Event and Engagement Manager

Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, N.J.

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director of Personnel and Programs

Status: Full time, exempt (minimum three days a week in person)

How to Apply: Click here to apply. Please send a résumé and cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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Located in Hillsborough Township, N.J., Duke Farms is a center for applied conservation and sustainability that restores nature and ecosystems, demonstrates equitable climate transition strategies and engages leaders and visitors with the wonder of nature to spark change. Our wide-ranging sustainability efforts include the operation of a 1,000-acre park and associated infrastructure supporting over 150,000 public visitors a year.

Duke Farms is a center of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), whose mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. In addition to Duke Farms, DDF operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Shangri La, a global center for transformation located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. (To learn more about the foundation, visit dorisduke.org.)

POSITION

The Event and Engagement Manager is a creative professional who plays a key role in advancing the foundation’s mission by coordinating high-impact events and convenings as a platform to drive influence. With a strong focus on hospitality, event planning and guest services, the Manager leads a dynamic, newly created team focused on developing and implementing creative strategies to engage audiences through Duke Farms’ unique campus. This role ensures exceptional guest experiences while managing logistics for events such as meetings, conferences, receptions and dinners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Event Operations and Management: In collaboration with the Event & Engagement team, develop, plan, manage, coordinate and attend high-impact events, convenings and retreats with a strong emphasis on hospitality and engagement, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and guest satisfaction.

• Develop innovative event designs and branding strategies that reflect DDF’s commitment to excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship, and thereby enhance the impact of each convening.
• Ensure seamless event execution by managing logistics such as venue selection, guest communication, vendor contracts, catering audiovisual needs and real-time problem-solving to create memorable and impactful guest experiences.
• Collaborate with Duke Farms staff, external partners and vendors to ensure cohesive event execution and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Gather and analyze post-event feedback to inform future event strategies and continuous improvement, focusing on enhancing the hospitality experience.
• Design and operate convenings and engagement in a way that is fiscally responsible, managing costs and revenue to support the sustainability of our mission and foundation.
• Lead and inspire a team to provide event operations and engagement, creatively looking for ways to attract resources to the powerful mission and work of Duke Farms and DDF.
• Work closely with the Influence & Marketing team, including the Event Manager in New York, to ensure that events across DDF are developed and executed in a way that drives excellence and impact to further DDF’s mission.

- Hospitality and Guest Services: Cultivate an environment where guests feel welcomed and engaged, enhancing Duke Farms’ reputation for exceptional hospitality from arrival to departure.

• Oversee all logistics related to guest experience, including reception, guest check-in and concierge services, to provide personalized and attentive service.
• Support and coordinate on-site chef-led catering and café operations, ensuring high-quality food and beverage service that reflects the organization’s values and commitment to sustainability.
• Manage relationships with hospitality vendors, including catering companies and service staff, to ensure consistent quality and service standards.

- Internal, VIP and Customer Relations: Ensure smooth internal communications and exceptional customer relations to optimize the guest experience.

• Optimize guest experience by managing reservation systems and ensuring efficient registration, communication and smooth guest flow.
• Develop orientation resources and ensure that accurate, current information is communicated to visitors, guests and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that support seamless, efficient and effective hospitality and engagement operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in event planning and coordination, preferably in a hospitality-focused or similar setting, working with all levels of an operational center.
• Experience in hospitality, with a passion for creating guest experiences that align with Duke Farms’ mission and ensure high-quality interactions and satisfaction.
• Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and a strong focus on the guest experience.
• Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Proven competence in thriving in fast-paced environments, characterized by quick thinking and adaptability.
• Experience managing and delegating to others.
• Proficiency in planning and logistics software, with experience managing visitor information through customer relationship management (CRM) systems and basic data analytics skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite for creating event materials and schedules, and demonstrated experience in using digital communication tools (e.g., email, social media) for event coordination and promotion.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, adapting to nonstandard event schedules.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• A valid driver’s license.

We recognize that not every candidate will meet every qualification listed. If you are passionate about our mission and believe you have the skills and experience to perform the essential functions of this role, we encourage you to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Anticipated hiring salary is $62,400-$78,000, and the final offer will depend on experience.
• Industry-leading benefits, including a 15% employer contribution to your 401(k), comprehensive health insurance, four weeks of paid vacation with additional paid time off, and matching gift benefits of up to $20,000 per year—all designed to support employees’ well-being, productivity and engagement.

OUR VALUES

The following values underpin everything we do in pursuit of our mission across the Doris Duke Foundation:

Integrity: We must be honest and ethical in all that we undertake. As a group of private foundations, we are accountable to the many stakeholders affected by our work.

Excellence: We will insist on the highest standards of performance in fulfilling our mission, will ground our work in best practices and will make decisions based on the best available information.

Openness and Imagination: We will be a listening and learning organization that is responsive to ideas and opinions from a variety of sources. We value imagination and creativity, the ability to think in new ways about the work we do and how we do it.

Collaboration: We value a collaborative and supportive environment in which to advance our mission and objectives. Creating a working environment that promotes trust, honesty and respect within our organizations is as important as earning the trust and respect of our colleagues and peers in the fields in which we work.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We believe in the essential value that a diverse set of perspectives, experiences and abilities brings to the table. Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is an ongoing, active engagement reflected in our funding areas, grantees, museums, centers, board and staff. At the core of our work is a dedication to serving and learning from organizations and individuals addressing inequities and working toward a more just, healthy and inclusive society. (Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we incorporate this value into our work.)

The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here.