Manager, Culture & Recognition

United Fidelity Bank

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Culture & Recognition Manager is responsible for bringing the DRIVE culture to life beyond the handbook through events, meaningful milestones, and recognition programs. This highly visible, execution-focused role blends creativity with operational discipline, requiring meticulous planning, consistent delivery, and a constant focus on the associate experience. As a Manager role with enterprise reach, this position partners across HR, Operations, and senior leadership to deliver programs that reinforce AutoNation's identity as an employer and its treatment of people. This role is fully onsite at the HQ in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in HR, culture, employee engagement, recognition, or event management
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale or multi-site associate-facing events end-to-end
• Experience managing recognition programs or vendor platforms, including administrative and reporting responsibilities
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills - able to manage multiple events and programs simultaneously without details falling through the cracks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce polished associate-facing content, executive communications, and program materials
• High attention to detail and a low tolerance for a milestone being missed or an experience falling flat
• Collaborative and relationship-driven - this role requires trust and coordination across many stakeholders simultaneously

Nice To Haves

• Experience with a third-party recognition platform (Workhuman, Achievers, Reward Gateway, or equivalent)
• Background in culture activation, employer brand, or internal communications
• Experience in a large, multi-site, or operationally complex organization with distributed associate populations
• Familiarity with engagement data and how to connect recognition and culture programming to listening outcomes
• Event planning certification or equivalent professional experience in hospitality or corporate events

Responsibilities

• Design and execute AutoNation’s enterprise culture and engagement event calendar, including associate appreciation events, company milestones, national observances, and DRIVE culture activations.
• Own event logistics end-to-end: venue coordination, vendor management, budget tracking, communications, run-of-show, and post-event wrap-up.
• Partner with senior leadership, including the CHRO and CEO, on enterprise-wide culture moments.
• Build a culture programming calendar in advance of each year, ensuring events are planned with enough lead time and distributed equitably.
• Capture event feedback and participation data to inform future programming.
• Partner with HRBPs and Talent Advisors to ensure culture programming reaches field associates.
• Own the design, administration, and continuous improvement of AutoNation’s enterprise recognition programs.
• Serve as the primary platform administrator for AutoNation’s recognition technology.
• Develop recognition guidelines, toolkits, and communications.
• Track recognition program participation, adoption, and sentiment across the organization.
• Identify opportunities to close recognition gaps.
• Stay current on recognition best practices and emerging trends.
• Own the full administration of AutoNation’s Service Awards program.
• Manage award fulfillment logistics in partnership with vendors.
• Maintain accurate milestone data in partnership with HRIS.
• Develop Service Awards communications and manager guides.
• Track program health metrics including fulfillment accuracy, on-time delivery, and associate satisfaction.
• Serve as a culture champion and practitioner - embedding DRIVE values into every program, event, and recognition touchpoint.
• Partner with the Director and HR leadership to identify cultural moments that warrant enterprise-level programming.
• Support the rollout of culture-related initiatives from the Talent Strategy team.
• Maintain a pulse on cultural health across the organization.
• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and development support for the Associate Experience Specialist.
• Conduct regular 1:1s and ongoing feedback conversations.
• Partner with the Director on goal-setting, performance reviews, and development planning for the Associate Experience Specialist.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for platform issues, stakeholder questions, and workload prioritization within the listening and engagement function.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• 401k matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Maternity benefits
• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear
• Access to deals and discounts through YouDecide
• Participation in the DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed