Community Relations Manager - Western Kansas

Are you an energetic relationship-builder who loves being out in the community and creating meaningful connections? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where no two days look the same and enjoy finding creative ways to bring people, organizations, and communities together?

IdeaTek is looking for a Community Relations Manager to strengthen our presence across Western Kansas and help deepen the relationships we have with the communities we serve. In this role, you’ll serve as a key ambassador for IdeaTek—representing our mission, building partnerships, supporting community initiatives, and helping drive awareness of our services and impact.

This is not a desk job. We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys being out in the field, networking, attending events, and finding opportunities to make a positive impact in local communities.

This position allows for remote work within Western Kansas, with regular travel throughout the region and occasional travel to our offices in Buhler and Wichita. Ideal candidates will reside in or near Garden City or Hays, though candidates located in surrounding Western Kansas communities such as Dodge City, Scott City, Goodland, Colby, Oakley, Tribune, St. Francis, Bird City, Atwood, Sharon Springs, and nearby areas will also be considered.

A Day in the Life

You’ll start your day checking in on upcoming community events, sponsorship opportunities, or meetings with local organizations. From there, you may be visiting with business leaders, attending a chamber event, speaking at a council meeting, or brainstorming new partnership ideas with internal teams.

Some days are focused on relationship building and networking, while others involve coordinating events, supporting volunteer initiatives, or presenting updates to leadership. Whether you’re representing IdeaTek at a local festival, helping organize a sponsorship, or connecting with community leaders, your work directly contributes to strengthening our reputation and presence across Western Kansas.

What You'll Do

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement community engagement strategies aligned with organizational goals 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, organizations, businesses, and residents 
• Represent IdeaTek at community events, council meetings, speaking engagements, and networking opportunities 
• Serve as a liaison between IdeaTek and key community stakeholders across Western Kansas 
• Identify opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, volunteer initiatives, and community involvement 
• Partner with marketing and internal teams to coordinate community outreach and event execution 
• Assist with planning and execution of community events, outreach initiatives, and sponsorship activities 
• Support both residential and business sales efforts through community engagement and relationship building 
• Respond to community inquiries and concerns with professionalism and positivity 
• Prepare reports and present updates on community relations initiatives to leadership 
• Participate in promotional and advertising content, including videos and public-facing campaigns when needed 
• Manage budgets related to community engagement activities and sponsorships
• Serve on internal scholarship committee to support employee and community-focused educational initiatives
• Support employee engagement and volunteer initiatives within the communities we serve 

What Will Help You Stand Out

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual proficiency 
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field 
• Existing community connections or networks within Western Kansas 
• Experience in telecommunications, technology, or community-focused industries 
• Experience with sponsorships, volunteer coordination, or nonprofit/community boards 
• Strong understanding of marketing, branding, or public engagement initiatives via social media

Desired Attributes

Beyond the qualifications, these attributes are what make someone a great fit for our team:

• People-focused – You genuinely enjoy connecting with others and building lasting relationships 
• Energetic and positive – You bring enthusiasm and professionalism wherever you go 
• Community-minded – You care about making a meaningful impact in local communities 
• Adaptable – You thrive in changing environments and can pivot quickly when priorities shift 
• Collaborative – You work well across departments and with external partners 
• Strategic thinker – You look for creative ways to build partnerships and create value 

Why Join IdeaTek?

IdeaTek is a cutting-edge telecommunications company dedicated to bringing fast, reliable internet to underserved communities. We're a passionate team of innovators and problem-solvers committed to making a difference in the lives of our customers. At IdeaTek, we value our employees and foster a culture of collaboration, growth, and community involvement.

A few of the key ways we strive to make employees feel valued include:

• Competitive pay + bonus potential
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and 401k with match 
• Free coaching/counseling for employees & families 
• Free internet service (if available in your area) or internet reimbursement 
• Company vehicle provided for business travel 
• Tuition reimbursement for personal and professional growth 
• Community engagement opportunities 
• Culture that values results, effort, and integrity 

Our Core Values

• We are Trustworthy – We build confidence through transparency, follow-through, and dependability. 
• We count on Big Thinkers – We don’t just imagine the future—we create it with bold, actionable ideas. 
• We have a Resilient Spirit – We embrace challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and keep striving for more. 
• We stand on Belief – We believe everyone deserves access to technology that helps them learn, grow, and thrive. 
• We foster Connectedness – Our work goes beyond broadband—we build real connections within our team and our communities. 
• We drive Innovation – We're always looking for ways to improve and redefine what’s possible. 

Ready to Apply?

If you’re ready to make an impact and help strengthen communities across Western Kansas, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today!

What We’re Looking For

To be considered for this role, you'll need the following required qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in community relations, event planning, public relations, community engagement, or a related field
• Strong presentation skills, including experience and comfortability with PowerPoint, Google Slides, Google Sheets, and similar tools
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills 
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and events 
• Strong organizational skills and adaptability in fast-paced environments 
• Ability to think creatively and solve problems proactively 
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout Western Kansas and attend evening/weekend events as needed (personally attend ~2 events per month)
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods during events and lift up to 50 pounds when needed 
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record