Community Engagement and Events Manager, The Waco Bridge

Job Description

The Waco Bridge, a new Waco community newsroom launching in 2025 and supported by The Texas Tribune, is looking for its inaugural community engagement and events manager.

The ideal candidate will be an energetic bridge builder with a passion for Waco, local news and creative community engagement. 

The community engagement and events manager must be skilled at connecting with people from different communities, processing ideas for stories and events, building and maintaining a loyal audience on social media, and holding in-person conversations on issues of great impact to Wacoans.

About The Waco Bridge

The Waco Bridge is an independent, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to empowering Wacoans with high-quality local news that connects communities, fosters civic engagement and creates a sense of belonging. We will deliver accessible, free news that connects people with the information they need in Waco.

The Bridge is committed to producing news and information that addresses the needs raised by the communities it covers. Its editorial strategy will be continuously informed through community conversations with Waco residents about the needs they identify as the most necessary. This includes coverage around how local decisions are made and how they impact people differently, how community is being built in Waco, and how development and growth is impacting the future of the city and its residents.

We are committed to working with integrity, inclusivity, transparency and collaboration. We are also committed to working with a sense of service so that Waco residents are better informed about what’s going on in their communities and can better effect positive change.

The Bridge will uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics and accuracy in our work. We will ensure diverse voices and perspectives are represented. We will operate with openness and honesty and build trust with our audience through clear and candid communication. We will engage with community members, organizations, fellow news outlets and others to help strengthen our collective impact. And we will emphasize solutions-focused work that will help our audience feel a sense of empowerment and agency.

The Role

The community engagement and events manager will be a key ambassador for the Bridge, meeting regularly with Waco residents and community stakeholders. These conversations will produce ideas for stories, in-person conversations and other creative methods of community engagement and empowerment. This position will be constantly thinking about how our newsroom is building and maintaining relationships with members of the community. That can include taking colleagues to community events or setting up meetings with community members.

The person in this position will think creatively about engagement through social media and develop strategies around the best opportunities to maximize our reach and engagement with residents. They will also develop the best workflows for social media production.

This position will also collaborate with the EIC and reporters in providing guides and other forms of journalism that help our audience better understand what’s going on in their communities and how they can make a positive impact.

The community engagement and events manager will also work with the general manager to build and grow a membership program. They will also represent the organization in public forums to evangelize the newsroom’s mission. This position will report to the newsroom’s editor-in-chief.

Responsibilities and Priorities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive community engagement plan aligned with The Bridge’s goals.
• Identify, build and cultivate relationships with key community stakeholders, including community leaders, residents, businesses, partner organizations, and media outlets.
• Work with the EIC to create and produce a newsletter that informs Waco residents about the work we are doing and provides other news and information they need.
• Conceptualize, plan and oversee creative and innovative community events, workshops, presentations and volunteer programs that foster dialogue, collaboration and a sense of belonging within the community.
• Serve as a driver of newsroom community engagement by ensuring the Bridge has the skills and opportunities to engage with and listen to the diverse communities of Waco. 
• Represent the organization at community meetings, events and functions.
• Manage and oversee online and offline communication channels to keep the community informed and engaged.
• Analyze website traffic, social media engagement and data to inform communication and content strategies. 
• Identify and leverage social media platforms to amplify our message and connect with diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with the events, audience, editorial and marketing and communications teams to ensure programs and services are responsive to community needs.
• Track and measure the impact of engagement initiatives and report findings to leadership.
• Stay current on community trends, needs, and issues.

You’re a good fit if…

• You have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing or a related field.
• You have three years of experience in community engagement, public relations, or a similar field.
• You have proven experience in developing and executing successful community engagement campaigns.
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit — you can thrive in a startup environment where you are expected to learn as you go, think outside the box, and creatively solve problems on the fly.
• You have excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Public speaking experience is a plus.
• You can work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• You are proficient in social media platforms and content creation tools.
• You have a passion for Waco, local news, and community engagement.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position will depend on experience. The minimum is $60,000. This job is full-time and includes the following benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• 12 paid holidays
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave plus four weeks of additional job protection
• Annual 401(k) match of $2,000

How to Apply 

Apply by Dec. 2 with a résumé, five examples of work you’re proud of, and a cover letter summarizing how you would approach this job. We can’t wait to hear from you.

The Texas Tribune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for all, and we encourage applicants of all identities, backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.

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