Manager of Events & Culture

Washington, DC

Full Time

Strategy & Culture

Experienced

Manager of Events & Culture

Job Summary

The Manager of Events & Culture is a critical member of the Strategy & Culture team responsible for both the strategic design of employee engagement and the logistical excellence of headquarters events. The Manager oversees core experiences apart of the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to major career milestones, while ensuring that every convening is executed with high-level production standards. This individual is a key driver of strengthening relationships between headquarters and school-based staff, ensuring that organizational culture is inclusive, identity-affirming, and operationally seamless. The starting salary range for this role is $71,305-$77,504. This is a full-time role with occasional flexibility based at HDQ with an anticipated start date of August 2026.

About KIPP DC

For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.

Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.

As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.

About the Role
The Manager of Events & Culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the employee experience and workplace culture at KIPP DC. This role focuses entirely on the intersection of headquarters event strategy and staff belonging. The Manager will lead the design and execution of headquarters programming, oversee high-stakes regional milestones, and manage the lifecycle experience of staff engagement. This role requires a high level of cross-team collaboration and is essential in fostering a supportive, inclusive, and joyful environment for KIPP DC’s 1,400+ staff members across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Location and Type of Work
This is an exempt position and will report to the Associate Director of Regional Events & Culture. As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support, and this position will regularly provide on-site support to school teams, frequently partner with other headquarters teams, or regularly work in multiple locations. Because of the nature of the work, this role allows for occasional flexibility and will be required to be onsite 4 days per week.

Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.

Culture & Recognition Strategy & Execution (45%)

Develop and execute monthly programming for headquarters teams to foster better community, connection, and communication among staff as a part of KIPP DC’s organizational goals.
Lead the planning and execution of regional awards and milestone programming (e.g., 5-year jacket ceremony, Hall of Fame) to deepen organizational affinity.
Manage the "Campus Booster Program" and other initiatives designed to bolster the effectiveness of headquarters support for schools.
Collaborate with school leadership and talent teams to align programming with staff recruitment and retention goals.
Own and lead monthly culture events (e.g., "Sugar & Shoutouts") from ideation to close-out.
Lead weekly off-cycle new hire programming to support a strong start and seamless transition for all new employees, including facilitating overview content in front of new staff.
Oversee the logistical processes and execution of New Hire Orientation, including coordinating key internal stakeholders and facilitating weekly lunch orders and room setup.

Event Production & Operations (35%)

Monitor and track project progress through regular check-ins, adjusting plans and resources as needed to meet evolving needs and deadlines.
Manage unexpected challenges in event logistics, ensuring that high standards are met even in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
Analyze survey data and feedback from staff to identify areas of improvement in systems, processes, and the event experience.
Support the regional events portfolio, including milestones and end of year initiatives, under the direction of the Associate Director of Events and Culture, as needed.
Develop comprehensive project plans and timelines to ensure high standards are met in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
Provide additional support to HDQ department leads to execute specialized convenings and events as needed.

Marketing & Communications Management (20%)

Partner with the external affairs team to produce event collateral, merchandise, and "swag" that promotes regional culture.
Design and distribute visually engaging advertisements, digital flyers, and promotional materials to build excitement for upcoming programming and drive staff attendance.
Draft and distribute clear, accurate, and timely planning and logistical communications to collaboration partners and staff as assigned.
Utilize creative storytelling and internal marketing channels (Slack, email, newsletters) to highlight staff milestones and upcoming culture-building opportunities.

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree
A minimum of 4 years of experience in project management, event production, employee engagement, or hospitality
Experience managing multiple stakeholders and projects with strong leadership and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

Service-minded with an ability to maintain a positive, helpful, and professional attitude toward staff, families, and the general public in fast-paced environments
Strong cultural competency and empathy skills, including the ability to communicate, work effectively, and cultivate relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders
Previous experience in supporting and developing junior employees, with a focus on exceptional prioritization and organizational skills to drive progress and ensure team success
Successful track record of creatively navigating complex issues; excited by the prospect of identifying and tackling big challenges with quick, thoughtful, data-driven solutions

Physical Requirements

Ability to support event setup and logistics, including the lifting and carrying up to 30 lbs
Ability to travel between our eight campuses and attend occasional weekend and evening events at our schools and external venues

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:

Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.

Benefits & Compensation

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $71,305-$77,504. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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Join our team and help provide joyful, identify-affirming learning experiences that produce extraordinary outcomes for all students and alumni.

Questions or Tech Issues? Email the recruitment team at [email protected] with questions.

Manager of Events & Culture

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