West Hollywood, California
Posted: 21-Jan-26
Location: Aliso Viejo, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: Negotiable
Categories:
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
The Parent Engagement & Events Manager is responsible for designing and delivering meaningful engagement experiences for current parents and families at St. Mary’s. This role builds community, strengthens relationships, and supports the school’s philanthropic and retention goals through thoughtful parent engagement strategies, volunteer leadership, and the successful execution of Development and community events.
St. Mary's School
JOB DESCRIPTION
PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS MANAGER
Reports to: Executive Director of Advancement
Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt, 12 month position
Summary: To design and deliver meaningful engagement experiences for current parents and families. To build community, strengthen relationships, and support the School’s philanthropic and retention goals through thoughtful parent engagement strategies, volunteer leadership, and the successful execution of Development and community events.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Parent Engagement & Community Building
- Partner with Advancement and Development leadership to create and implement parent engagement strategies that support community connection, retention, and philanthropy.
- Oversee new family welcome and onboarding efforts, ensuring a consistent and warm experience for all incoming families.
- Serve as a key point of contact for current parents, fostering trust and strong relationships across grade levels.
- Create opportunities throughout the year for parents to connect with one another and with the school in meaningful ways.
Event Planning, Management & Execution
- Lead the strategic planning, management, and execution of all Development-led events, including marquee fundraising events such as the Benefit Dinner & Gala and Golf Tournament, as well as community and PTF-partnered events including Founders Day, Teacher and Volunteer Appreciation, Parent Education Series and family social events.
- Develop event goals, budgets, timelines, and benchmarks in collaboration with Advancement leadership.
- Manage all event logistics, including venue selection, vendor and contract management, run-of-show planning, on-site execution, and coordination of a comprehensive Advancement events calendar.
- Ensure events reflect St. Mary’s values and brand while collaborating proactively with campus partners, including Operations, Facilities, FLIK (onsite dining partner), Security, and Technology, to balance hospitality, safety, and operational needs.
- Partner with the Development Associate on event administration and logistics support, including registration links, volunteer sign-ups, RSVP tracking, and related systems, while maintaining overall ownership of event planning and execution.
- Own the on-site storytelling and guest experience, particularly with the Gala, working in partnership with the Executive Director of Advancement and Marketing & Communications to ensure event themes, messaging, visuals, and day-of materials come together in a cohesive and compelling way.
Communications & Parent-Facing Messaging
- Own and manage all parent-facing communications related to events and engagement, ensuring clarity, consistency, and ease for families.
- Draft and coordinate communications across multiple channels, including weekly newsletters, standalone emails, PTF communications, room parent messaging, and event collateral.
- Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications while serving as the internal lead on content, timelines, and messaging related to parent engagement and events.
- Ensure parents have a clear understanding of what, when, and how to engage throughout the year.
Volunteer & PTF Leadership
- Recruit, train, and support parent volunteers, committee chairs, and event leaders.
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF), guiding productive and positive collaboration between parent leaders and the school.
- Support PTF Board operations, committee structures, role clarity, and annual planning.
- Partner with the Advancement team to enlist and support room parents and new family mentors.
- Design and execute volunteer recognition efforts throughout the year.
Sponsorships, Revenue & Budget Management
- Partner with the Director of Annual & Leadership Giving to identify and manage event sponsorship and corporate engagement opportunities.
- Own the execution and stewardship of event sponsorships, including recognition and fulfillment.
- Identify opportunities to grow event revenue and enhance sponsor and donor experiences.
- Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring alignment with financial goals and strong return on investment.
Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Track event attendance, engagement, and participation metrics using Veracross and internal systems.
- Prepare post-event reports, including insights and recommendations for future planning.
- Contribute event data, volunteer highlights, and engagement content for Advancement communications and publications, and maintain documentation to support continuity and future planning.
Additional Responsibilities
- Maintain strong working relationships with parents, faculty, staff, and volunteers.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Attend Advancement team meetings, PTF Board meetings, Development Committee meetings, and other meetings as appropriate.
- Manage assigned Advancement budget line items.
- Support the School and its leadership.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Advancement and Head of School.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in nonprofit development, event management, fundraising and/or community engagement preferably at an Independent School.
- Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers.
- Strong project management, organizational, and follow-up skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with a strong customer service focus, both internal and external.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strategic thinker and self-starter with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace and CRM systems; Veracross experience a plus.
- This role requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends in alignment with the school’s event calendar.
For consideration, please send current resume and cover letter with salary requirements. Please also indicate that you found the listing on the NAIS website.