leadership, communications, public affairs, partnership development or a related field.
• Valid driver's license with proof of insurance as required.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders to understand issues, priorities, and opportunities.
• Gather, analyze, and communicate community insights to leadership, newsroom teams, and partners.
• Partner with News to identify story opportunities and connect journalists with trusted sources.
• Serve as the station's primary community liaison with civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government organizations.
• Represent the station and foster partnerships that create long-term value and impact.
• Ensure responsive, professional communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders.
• Lead planning and execution of forums, town halls, and public-service initiatives.
• Collaborate with News, Sales, Marketing, and leadership to strengthen audience relationships.
• Oversee event logistics, stakeholder coordination, and measurement of engagement impact.
• Develop and execute a market-wide community engagement strategy aligned with priorities.
• Advise leadership on community needs and opportunities to strengthen trust.
• Lead cross-functional engagement efforts and share best practices while developing team capabilities.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder relations

Strategic communication

Partnership development

Public affairs

Education

BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent years of experience

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Are you a connector, a listener, and a community champion? KPAX is looking for a passionate and strategic community engagement leader to serve as the station's primary bridge to the people and organizations that define our market. In this role, you'll build trusted relationships across civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government sectors — translating community insight into action that strengthens our journalism, deepens audience trust, and creates lasting local impact. If you thrive at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and service, this is your opportunity to shape how KPAX shows up for the community it serves.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• 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.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 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 field
• Valid driver's license, good driving record, and ability to provide proof of insurance with the company required insurance