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Shambhala Employment Opportunity
Executive Director, Boston Shambhala Center
Full time, managerial position
Salary range: $35K-45K depending on skills and experience level
Start date: TBD
Application deadline: February 10th, 2008
The Boston Shambhala Center, a community of about 175 practitioners (made up of a mix of many seasoned practitioners and a thriving community of newer students), is engaged in a search for a new Director. The Center is looking for a Director with a heart connection to the Shambhala Buddhist dharma and excellent communication and administrative skills, to help provide a ground where the teachings, practices, and community life of local practitioners can thrive.
The Director is the principal administrator of the Center. He or she works under the overall direction of the Board of Trustees, and oversees the Shambhala Council, which includes the Rusung, the Practice and Education Coordinator, the Finance Coordinator, and other area heads. She or he provides leadership and a point of contact for the Center's members and visitors, including visiting teachers.
Boston is a diverse, cosmopolitan city with many universities, cultural institutions, research hospitals, and entrepreneurial startups. The Boston Shambhala Center is located in a beautifully renovated, community-owned building in Brookline, Massachusetts. In recent years the Center has experienced steady growth in its public programs and classes. In keeping with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's vision, we are eager to extend Shambhala Buddhism to as many people as possible, particularly through the implementation of the new curriculum, and expanded hosting of visiting teachers and Acharyas. Accordingly, we seek a Director with a strong intention to support the vision and activity of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, as well as the founding vision of the Druk Sakyong Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, able to work closely with the Boston Board of Trustees, the Shambhala Council, support staff, and the greater community in expanding and celebrating the precious teachings of Shambhala Buddhism.
Principal Responsibilities:
I. Planning
- Work in close collaboration with the Board of Trustees in developing and implementing the strategic goals and priorities of the Center. The Center is currently going through a strategic planning process to create the vision for the next 5 years, which is also the first step that the Center is taking in response to the Sakyong’s request that we move to a new location which will allow us to even more fully manifest the vision of Shambhala. The start date roughly corresponds to the timeframe where we will be turning the vision into a specific action plan. The new Director will ideally play a key role in the creation of this action plan and in overseeing its execution.
- Work with the Shambhala Council and the Board of Trustees to develop an annual budget, and report to the Board of Trustees quarterly regarding progress against that budget
- Guide the mix of programs at the Center, balancing financial considerations, the needs and interests of members and newcomers, and the vision of Shambhala Buddhism
- Investigate and experiment with ways to reach out to people interested in contemplative practices, both to offer the richness of our tradition and to learn from theirs
II. Operational Responsibilities
- Plan, direct, and coordinate day-to-day activities at the Shambhala Center, including management of volunteers and paid staff (we currently have two part-time paid positions reporting to the director – a Center Coordinator, and a Practice and Education Coordinator)
- Manage the Shambhala Council. Oversee Council appointments, developmental activities, and performance reviews,consulting with others as appropriate
- Organize Shambhala Buddhist holidays such as Harvest of Peace and Shambhala Day
- Establish and maintain systems for magnetizing and supporting volunteers from the membership to staff practice, education and community events within the Center
- Ensure appropriate management and maintenance of the Center
- Be personally conversant with the software and systems in place at the Shambhala Center
III.Communication
- Through the Shambhala Council, Practice and Education Council and Kalapa Council, work to magnetize major spiritual teachers, Acharyas and social leaders to the Shambhala Center
- In collaboration with the Practice and Education Coordinator, facilitate the activities of the community's practice and education leaders on the Practice and Education Council, which include the beginning, intermediate and advanced committees, as well as the teacher development and teacher magnetizing committees
- Ensure the overall health and well-being of the community and its members, working with the Board of Trustees, the Shambhala Council, the Dorje Kasung, the Council of Care and Conduct, and other groups
- Lead Center efforts in securing donations of time and money from both active members and the broader society
- Encourage effective two-way communications between the Center and its members, both personally and through the internet, community meetings, and so on
- Communicate and coordinate with regional, national and international contemplative practice centers in the planning and execution of Center curriculum and activities
- Facilitate the Center's communication and cooperation with the Office of the President, the governing structures of Shambhala International, and other Shambhala groups world-wide
- Effectively facilitate the Center's networking and cooperation with individuals and groups within the greater Boston metropolitan area, promoting and drawing out the many aspects of enlightened society within the local community
- Represent (and ensure proper representation of)the Shambhala Center to the general public, prospective members, newer students, and visiting teachers
- Ensure that the Center and its programs are publicized effectively and to appropriate audiences
Required personal qualities and experience - a suitable candidate will:
- Be a committed, energetic, and articulate practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism
- Have attended or be willing to attend advanced Shambhala programs such as Sutrayana/Vajrayana Seminary and Warriors Assembly
- Manifest loyalty and devotion to the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
- Be people-oriented, well organized, and able to listen, lead, delegate, and make decisions
- Communicate clearly and precisely, both orally and in writing
- Respect and encourage diversity both within the administration of the Shambhala Center and throughout the community
- Be able to work collaboratively with the Office of the President, the governing structures of Shambhala International, the Boston Board of Trustees, the Shambhala Council, and a wide variety of volunteer staff
The following work experiences are considered to be important foundations for this role:
- Significant experience in the recruitment and management of volunteer and paid staff
- Preparation of, and accountability for, financial projections and budgets
- Previous demonstrable accomplishment in motivating and managing others in the execution of both operational details and strategic goals
Required commitment: candidates for this role will need to commit the requisite time and energy to establish their presence at the Shambhala Center, and effectively administer all aspects of staffing, finance, etc. This entailscombining regular daytime hours at the Center with evening meetings and close monitoring of weekend programs and classes.
The salary range is $35K to $45K depending on skills and experience. Benefits include 4 weeks paid vacation, and a 50% discount on all Shambhala programs throughout the mandala.
To apply for the position:
The deadline for all applications is 2/10/08. Please send a letter describing your suitability for this position, along with a resume and contact information for three professional references. Ideally, these materials should be provided via email (i.e. in the form of attachments) to the address listed below. If this is not possible, a postal address is provided below as well.
Jon Wyman, Chair
Boston Shambhala Center Board of Trustees
18 Old Sudbury Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Email: jonathan.wyman@gmail.com
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