Job Opportunities
Opened in 2012, The Art of Living Retreat Center is the newest outgrowth of the Art of Living Foundation’s 40+ year global commitment to health, happiness, and Ayurveda.
Nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the Center offers immersive wellness experiences inspired by authentic traditions of yoga and Ayurveda. From signature workshops in the life-transforming power of breath and meditation to cleanses that have been practiced for thousands of years, the experiences at the center and its Shankara Ayurveda Wellness provide timeless tools that help guests tap into their potential for lasting health and happiness.
The community is built around a spiritual and wellness focus. While this is not necessary in an applicant’s background, you should be able to deeply understand and appreciate this approach to life. For those who are inclined towards this lifestyle, there are plenty of opportunities for personal growth.
Below is a listing of our current job openings; click on the title to learn more.
- On-site housing opportunities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Subsidized meal plans
- Complimentary meditation and yoga classes
- Complimentary participation in our Signature Happiness and Silence Retreats
Full-time positions only also include
- Subsidized Health/Dental Insurance available after 90 days
- Paid Vacation and Sick Time available after 90 days
- Generous 401k contribution/match after one year
All of our positions include opportunities for advancement within the organization, monthly employee appreciation events, and the opportunity to engage in a wholesome lifestyle of self-sufficiency, meaningful work, inner development, and accomplishment.
Must pass a background screening. Please include the following when submitting your application:
- Include the position title in the email subject line
- CV with contactable references
- Minimum of one recent letter of reference
- Copies of any related certificates
Resumes may be submitted via email to [email protected].
Open Positions
Dining & Kitchen
Three times a day, we prepare whole-food meals with the freshest seasonal ingredients we can find. Our priority is to provide our guests with vegetarian nourishment designed to energize and nourish all body types in a stellar dining experience. Meals are served buffet-style.
This position is responsible for washing dishes, pots, and pans during prep periods and service, as well as performing any kitchen prep as directed by the supervisor. May also put away deliveries and organize storage.
Requirements
- Some kitchen experience is preferred, but not required
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- Ability to stand on feet for long periods of time and work in a fast-paced environment
- Mental and emotional stability
- Outstanding people skills; comfortable interacting with diverse populations
- Positive outlook and abundant optimism
We are seeking passionate people to become an integral part of our Dining Team. In our buffet-style Dining Hall, guests self-serve their food and clear their dishes. Our server’s responsibilities include maintaining the buffet, making sure all stations are stocked and clean, prepping salad bar items, and helping in any other capacity to ensure a smooth and professional dining experience. This position also communicates with the Kitchen any front-of-house needs and engages with the guests professionally and politely.
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Attributes for Success
- Some experience working in high-volume restaurants is preferred but not required
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Outstanding communication skills and attention to detail
- Able to stand for extended periods
- Able to interact with guests to ensure a positive dining experience
- Positive outlook and abundant optimism
- Customer service attitude
- Must be able to work weekends/holidays as part of a regular schedule.
Hospitality
The Art of Living Retreat Center seeks a dedicated and friendly individual to join our team as a Front Desk Agent. This position is pivotal in providing exceptional guest service and ensuring smooth operations at the retreat center. As the first point of contact for guests, the Front Desk Agent is responsible for welcoming guests and addressing their inquiries and needs throughout their stay. This vital position requires excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to multitask effectively.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Guest Services
- Greet guests in a friendly and professional manner, creating a positive first impression.
- Provide information about our Retreat Center, available rooms, rates, and amenities.
- Assist guests with online and phone reservations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- Assist guests with check-in and check-out procedures, ensuring a seamless experience.
- Handle guest inquiries, requests, and complaints promptly and professionally.
- Respond to clients’ complaints in a timely and professional manner.
- Provide personalized recommendations and assistance to enhance guests’ overall experience.
- Liaise with housekeeping staff to ensure all rooms are clean and tidy, and that guests’ internal notes are met to accommodate their needs.
- Confirm group reservations and arrange personalized services for attendees.
- Maintain updated records of bookings, signed waivers, and payments.
Reservations and Administration
- Manage guest reservations using the retreat center’s booking system, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- Answer phone calls and emails promptly, providing excellent customer service.
- Coordinate and schedule guest activities, workshops, and events.
- Process payments, issue invoices, and maintain accurate records of financial transactions.
