Job Opportunities

Director–Seven Oaks Retreat Center

Full Time

Seven Oaks is a 60-bed Buddhist retreat center purchased by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington in March of 2024. It’s located in Madison, Va., in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 90 minutes southwest of Washington, DC and 30 minutes north of Charlottesville, Va.

The Director will provide leadership to enable the IMCW Board of Directors, Seven Oaks Steering Committee, and Seven Oaks staff to effectively carry out the mission and vision for the retreat center. The Director should have strong organizational leadership skills, fundraising experience, the ability to oversee the operation of a mid-sized retreat center and be a natural team builder. The candidate should also have strong DEIA competencies, and a deep commitment to ensuring Seven Oaks is welcoming to all people.

The Seven Oaks Director is a mostly on-site position in Madison, Va., with flexibility for working remotely when needed.

Reporting Relationships:

The Director reports to the IMCW executive directors, and directly supervises the Seven Oaks Hospitality Director and Facilities Director.

Primary Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Provides leadership to senior Seven Oaks staff and works closely with the IMCW Board, Executive Team, Development Director, and Seven Oaks Steering Committee.  

• Represents IMCW/Seven Oaks’ values and establishes and maintains trusting relationships with staff, teachers, Board, and community.  

• Promotes and champions IMCW/Seven Oaks’ DEIA goals and values.

• Maintains a balance between involvement in day-to-day operational details and long-term strategy.

Management

• Manages department heads of Hospitality and Facilities.  

• Continues to refine Seven Oaks’ organizational structure and staffing priorities within the limits of approved operating budgets.    

• Oversees compliance with state and county regulations.

Capital Campaign & Fundraising

• Implements the Seven Oaks Development program.

• Oversees the Seven Oaks Director of Development and Fundraising Committee.

• Takes a leadership role, with the Director of Development, in the successful launch and stewardship of Seven Oaks’ $8M capital campaign.

• Cultivates relationships with major donors, foundations, and organizations.

• Reports regularly to IMCW Board on progress.

Financial Management

• Provides consistent oversight and reporting and is accountable to all Seven Oaks’ constituents for the stewardship of the organization’s resources. 

Communications/Marketing

• Provides oversight of Marketing and Communications and regularly and effectively communicates with Seven Oaks constituents (Board, teachers, staff, donors, volunteers, wider sangha) regarding Seven Oaks’ vision, mission, and activities.  

Strategic Planning

• Partners with the IMCW Board of Directors, Seven Oaks Steering Committee, and senior Management in the development and execution of short and long-term goals.  

• Provides leadership in planning processes and reviews.  

• Translates approved strategic directions and goals into actions and oversees their effective implementation.  

Culture

• Nurtures an organizational culture that reflects IMCW/Seven Oaks’ values and helps realize the mission.  

• Actively supports staff development opportunities.

• Supports the integration of workplace and dharma practice and supports a culture of a Learning Community and dharma-centric decision making.

• Builds a positive and collaborative team environment.   

Qualifications:

• Ten years or more of successful executive level management experience managing teams of 10 or more

• Strong financial and systems management

• Fundraising experience, specifically individual major gifts work

• Ability to manage a capital campaign project

• High level of emotional intelligence

• Ability to lead by example 

• Excellent listener and communicator, both written and verbal

• Trust builder

• High level of diplomacy

• Technology proficiency including payroll and time systems, budgeting and financial reporting software

• Self-awareness of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work

• Lived experience in Buddhist practices preferred

• Commitment to the mission of IMCW/Seven Oaks

Compensation & Benefits:

As with all IMCW & Seven Oaks staff to date, this is a contractor position compensated at an hourly rate. The range is $40-50/hr. Benefits include paid time off for vacation, retreat, or professional development, meals while retreats are in session, and a monthly stipend for health insurance.

 To Apply:

This position is posted in December of 2024 and will remain open until filled. Interested parties should send a resume and cover letter to trisha.stotler@imcw.org.