Community & Student Engagement Manager

About Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Lookout Eugene-Springfield is the second full-market launch by Lookout Local, a mission-driven, mobile-first, locally focused digital news platform. Built on the Pulitzer-winning foundation of Lookout Santa Cruz, our mission is to foster stronger civic understanding, participation, and connection through modern, trustworthy, non-partisan journalism and local engagement.

We're building a high-performing team to drive community participation and meaningful membership growth—and we're looking for someone who thrives on connection, service, and local impact.

Position Overview

As a core member of Lookout’s Community & Commerce Team, the Community & Student Engagement Manager leads our local relationship-building, outreach, and event execution efforts across Lane County. This role translates hands-on community involvement into Lookout membership growth—particularly among educators, employees, and partner institutions.

You’ll coordinate regular LO Listens gatherings, community presence at public events, and Lookout in the Classroom outreach in schools. You’ll also collaborate closely with newsroom leadership to help develop public-facing Inside Lookout updates for readers and civic partners—and seek speaking engagements at Rotary clubs, service groups, and community forums that highlight our editorial staff and civic mission.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Community Engagement (35%)

• Lead weekly Lookout Listens, providing light refreshments, fostering feedback, and follow-ups
• Organize 3-4 Open Houses annually for members and community leaders, and annual LO party for members 
• Lead regular community office tours (goal: 15 per year) for local groups and civic organizations
• Maintain an active calendar of 25 community events where Lookout should table, co-host, or attend
• Serve as lead organizer for all Lookout public appearances and tabling
• Seek and book speaking opportunities for Lookout correspondents and editors with Rotary, chambers, and local organizations
• Collaborate with Community & Commerce team to offer media sponsorships that elevate community events and benefit Lookout’s brand presence

Student & Educator Engagement (40%)

• Coordinate Lookout in the Classroom across Lane County:
• Build relationships with first three, then over time 13, school districts and relevant departments
• Make curriculum broadly available to educators, first through partner districts, then countywide
• Serve as liaison to educators and district leadership, in collaboration with newsroom and partnerships team
• Coordinate annual scholarship contest and classroom visits with newsroom staff
• Create and distribute various marketing materials about this program

Membership Growth Collaboration (20%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Revenue & Partnerships to:
• Support growth of teacher, employee (EE), and enterprise membership segments
• Convert community presence and school partnerships into paying members
• Provide ongoing input and reporting on what’s working locally for each segment
• Directly grow Lookout’s email list by 4,000 contacts annually through events, partnerships, and outreach, using multiple means including social media, fliers and more.
• Assist in converting Civic Partner engagement into discounted employee membership, and assisting on enterprise -based memberships

Reader & Newsroom Connection (5%)

• Work closely with the Executive Editor to:
• Contribute to and help develop regular Inside Lookout updates for members and readers
• Create three ticketed forums per year on topics of importance to the community.  Work with the newsroom to identify topic and book panelists as well as the venue.  Handle promotion and ticket sales for the forums and work with the newsroom on takeaways and follow-up communication for all attendees.
• Help place editorial staff in meaningful public conversations and community forums

Qualifications

• 3 years experience in community engagement, public affairs, or event management
• Exceptional event planning and logistical coordination skills
• Highly organized and comfortable managing complex outreach programs
• Fluency with CRM tools, contact databases, and tracking outreach metrics
• Experienced public speaker or program facilitator
• Passion for journalism, civic service, and community connection
• Deep ties to or knowledge of Lane County’s civic and school communities
• Confident in building partnerships across nonprofits, local government, education, and business

What We Offer

• Competitive full-time salary with benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• A purpose-driven, collaborative workplace with national reach and local roots
• The opportunity to play a foundational role in Lookout’s growth in Lane County
• A chance to help rebuild civic journalism—and reconnect communities to quality news

To Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to:

✉️ jobs@lookoutlocal.com

📌 Subject line: Eugene, Engagement Manager