Manager, Events & Engagement | Public Affairs & Engagement Team

Good Reason Houston is a dynamic and impactful nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that every child in every neighborhood of Houston has access to a world-class public education and the opportunity to thrive. The organization serves as a regional backbone across the greater Houston area, fostering collaboration among public school systems, higher education institutions, employers, and civic leaders to build a shared vision and collectively improve educational outcomes. With partnerships encompassing 25 public school systems serving approximately 700,000 students across 900 schools, Good Reason Houston operates at a broad scale with a clear focus on elevating educational quality and fostering economic mobility as a key metric of student success.

The role of Manager, Engagement Experience, within the Public Affairs & Engagement Team at Good Reason Houston is a pivotal position designed to bring the mission to life through strategic engagement and event management. This role is entrusted with managing the full lifecycle of the organization's events and convenings, ranging from the flagship annual fundraising event, ConnectEd, which draws around 1,000 attendees, to a diverse calendar of regular community and engagement events. These events are essential platforms for building trust, deepening relationships, and galvanizing action among families, educators, civic leaders, funders, and partners across the Houston region.

The Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end operational execution of ConnectEd, including venue selection, vendor coordination, budget management, and program design, ensuring that the event successfully advances Good Reason Houston's fundraising and community engagement objectives. Additionally, the Manager will plan and execute a variety of other convenings—ranging from intimate listening sessions to mid-sized forums and community celebrations—helping to foster collective ownership and elevate the organization's regional presence.

This position requires meticulous project management skills and the ability to coordinate multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively in a fast-paced environment. The role demands collaboration with cross-functional teams, including event owners, advancement teams, and various divisions within the organization, to ensure alignment with strategic goals and maximize engagement impact. The Manager is also charged with sustaining high standards of event quality and brand consistency, developing best practices and success criteria for organizational events, and leveraging technology platforms for event registration and data capture.

Good Reason Houston values curiosity, connection, rootedness, forward-thinking, and being student-centered, and the Manager, Engagement Experience is expected to embody these principles in all aspects of the role. Working with this team means contributing to a mission-driven environment focused on removing barriers and expanding opportunities for the students with the greatest needs. The organization offers a competitive salary starting at $75,000 annually, depending on experience, with benefits including a 401(k) with employer contribution, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a hybrid work schedule allowing virtual work on certain days.

In summary, the Manager, Engagement Experience at Good Reason Houston is a key role that supports the organization’s ambitious mission through expertly managed events and community engagement. This position offers an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about education, community collaboration, and event management to make a meaningful impact in one of the nation’s largest and most diverse educational regions.