Retreat Director

Position Title: Retreat Director
FLSA Status: FT, Exempt
Reports To: Board of Directors
Department: Administration
Location: On-Site

Position Overview

As the Retreat Director, you will serve as the chief architect for reviving a facility that has been dormant since 2020. This position serves as the strategic and operational leader of OM Sanctuary, a nonprofit holistic educational retreat center preparing for phased reopening.  This is a high-impact, project management-intensive role requiring a blend of leadership and operational excellence and mission adherence.

Reporting Structure: This position reports directly to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. You will act as the primary liaison between the facility’s physical operations and the Board’s strategic governance, reporting on reopening milestones, capital expenditures, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead reopening strategy and phased operational rollout
• Partner with Chair of the Board on all  governance, and sustainability
• Strategize and create tactical plans and policies for effective, efficient hiring strategies and performance measures for workers
• Work with Leaders to plan and implement all capital and facility development
• Effectively manage across the organization to ensure smooth operations
• Create and lead cross-departmental teams to optimize operational functions including Operations, Finance, Wellness Programming, HR, and Maintenance. 

General Management

• Create and interpret organizational policies and plans; establish management and operating plans for each department within defined organizational scope.
• Communicate strategic direction and operational objectives and plans to management team members and ensure plans and policies are consistently implemented.
• Hire, develop, evaluate, and lead direct reports. Develop and monitor departmental and cross-departmental staffing structures. 
• Continually improve organizational processes and infrastructure within the retreat center.
• Respond with skill and tact to resolve issues/crises that arise during the day-to-day running of the retreat center. Implement process improvement to minimize issues.
• Oversee vendor, contractor, and consulting partnerships. Negotiate contracts for new services as needed.

Financial & Fundraising Leadership

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow
• Partner with the Board on all donor relations, fundraising and grant strategy and work with the Board to ensure strategy is executed
• Build earned revenue streams (retreats, programs, rentals)
• Set and monitor profitable annual goals to meet fiscal objectives
• Provide Program cost analysis
• Oversee departments financials, AP/AR and accounting 

Operations & Retreat Experience

• Oversee retreat operations, wellness programming, and all facilities
• Create strategy and standards for excellent guest service
• Spearhead system for evaluating guest experience and ensure that guest feedback is acted upon such that guests are retained and business objectives are met
• Direct production activities to ensure effective delivery of all programs and events
• Develop SOP implementation across departments
• Ensure health, safety, and regulatory compliance

Sales & Marketing

• Support sales efforts by acting as the resort’s onsite sales manager
• Assist in creating annual marketing plans, calendars, budgets, and action plans
• Produce creative value-add packages and promotions to bolster shoulder season occupancy

Wellness Programming

• Oversee Wellness department leadership
• Ensure that programs offered by and at OM Sanctuary fulfill its mission and that the organizational structure, resources and systems support the programs
• Position the OM Sanctuary programming manager and other employees to effectively engage the community at large in the development, delivery and implementation of and participation in programs
• Develop department budgets

Facilities/Grounds Department

• Oversee the Engineering Maintenance Supervisor, the Groundskeeper teams and the day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of the OMS facilities and grounds
• Oversee the implementation of regular maintenance cycles for all facilities and grounds, machinery, equipment, and furnishings as well as ensure that proper records are kept of such maintenance
• Develop yearly replacement and upgrade options and present these to CEO for action in a timely manner
• Keep appropriate records of all drawings and schematics for all buildings and grounds, building/grounds alterations and renovations/development
• Ensure that all key utility systems are inspected and certified per local, state, and federal standards
• Ensure that sound principles of conservation and green technologies are applied to facilities and grounds
•  Creates and manages facilities needs lists and helps to identify associate costs

Human Resources

• Oversee human capital functions in Human Resources to resonate with and support OM Sanctuary mission, values, and business. 
• Ensure adherence to relevant employment laws and regulations and create OMS employment and volunteer policies as needed. 
• Create and support ongoing employee development, training, and inspiration. Coach and counsel Managers, as well as create and deliver training programs on relevant topics. Motivate and provide direction to employees and volunteers across the organization.
• Facilitate resolution of issues between departments and individuals when appropriate.

Community Relations & Brand Ambassador

• Serve as public ambassador
• Reengage Asheville community and holistic networks
• Strengthen brand positioning as educational retreat center

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years nonprofit leadership in a retreat setting or resort, preference given for prior executive experience in a resort/retreat center with wellness-oriented environment within a body-mind-spirit centered educational setting
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Hospitality Management, Organizational Leadership, Wellness Studies, Recreation/Leisure Studies, Religious or Spiritual Studies, or a closely related field; or equivalent combination of education and progressive leadership experience (minimum 7 years) in a retreat center, nonprofit organization, wellness environment, or mission-driven hospitality setting.

Desired

• Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership, Business Administration (MBA), Organizational Development, Divinity/Theology, Integrative Health, or related discipline.
• Formal training or certification in areas aligned with holistic wellness (e.g., yoga, meditation, mindfulness facilitation, spiritual direction, coaching, trauma-informed leadership).
• Demonstrated experience leading within a retreat center, educational sanctuary, or wellness-focused organization.

Skills & Competencies

• Fundraising and donor stewardship experience
• Experience reopening or scaling organizations preferred
• Grounded, emotionally intelligent leader aligned with wellness values
• Demonstrated financial management experience
• Demonstrated strategic decision-making abilities, sound technical skills, analytical ability, excellent judgment, and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional leadership, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills

Healthy, Safety, & Physical Requirements

Health & Safety Requirements

• Ability to maintain a visible and present on-site leadership presence during retreats and events.
• Ability to remain calm and responsive in emergency or high-pressure situations.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR/AED certification (required within 60 days of hire).
• Ability to comply with all health, safety, and risk management policies of the organization.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to navigate hilly, uneven, and outdoor terrain throughout the retreat property.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during active retreat programming.
• Ability to lift and move materials, supplies, or equipment up to 40–50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to assist with light event setup, including moving tables, chairs, and retreat materials.
• Capacity to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, during active retreat periods.
• Ability to respond promptly to guest or facility needs across the property.
• Ability to support implementation of emergency preparedness protocols, including severe weather and guest medical incidents.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and substance-free environment aligned with the organization’s wellness mission.