- Provide detailed notes in guests’ reservation files.
- Maintain the front desk area, ensuring cleanliness, organization, and a welcoming ambiance.
- Prepare and distribute daily reports, including occupancy, arrivals, and departures.
- Make hotel keys.
Communication and Teamwork
- Collaborate with other departments, such as housekeeping and maintenance, to ensure smooth operations.
- Communicate guest preferences, special requests, and feedback to relevant team members.
- Act as a liaison between guests and internal staff, ensuring effective communication.
- Foster positive relationships with guests, creating a warm and hospitable environment.
REQUIREMENTS
- A high school diploma or equivalent—education in hospitality or a related field is a plus.
- Proven experience in a customer service role, preferably in the hospitality industry.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in computer systems and software, including MS Office, Google Workspace, and reservation systems.
- Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Knowledge of the Art of Living Foundation and its programs is an advantage.
The Art of Living Retreat Center is committed to providing a nurturing environment for guests seeking personal growth and rejuvenation. As a Front Desk Agent, you will contribute to our mission by ensuring exceptional guest experiences and maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere.
If you are passionate about hospitality, enjoy interacting with people, and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.
Operations
No open positions at this time.
Sales & Marketing
No open positions at this time.
Shankara Ayurveda Wellness
Shankara Ayurveda Wellness at the Art of Living Retreat Center is looking for a Spa Manager to oversee all aspects of the operation including staff management, financial management, and ensuring a positive guest experience while maintaining high standards of service and compliance.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Increase guest count and total revenue by developing and implementing strategies to attract new clients and promote spa services.
- Review staffing needs daily and weekly for efficient management of labor costs.
- Successful execution of all operating systems (checklists, assignments, scheduling) that impact the efficiency of the spa.
- Proper completion of guest check, comp, and void procedures.
- Facilitate and contribute to monthly departmental meetings.
Assign team member schedule. - Contribute to the development and implementation of training programs.
- Properly execute Human Resources functions (interviewing, hiring, documentation, etc.).
- Ensure that each guest experience meets all of the appropriate quality standards.
- Maintain a culture of service in the department.
- Promptly and professionally respond to guest comments and complaints, ensuring guests are accommodated and satisfied.
- Greet, acknowledge, and check back on every guest you encounter.
- Maintain the highest quality service and hospitality, creating a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.
- Ensure the appropriate appearance of the spa, both front and back of house.
- Maintain proper upkeep of operating equipment, utensils, and tools.
- Ensure that staff meet uniform and cleanliness standards.
- Successfully execute all operating systems (checklists, pre-shift meetings, daily assignment sheets, requisitions) that impact the standard of quality of the operation.
- Monitor and ensure that safety and sanitation standards are met in the front and back of house.
- Communicate with staff through daily pre-shift meetings and monthly staff meetings.
- Maintain or assist in maintaining an outlet “communication center” or bulletin board, posting schedules, guest comments, staff assignments, menu information, etc.
- Complete daily shift reports.
- Bolster staff morale by maintaining a positive and successful work environment.
- Ability to assist in any area of the resort as needed that is not specified in the above description.
Skill and Qualifications
- 2–3 years experience in a management position.
- Experience overseeing a staff of at least 10, including salon, aestheticians, massage therapists, administration, and attendants.
- Experienced in business management skills and understanding P&L.
Able to effectively liaise with department managers and supervisors to meet all objectives and budgets. - Exceptional communication skills, written and oral; must be computer literate.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to lift 20 lbs.
- Must be able to remain standing/walking for extended periods, up to 8 hours consecutively.
Shankara Ayurveda Wellness at the Art of Living Retreat Center has openings for licensed, experienced, massage therapists.
Are you looking for an environment that supports your work? Are you seeking to be with a group of people that support the work you do? How about a work schedule that not only allows but promotes a work/life balance? Do you have an interest in Ayurveda Therapies and expanding your healing repertoire?
The focus of our spa is Ayurveda and we offer paid comprehensive training in many traditional Ayurveda therapies, including Abhyanga and Shirodhara. We have both part-time (3-day work week) or full-time (4- or 5–day work week) openings. Most therapies are sixty minutes long, with thirty minutes between most treatments. We do a maximum of five therapies a day.
