Manager of Community Engagement & Events

Job Details

Job Location: The Willows Community School – Culver City, CA 90232
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $75,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year
ABOUT THE WILLOWS

The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, is a developmental kindergarten through 8th grade non‑profit, co‑educational independent school enrolling 475 students annually. Recognized as a balanced, progressive educational leader, The Willows’ strong academic program incorporates experiential learning and thematic instruction into cutting‑edge curriculum and integrates technology and the arts into the classroom. The Willows is strongly committed to financial assistance and seeks a broad‑based student body with a diversity of race, ethnicity, economics and learning styles. We believe each child brings our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn.
Position Description

The Manager of Community Engagement & Events is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of a year‑round portfolio of all school events intended to cultivate and steward all constituents. Working closely with the Director of Development, Director of Advancement, the development and facilities teams, and the Willows Parent Association (WPA), the Manager of Community Engagement & Events helps bring The Willows’ mission to life through thoughtful, creative, and well‑executed events that reflect the heart and spirit of our school. This role is designed as a highly collaborative, hands‑on position combining project coordination and successful execution with hospitality and constituent relations components.
Reports to: Director of Development
Ideal Candidate Qualities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively across departments, building positive relationships with diverse constituents including families, colleagues, trustees, alumni, grandparents, community members and vendors.
Effective time‑management skills and ability to handle a fast‑paced work environment.
The ability to remain calm, flexible, and solutions‑oriented under pressure; using creative, strategic thinking and sound judgment to identify challenges, develop solutions, and resolve issues in a timely manner.
Energy and enthusiasm for creating successful, smooth, well‑coordinated event experiences for the community.
Proactive and adaptable with attention to detail, and comfort with handling both behind‑the‑scenes logistics as well as front‑facing hospitality and constituent services.
Participate and initiate opportunities that demonstrate one's growth, knowledge, and skills.
Strong commitment to supporting a warm and vibrant independent school community.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Events Management

Collaborate with administration, staff and volunteer leadership; conceptualize events including purpose, targeted audience, key themes, budget, messaging, location and vendors.
Build and maintain vendor relationships.
Partner with key staff or departments on all event logistics: calendaring, coordinating RSVPs, event set‑ups, catering, audio/visual, day‑of event details, post‑event acknowledgements and more.
Liaise between the development office and the facilities team.
Assist with writing, designing, and producing publications and materials associated with the events.
Attend events and serve as point person to ensure all runs smoothly; manage and participate alongside the facilities team during event set‑up to ensure successful layouts and troubleshoot as needed.
Facilitate and manage offsite school events as necessary.
Coordinate weekly meetings with facilities reviewing upcoming events and set‑ups; create detailed event timelines, production schedules, checklists, etc.
Work with Directors of Advancement and Development on community communications for upcoming events.
Participate in regular Calendar Committee meetings to review all‑school calendars.
Oversee catering for various committee meetings and events.
Fundraising and Community Events

Work closely with the development team and WPA volunteers to execute fundraising and community building events.
Actively contribute to the development team’s goals and initiatives.
Constituent Relations

Collaborate with development team members to develop events and activities designed to cultivate relationships with all constituents both internally and externally (new parents, current parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, trustees, Board of Governors, faculty and staff).
Assist with neighborhood relations (e.g., coordinating with Culver City for event permits).
Coordinate all details related to internal campus events (e.g., coordinating grade‑level exhibitions with faculty and staff).
Represent the School professionally and warmly in interactions with parents, trustees, faculty, students, alumni and grandparent communities, community partners, and vendors.
Qualifications & Skills

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in a related field; experience in an independent school, nonprofit, hospitality, or a similarly high‑touch environment preferred.
Great communication skills and experience working with volunteers preferred.
Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects effectively.
Creative and strategic thinker.
Able to work both collaboratively and independently in fast‑paced work environments.
Proficient in Office and Apple software/products; knowledge of Raisers Edge, Finalsite, Veracross, and Jotform a plus.
Availability to work evenings and weekends as required by the School’s event calendar.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This full‑time, exempt position offers a salary range of $75,000 – $90,000, commensurate with experience.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance covered at 100% for employees.
Life insurance and long‑term disability coverage.
Generous retirement plan with an employer discretionary contribution.
Flexible spending account (FSA).
Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays.

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