Senior Manager, Community Connections, WTVF

ION Media Networks, Inc.Nashville, TennesseeHybrid, On-siteFull-timeSenior, 5–8 yearsListed 3 hours ago

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About this role

At Scripps, we believe strong local journalism starts with strong community connections. As the Sr. Manager, Community Connections at WTVF, NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, Tennessee, you’ll serve as a primary connector between the station and the communities of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, building trusted relationships that deepen local engagement, inform our journalism and create meaningful partnerships.

You’ll bring community voices and insights into the newsroom while helping ensure questions, concerns and story ideas are heard and acted on thoughtfully. Working across News, Sales, Marketing and station leadership, you’ll turn community intelligence into opportunities for greater impact. Your work will help ensure NewsChannel 5 remains an essential, responsive and trusted part of life across Middle Tennessee.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

- Build and maintain trusted relationships with civic, nonprofit, business, educational, government and other community stakeholders to understand emerging issues, priorities and opportunities.
- Gather, analyze and share community insights with station leadership, newsroom teams and partners to help inform decision-making, journalism and local engagement.
- Partner with News to identify story opportunities, connect journalists with trusted sources and strengthen audience engagement across community channels.
- Represent WTVF throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee and develop partnerships that create long-term value, trust and local impact.
- Respond to community members, partners and stakeholders with timely, professional communication, ensuring audience questions, concerns and story tips are acknowledged, routed and resolved appropriately.
- Lead the planning and execution of forums, town halls, public-service initiatives, educational programs and other community engagement activities.
- Collaborate with News, Sales, Marketing, Operations and station leadership to develop meaningful opportunities that strengthen audience relationships and community impact.
- Oversee event logistics and stakeholder coordination while measuring effectiveness to ensure engagement activities are inclusive, relevant and impactful.
- Develop and execute a market-wide community engagement strategy aligned with station and regional priorities, advising leadership on community needs, emerging issues and opportunities to strengthen trust and local impact.
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional community engagement efforts, sharing best practices, tracking outcomes and helping build engagement capabilities across teams.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or equivalent years of relevant experience preferred.
- Generally, 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, journalism, nonprofit leadership, communications, public affairs, partnership development, government relations or a related field.
- 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, with the ability to establish credibility across a wide range of communities and organizations.
- Strong community listening skills and the ability to recognize emerging issues, needs and opportunities.
- Strategic thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to translate community insights into meaningful action.
- Strong facilitation, public speaking, writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across News, Sales, Marketing, Operations, station leadership and external community organizations.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Empathy, cultural awareness, diplomacy, discretion and integrity when working with diverse communities and sensitive topics.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative and adapt effectively to changing community and business needs.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM or community relationship platforms and collaboration tools.
- A strong customer-service mindset, conflict-resolution skills and sound judgment when responding to audience questions, concerns and sensitive community issues.

Application Review:

Applications received by November 18, 2026 will receive priority consideration. Applications received after this date may continue to be reviewed as needed.

Nashville is a growing, dynamic community with a rich history, vibrant neighborhoods and a culture all its own. Known around the world as Music City, Nashville is also home to a thriving business community, major league sports, renowned universities, diverse arts and food scenes, and communities that care deeply about the future of Middle Tennessee. This is an opportunity to build meaningful connections across the market and help WTVF continue making a difference in the communities it serves.

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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.