National College Leadership Program Trainee - Washington DC

Encore; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K plan

Job summary

Encore is offering a National College Leadership Program (NCLP) designed to develop future leaders in operations management or sales. The 5-month Manager in Training program prepares participants for immediate placement in Encore’s nationwide network of venues, including luxury hotels, casinos, and conference centers.

Graduates from the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 classes can pursue roles in operations management, production, or venue sales.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required; preferred fields include Hospitality, Business/Management, Communications, Event Management, Theater or related field.
• At least 1 year of related professional work experience or internships; management/operations/technology/hospitality background is a plus.
• Strong interest in a management career with opportunity for advancement and promotion.
• Excellent communication, listening, and presentation skills.
• Effective leadership abilities with a customer-satisfaction focus.
• Technical aptitude through interest and exposure to new technology.
• Ability to work at a hotel location within major metro markets.
• Flexibility to relocate.

Responsibilities

• As an Operations Manager, manage floor operations to achieve service excellence with focus on customer service, staff leadership, performance management and development.
• As a Sales Manager, guide customers through event experiences, identify solutions that meet goals, and maximize event and revenue capture.

Skills

Excellent communication

Presentation skills

Leadership

Customer service focus

Technical aptitude

Willing to relocate

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

NATIONAL COLLEGE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The very core of Encore is our creative and skilled team members. We create live-event solutions that connect and inspire people around the world. With a customer-first mindset and a hospitality focus, we have an unmatched breadth and depth of event production services to support our customers through every step in the event planning and management process. With a global footprint operating in more than 20 countries, we have experienced tremendous growth in recent years, extending the solutions we provide customers to create in-person, virtual and hybrid event experiences. Encore is seeking individuals interested in a career in operations management or sales. Our National College Leadership Program (NCLP) typically starts in July, and we are accepting applications where you can “Make Your Moment”. Upon successful completion of the 5-month Manager in Training program, individuals will be prepared for immediate placement into an operations, production, or a sales manager role within our nationwide network of 2,100 venues including luxury hotels, casinos, and conference center properties. If you are graduating within the Fall class of 2026 or Spring class of 2027 this leadership program can be a great opportunity for you. Discover a place where you can build a career that’s packed with development opportunities, mobility, rewards, and an energizing and connected culture. We call it our Focus on You. At Encore, you’ll join a team that brings productions, meetings, and events to life for some of the biggest companies on the planet. We’ll give you all the support and training you need to make an impact on our clients and your future – from cutting-edge technology to blended learning and role-based development programs. Ready to take the stage? Make your moment.

Qualified candidates must possess the following background

• 4-year college graduate with a BA/BS degree required; preference for Hospitality, Business/Management, Communications, Event Management, Theater, or related field.
• At least 1 year of related professional work experience or a combination of employment/internships. Prior experience in management, operations, technology and/or hospitality is a plus.
• Strong interest in a management career with the opportunity for advancement and promotion.
• Excellent communication, listening, and presentation skills.
• Effective leadership abilities and customer satisfaction focus.
• Technical aptitude demonstrated through interest and exposure to new technology.
• Ability to work at a hotel location within major metro markets.
• Flexibility to relocate

Training

• Trainees participate in Technical, Operations and Sales rotations.
• Hands-on learning in venues alongside our field leaders.
• Instructor-led training conducted at the corporate office in Chicago, IL.
• Certifications through online courses from the following ENCORE University Academies – Leadership, Technical, Operations, Sales, and Service.

When placed in an Operations Manager role you will be expected to manage floor operations to achieve service excellence with a focus on customer service, staff leadership, performance management and development. Achieves the overall goals of the organization through effective workforce and inventory cost control.

When placed in a Sales Manager role you will be responsible for effectively guiding customers through event experiences, identifying solutions that meet their goals and objectives, resulting in a compelling event experience. Utilizes all available tools to ensure maximum event and revenue capture from assigned customer base.

Competencies

Deliver World Class Service

• Hospitality
• Ownership

Do The Right Thing

• Demonstrates Self-Awareness

Drive Results

• Ensures Accountability

See The Big Picture

• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity

Value People

• Collaborates

Physical Requirements

• Sitting: 2-3 Hours
• Standing: 4-5 Hours
• Walking: 4-5 Hours
• Stooping: 2-3 Hours
• Crawling: 2-3 Hours
• Kneeling: 2-3 Hours
• Bending: 2-3 Hours
• Reaching (above your head): 2-3 Hours
• Climbing: 0-1 Hours
• Grasping: 4-5 Hours

Lifting Requirements

• 0 - 15 lbs*: Continuously
• 16 - 50 lbs*: Frequently
• 51 - 100 lbs: Occasionally
• Over 100 lbs: Occasionally

Carrying Requirements

• 0 - 15 lbs*: Continuously
• 16 - 50 lbs*: Frequently
• 51 - 100 lbs: Occasionally
• Over 100 lbs: Never

Auditory/Visual Requirements

• Close Vision: Continuously
• Distance Vision: Continuously
• Color Vision: Frequently
• Peripheral Vision: Occasionally
• Depth Perception: Frequently
• Hearing: Continuously

Pushing/Pulling Requirements

• 0 - 15 lbs*: Continuously
• 16 - 50 lbs*: Frequently
• 51 - 100 lbs*: Frequently
• Over 100 lbs: Occasionally

Encore offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including health insurance and participation in a 401K plan. Trainees will receive a base salary and can earn a base salary + bonus incentive upon placement as an Operations Manager, Associate Producer, Director of Events or Venue Sales Manager (placement will occur immediately upon successful completion of the training). Most importantly, we empower team members to make significant contributions to our business while developing their careers.

Locations

• West- Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas
• Southwest- Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Phoenix
• Midwest- Chicago, Nashville, Memphis
• Southeast- Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Charlotte, Puerto Rico
• Northeast- Boston, New York, Philadelphia, DC Metro Area
• Canada- Toronto, Vancouver

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform criminal background screening and pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Salary Pay Range: $60,000.00 - $62,000.00

The compensation offered for this role is determined based on the qualifications outlined in the job posting for the specified location. Final compensation is based on a number of factors including location, travel, relevant work experience, or particular skills and expertise. In addition, some positions may be eligible for other compensation such as potential overtime, bonuses or incentives.

Encore is committed to providing the best benefits options for our employees and families. We pride ourselves on cultivating a welcoming culture where every individual is celebrated for their unique strengths and differences.