Sr Mgr, Community Connections

Are you a natural connector who thrives at the intersection of community and journalism? KSTU is looking for a passionate, strategic leader to serve as the station's primary bridge to the people, organizations, and conversations that shape our community. In this role, you won't just be part of the newsroom — you'll be the heartbeat that keeps it connected to the community it serves. From building trusted relationships with civic and nonprofit leaders to guiding story opportunities and leading impactful public forums, you'll help ensure KSTU remains an essential, credible, and trusted voice in the market. If you believe in the power of local journalism and the importance of showing up for your community, this is your opportunity to make a lasting difference.

*Applications received by November 17, 2026, will be prioritized*.

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

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

WHERE YOU'LL LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY:

Salt Lake City is a city that surprises and inspires. Nestled against the dramatic backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, it offers an unmatched quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts and culture lovers alike. Within an hour's drive you'll find some of the best skiing in the world at world-renowned resorts including Alta, Snowbird, Park City, Brighton, and Solitude — and in warmer months, those same mountains transform into a playground for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. The nearby Great Salt Lake, Red Butte Garden, and an extensive network of urban trails mean adventure is always close at hand.

Downtown Salt Lake City is a thriving, walkable hub with a booming food and arts scene, eclectic neighborhoods, and a growing reputation as a major tech corridor — often called "Silicon Slopes." The city is home to the NBA's Utah Jazz, Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, and the newly arrived Utah Hockey Club, giving sports fans plenty to cheer for year-round. Pioneer Park hosts one of the region's most beloved farmers markets, and the Natural History Museum of Utah and Utah Museum of Fine Arts offer rich cultural experiences for residents of all backgrounds.

Salt Lake City also serves as an ideal home base for exploring some of America's most spectacular landscapes. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks are all within a few hours' drive, making weekend adventures legendary. With a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major western cities, a diverse and welcoming population, and the energy of a city that continues to grow and reinvent itself, Salt Lake City is a remarkable place to build a career and a life.

#LI-SM2 #LI-Onsite

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If you are a current Scripps employee, please do not apply on this site. Please access our internal career site at Worklife > My Info > View Open Positions at Scripps.

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 creating connection. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlet Scripps News and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and its longtime motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

As an equal employment opportunity employer, The E.W. Scripps Company and its affiliates do not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law. Furthermore, the company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the company.