The posting
WKBW, The E.W. Scripps Company ABC affiliate in Buffalo, NY, is searching for a Sr. Manager, Community Connections to join our team. We are looking for a passionate and strategic community connector to serve as the station's primary bridge between our newsroom and the people we serve. In this role, you will cultivate trusted partnerships across Buffalo's civic, nonprofit, business, educational, and government landscape — turning community intelligence into meaningful journalism, impactful events, and lasting audience relationships. If you believe local news is most powerful when it is deeply rooted in the community it covers, this is your opportunity to make that vision real every single day.
Application Review: Applications received by 11/04 will receive priority consideration. Applications received after this date may continue to be reviewed as needed.
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
WHERE YOU'LL LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY:
Buffalo, New York is a city on the rise — a proud, resilient community with deep roots, genuine warmth, and an exciting future. Sitting at the eastern edge of Lake Erie and just across the border from Canada, Buffalo offers an enviable quality of life at a fraction of the cost of larger metros. The revitalized waterfront along Canalside draws visitors and residents alike year-round, with concerts, ice skating, kayaking, and festivals that celebrate everything Buffalo has to offer. The city's rich architectural heritage — including Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks and the stunning Guaranty Building — gives it a character unlike anywhere else in America.
Buffalo is a food lover's city with a distinct identity. From the birthplace of the Buffalo wing at the Anchor Bar to world-class chef-driven restaurants in Elmwood Village and Larkinville, the dining scene punches well above its weight. The arts community is equally vibrant, anchored by Albright-Knox Northland (now Buffalo AKG Art Museum), Shea's Performing Arts Center, and a thriving live music scene. Sports are a way of life here — Bills fans are legendary for their passion, and the Sabres bring NHL excitement to KeyBank Center each season.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of adventure. Niagara Falls is just 20 minutes away, offering one of the world's most iconic natural wonders right in your backyard. The region's state parks, ski areas in the nearby hills, and easy access to the Finger Lakes wine country make Buffalo an ideal home base for those who love to explore. With a strong sense of community, affordable neighborhoods, and a city that genuinely welcomes newcomers, Buffalo is a wonderful place to plant roots and make a real difference.
#LI-SM2 #LI-Onsite
COMPENSATION RANGE:
Annual Salary: $95,000.00 - $105,000
Pursuant to state and local salary transparency laws, the salary range posted is specific to candidates who will perform this work in New York.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
- A career path to grow your professional experiences
- Full medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as certain other health and wellness benefits
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Other key company benefits include disability accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, life insurance, AD&D, ID protection, pet discount program, and employee assistance program. More details about timing and conditions of benefits eligibility and other plan terms and conditions will be provided upon hire.
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.
