Community & Student Engagement Manager

About Lookout Eugene-Springfield: Lookout Eugene-Springfield is the second market launched after Lookout Santa Cruz, a modern, community-centric, mobile-first digital news source dedicated to delivering high-quality, trustworthy, and non-partisan local news and information. Our standards are high, as shown by our 2024 Pulitzer Prize win for Breaking News. Our mission is to foster greater citizen knowledge and participation within the community through robust journalism. We built Lookout Local to be a model, and one that can rebuild local news in communities well beyond Santa Cruz. We now expand our innovative model with Lookout Eugene-Springfield, the first step as we move forward with wider expansion in 2026-2027.

As we expand to Eugene-Springfield, we are seeking an expert connector to drive our community programs and student engagement initiatives.

Position Overview: The Community & Student Engagement Manager will lead our "Show Up" efforts to expand community connections. This role involves forming win-win partnerships and relationships that advance both Lookout and the goals of community organizations and local businesses. The Manager will oversee Lookout's events program - "Lookout in the Community" - and the pioneering "Lookout in the Classroom" student and teacher engagement programs. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated excellence in forming, operationalizing and optimizing community partnerships within the Eugene-Springfield area.

Responsibilities:

Community Partnership Development:

• Form and nurture partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and educational institutions.
• Identify and create opportunities for collaboration that benefit both Lookout and community partners.
• Represent Lookout Eugene-Springfield at community events and networking opportunities.

Event Management:

• Lead and manage Lookout's events program, ensuring successful planning and execution of community events, including member celebration/learning, business and community networking and issues-oriented community forums.
• Coordinate and oversee logistics for events, including marketing, outreach, and on-site management.

Educational Engagement:

• Drive the "Lookout in the Classroom" program, engaging students and teachers with Lookout’s mission and media literacy curriculum.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance student and teacher participation.
• Collaborate with schools and educational organizations to integrate Lookout’s resources and stories into the classroom.
• Community Outreach:
• Lead "Lookout in the Community" initiatives, increasing Lookout’s visibility and impact within the local community through events, tabling, media sponsorships, forums, and collaborations.
• Engage with community members to understand their needs and interests, aligning Lookout’s efforts accordingly.
• Develop and execute outreach campaigns to build stronger community ties.

Program Optimization:

• Gather and analyze feedback from community partners and participants to refine and enhance initiatives.
• Report on program performance and impact, making data-driven adjustments as needed that push the business forward.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in community engagement, partnership development, and event management.
• Strong connections within the Eugene-Springfield community.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with community stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to maximize community impact.
• Passion for Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Full-time benefits include highly competitive medical, dental, and optical benefits, and 401(k) with matching.
• An opportunity to play a key role in the growth and success of Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

Application Process: Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put Eugene, Engagement Manager in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Lookout Eugene-Springfield is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Join us at Lookout Eugene-Springfield and help us build stronger community connections and enhance student engagement through our innovative programs!