Lead Event Planner

Marlborough School, founded in 1889, is an esteemed independent college-preparatory school for girls in grades 7 through 12 located in Los Angeles, California. It holds the distinction of being the oldest independent girls' school in the Southern California region. The school is dedicated to fostering the growth of young women by encouraging them to use their talents to make positive contributions to the world and become pioneers in their own right. Marlborough’s educational environment is supported by world-class faculty and staff who inspire students to strive for personal excellence across a broad and enriching array of courses, extracurricular activities, electives, and programs. This empowers students to deepen their compassion, nurture curiosity, and lead lives imbued with purpose and leadership. The core vision of Marlborough School is centered around equity leading education, underscoring its commitment to empowering every student.

The Lead Event Planner position at Marlborough School is a full-time, non-exempt staff role that requires an organized, creative, and experienced professional responsible for overseeing the planning, management, and execution of diverse school events. Reporting to the Manager of Auxiliary Services, the Senior Event Planner plays a pivotal role in supporting the school’s mission and fostering community engagement through expertly managed events. These events range from academic and ceremonial functions, admissions activities, advancement and fundraising events, to community gatherings.

This role demands high-level skills in collaboration, logistics management, vendor relations, budgeting, and adherence to the school’s brand and quality standards. The Lead Event Planner acts as the primary liaison among various school departments to ensure event objectives and requirements are met precisely. Responsibilities include selecting venues both on and off campus, coordinating catering, audiovisual needs, security, transportation, and event setup and teardown. The planning process involves developing detailed timelines and budgets for each occasion, managing database and reservation systems, and conducting thorough post-event evaluations to assess success and areas for improvement.

In managing vendor contracts, the Lead Event Planner negotiates terms and maintains relationships with caterers, florists, and rental companies while continuously seeking new partnerships to maintain high-quality event provisions. Additionally, this role leads cross-functional event committees and volunteer groups, clearly delegating responsibilities and providing the training and supervision necessary for smooth event operations. Collaboration with the school’s Communications department ensures effective event promotion, branding, and material preparation.

Marlborough School emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its hiring practices, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. The Lead Event Planner position offers a competitive salary range from $65,000 to $85,000 annually alongside a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, access to voluntary benefits, professional development programs, competitive retirement plans with employer matching contributions, and generous time-off allowances. Candidates must be prepared to work on-site five days a week and demonstrate proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other relevant software platforms. This role is ideal for a skilled, proactive event professional eager to contribute to a forward-thinking educational community dedicated to the empowerment and enrichment of young women.