Our Shankara Ayurveda Wellness is positioned to be the premier Ayurvedic Wellness Center in the US, as our wellness programs have been recognized as Best Ayurvedic Program and Best Detox Program by Organic Spa Magazine.
We offer a great work environment, competitive wages, health, dental, 401k, and lots of wellness perks! Join an award-winning team!
Must be a licensed massage bodywork therapist in North Carolina, and eligible to work in the US; we do not sponsor.
Are you seeking a position that allows you to use your administrative and customer service skills to make a difference in the lives of others? We are seeking an organized, energetic advisor to be part of our award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness team. The ideal candidate can multi-task in a busy environment while maintaining a serene environment for our guests.
Responsibilities
- Greet guests warmly and professionally, with a smile, proper verbiage, and etiquette.
- Answer telephone, email, and in-person inquiries professionally, describing services, packages, and detox retreats, using clear and professional language.
- Book appointments using our reservations software system—obtain credit card information, inform of cancellation policies, and provide directions as needed.
- Check-in guests for services, process payments, and provide an orientation of the Center.
- Cross-sell Shankara Skin Care products and assist guests with retail sales.
- Maintain clean, organized, well-stocked guest and office areas.
- Other administrative duties as noted on the full job description—available upon request.
Qualifications
- Previous experience in spa/hospitality industry preferred (not required)
- Clear, effective, and pleasant communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and stay calm under pressure
- Attention to detail
- Desire to grow and be open to feedback
- Ability to develop/maintain positive and professional relationships with team members
- Understand and display spa philosophy (balance, relaxation, wellness)
- Flexibility to work varying schedules to reflect the needs of the Center, including weekends and holidays.
Shankara Ayurveda Wellness at the Art of Living Retreat Center has openings for part-time or full-time Wellness Attendants. These roles ensure that the spa is clean and well-stocked and that therapists have treatment supplies. Wellness Attendants play a critical role in the efficient operations of the spa.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Spa Attending
- Open/close the third floor of the spa each day—unlock/lock doors, stock guest areas, empty trash, refill tea table supplies, tidy and clean, etc.
- Maintain cleanliness of third-floor guest areas (i.e., lounge, steam rooms, hallway, and bathrooms) and restock amenities throughout the day, especially before and after peak check-in times.
- Check-in with guests in the relaxation room, offer more tea, clear mugs, etc.
- Ensure guests are picked up by their therapist on time, according to schedule.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the third-floor laundry room; keeping up with laundry, dishes, etc. Keep closet areas throughout the third floor stocked and organized.
- Maintain first-floor steam room and tea lounge—empty linens/trash, restock towels/robes, restock/collect mugs, refill tea table supplies, tidy/spot clean, etc.
- Assist team members in completing third-floor daily side work checklists.
- Work on deep cleaning or special projects, as needed or assigned by the Spa Supervisor or Spa Director.
Panchakarma/Special Events
- Assist Ayurveda Coordinator with duties related to PK, as requested.
- Assist therapists with panchakarma treatments, supplies, etc.
- Preparation of Treatment Supplies
- Prepare basti balls for all basti treatments.
- Prepare shirodhara headrest sheets and Shiro strips.
- Prepare herbal udvartana powder.
- Additional preparation of supplies upon request.
Treatment Setup/Breakdown
- Assist therapists with setup/breakdown of treatments, as needed.
- Check-in with therapists and offer support/assistance, esp. during busy times.
Spa Meetings & Trainings
- Periodically check in with the Spa Supervisor or Spa Director during scheduled shifts, for updates or special projects.
- Attend all spa meetings and staff trainings.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience in the spa/hospitality industry is preferred, but not required.
- Clear, effective, and pleasant communication skills.
- Ability to multi-task and stay calm under pressure.
- Attention to detail.
- Desire to grow and be open to feedback.
- Ability to develop/maintain positive and professional relationships with team members.
- Understand and display spa philosophy (balance, relaxation, wellness).
- Flexible to work varying schedules to reflect the needs of the spa/retreat center; weekend/holiday availability required.
Application Requirements
Must pass a background screening. Please include the following when submitting your application:
- Include the position title in the email subject line
- CV with contactable references
- Minimum of one recent letter of reference
- Copies of any related certificates
Resumes may be submitted via email to [email protected].
