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.
Gift Shop
We are looking for an experienced retail shop associate interested in strengthening and growing their already abundant retail skills. Guest service is our priority and in providing that you will be constantly gathering and conveying information about our always-changing product lines. Seeking solutions for our guests while maintaining a relaxed, professional attitude is key. Growing in retail management skills and responsibilities will be a daily task and offer challenges and develop useful skills across the employment spectrum.
What You’ll Do Here
Apply all principles of excellent retail guest service, including
- Greeting and directing customers as needed
- Completing sales and returns
- Preparing products for travel
- Providing specific and general information regarding our various vendors and products
- Multi-tasking through both the retail shop portion and the café portion of the business
- Maintaining visual merchandise displays by cleaning, restocking from backstock, noting and reporting depleted stock levels, and completing standard shop upkeep as needed
- Working closely with shop management to receive merchandise, and reconcile orders and invoices
- Properly tag and label products, and prepare them for sale
- Be constantly learning: new products, new vendors, new modalities of health and happiness
- Having fun and being creative! The space is one of creativity and joy, the right associate will embrace it as it embraces them.
Skills and Qualifications
- Must have proven positive experience as a retail sales associate.
- Computer literacy is a must, as are basic math skills.
- Shopify experience is a plus.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Desire to learn and convey information for holistic, natural, inspirational, and life-expanding products.
- Flexibility in scheduling.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and then shift easily into quiet, task-focused work.
Hospitality
The Retreat Operations Manager plays a vital role in ensuring the seamless operation of our retreat center and delivering exceptional guest experiences. This position oversees a talented team of managers and supervisors responsible for Front Desk operations, Reservations, Events, and Internal Transportation. Their leadership and strategic guidance ensure that every aspect of our guests’ journey is thoughtfully planned and executed to perfection.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and direction to the Retreat Operations staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of each department, including staffing, scheduling, training, and performance management.
- Collaborate with department managers to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and best practices to optimize efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and guest feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for continuous enhancement.
- Act as a liaison between department managers, ensuring clear communication and coordination across all areas of operation.
Manage budgetary responsibilities for each department, including expense tracking, budget forecasting, and resource allocation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field.
- Minimum 5–10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with at least 3 years in a management or leadership role overseeing multiple departments.
- Proven track record of effectively leading and developing teams to achieve organizational objectives.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and foster positive relationships with team members and guests.
- Proficiency in computer systems and software applications relevant to hospitality operations.
The Assistant Retreat Operations Manager plays a crucial role in supporting the Retreat Operations Manager and ensuring the smooth operation of our retreat center during evening and night shifts, as well as when the manager is off duty. They help oversee various aspects of retreat operations, including the Front Desk, Reservations, Events, and Internal Transportation, and ensure that guest experiences are always exceptional.
Key responsibilities include,
- Assist the Retreat Operations Manager in ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Manage evening and night shift staff, providing guidance, support, and training as needed to ensure high-quality guest services.
- Collaborate with department managers to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and best practices to optimize efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Handle guest inquiries, requests, and concerns during shifts, resolving issues promptly and effectively to ensure a positive guest experience.
- Assist in monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and guest feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for continuous enhancement.
- Perform administrative tasks, including shift reports, inventory management, and financial transactions per established procedures.
Qualifications we seek include,
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field.
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with previous experience in a supervisory or leadership role preferred.
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with guests and team members.
- Proficiency in computer systems and software applications relevant to hospitality operations.
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 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.
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].
