BACKGROUND

Shangri La is a vibrant compound situated on a spectacular, 5-acre, oceanside property in Honolulu. It integrates a 14,000-square-foot house with multiple outbuildings, comprising a series of interlocking spaces, both indoors and out: rooms, courtyards, lanais, terraces, gardens and numerous water features. The property includes spaces for reflection and for gatherings.  

Historically operated exclusively as a museum to showcase some of its collection of 2,500 objects from diverse Muslim cultures, Shangri La is in the midst of a strategic transformation that envisions the institution as a global center for personal and societal transformation. 

Shangri La is owned and operated by 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 Shangri La, DDF operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Duke Farms, a New Jersey-based center for applied conservation and sustainability. The activities of DDF, which is headquartered in New York City, are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. To learn more, visit www.dorisduke.org.
POSITION

The Event and Engagement Manager is a creative and strategic professional who plays a pivotal role in advancing Shangri La as a world-class center for cultural exchange, thought leadership and creative engagement. This role is responsible for developing and executing high-impact events, experiences and convenings that drive influence and engagement. With a strong emphasis on hospitality, event planning and guest services, the Manager supervises the Coordinator and collaborates cross-functionally with teams in Hawai‘i and on the East Coast. The Event and Engagement Manager also develops and implements innovative strategies to engage diverse audiences through Shangri La’s unique campus, ensuring seamless event production and exceptional guest experiences. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Event Operations and Management: In collaboration with the Coordinator, develop, plan, manage and execute a diverse range of events, including cultural and art programs, thought leadership convenings, thematic conferences, policy and diplomacy discussions, and public programs.Design innovative event programming and strategies that reflect Shangri La’s commitment to excellence, ensuring immersive, engaging and memorable experiences.Manage logistics, including venue selection, guest communication, vendor contracts, catering, AV needs and real-time problem-solving to ensure seamless event execution.Use event management software and integrate CRM platforms such as HubSpot and digital engagement tools to enhance event efficiency and audience interaction. Collaborate with creative teams, performers and content creators, to produce dynamic and immersive event experiences that push the boundaries of traditional event formats.Gather and analyze post-event feedback and insights from the customer relationship management tool (HubSpot) to assess event success, refine audience engagement strategies and inform continuous improvements.Ensure that events and convenings are fiscally responsible, managing costs and revenue to support the sustainability of our mission and foundation.
• Hospitality, Guest Services and Customer Relations: Create a best-in-class culture of hospitality to ensure that all guests—including partners, artists and the public—experience Shangri La as a welcoming, engaging and thought-provoking space.Oversee guest reception, check-in and concierge services to ensure a seamless arrival-to-departure experience.Develop and distribute run-of-show documents and other key materials to stakeholders in a timely manner.Create orientation resources, policies and procedures to enhance hospitality operations and stakeholder knowledge.Work closely with the Influence & Marketing team, including the Event Manager in New York, to align event execution across DDF with the foundation’s mission, ensuring excellence and impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in event strategy, planning and execution, preferably in a hospitality-focused or similar setting, working with all levels of an operational center. 
• Background in both traditional event planning and experiential event production, with experience in entertainment, technology or cultural institutions highly preferred.
• Understanding of audience engagement strategies, including digital engagement, interactive event formats and experience-driven design.
• Proven experience in producing a wide range of events, including public/consumer events, cultural/art events, thought leadership convenings, thematic conferences, policy/diplomacy discussions and public programs.
• Strong technical proficiency in event management software (e.g., Tripleseat), CRM platforms (e.g., HubSpot), digital communication tools (e.g., MS Office, Instagram, Airtable, Asana) and virtual/hybrid event technologies (e.g., Zoom, Teams).
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong project management skills and a commitment to delivering a seamless and engaging guest experience. 
• Strong written and oral communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with experience managing teams and fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Familiarity with brand strategy and storytelling in an event context, ensuring that all activations align with the organization’s identity and mission.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, adapting to nonstandard event schedules.
• Familiarity with Hawaiʻi’s cultural landscape, including local customs, traditions and multicultural communities, to effectively engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• 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 $64,000-$80,000, 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 private foundation, 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.