Sr Mgr, Community Connections, WTXL

Media Networks, Inc.; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WTXL, the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee, Florida, is seeking a Senior Manager of Community Connections to serve as the station's primary link to the community.

You will build trusted relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, education, and government leaders, turning insights into stronger journalism, partnerships, and events people attend.

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 relationships with community stakeholders to identify issues and opportunities.
• Communicate community insights to leadership, newsroom teams, and partners.
• Identify story opportunities and connect journalists with trusted sources.
• Develop trusted relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, education, and government groups.
• Represent the station and foster partnerships that create long-term value and impact.
• Ensure timely, professional responses to audience inquiries and concerns.
• Plan and execute forums, town halls, and community initiatives.
• Collaborate with News, Sales, Marketing, and leadership to strengthen community engagement.
• Oversee event logistics, stakeholder coordination, and impact measurement.
• Develop a market-wide community engagement strategy aligned with priorities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Networking

Community listening

Public speaking

Writing

Presentation

Cross-functional influence

Project management

Empathy

Diplomacy

Education

BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent years of experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

Collaboration tools

Job description

WTXL, the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee, Florida, owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, is searching for a Senior Manager of Community Connections. You'll be the station's main link to the community, building trusted relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, education and government leaders. You'll turn community insights into stronger journalism, partnerships that matter and events people show up for, like town halls and public forums. You'll also lead the newsroom's daily community engagement and make sure audience questions, story tips and concerns get a fast, thoughtful response. If you love connecting people and making a real local impact, we want to hear from you. Tallahassee gives you Southern charm, college-game-day excitement and miles of trails and green space. It's a capital city that still feels like home.

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 fields

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills
• Strong community listening skills and ability to recognize emerging issues and opportunities
• Strategic thinking and judgment; 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

SCRIPPS' COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE THAT CREATES CONNECTION:

At Scripps, we are committed to a culture that reflects the audiences and communities we serve. We are intentional about creating an environment where employees, our audiences and other stakeholders feel valued and inspired to reach their full potential and create connections. To successfully deliver on this commitment, we must understand and reflect the values and perspectives those around us embody. That process begins by looking inward to build and celebrate a respectful workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection. By continuing to cultivate an environment where all employees have a fair chance to succeed, are included, valued, and seen, we will strengthen the connections that drive positive business impact and align with our core purpose.

ABOUT SCRIPPS:

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on c