Program Coordinator - Dharma Gates

At a time when our planet faces unprecedented challenges and young peoples’ mental health is in precipitous decline, access to wisdom traditions has never been more vital. Dharma Gates is a grassroots nonprofit breaking down barriers that prevent young adults from engaging with living lineages of Buddhist practice.

We focus on liberation itself as a reality and a possibility for young practitioners and work to seed possibilities for deep mutual benefit wherever we can. By empowering young practitioners through connections to deeply practiced teachers and communities, we're fostering a new generation of resilient, compassionate leaders equipped to meet the unique challenges of our times. By fostering a culture of contemplative training in the United States for generations to come, we promote a local and global culture of skillfulness, wisdom, and compassion rippling outward. 

We are excited to be hiring a Program Director to join our programming staff and be on the front lines of our work. This role is an extraordinary opportunity for the right person.

About Dharma Gates:

Dharma Gates operates at the intersection of formal Buddhist practice and social impact. Our grassroots approach focuses on eliminating conceptual, logistical, and financial barriers that often prevent young adults from accessing formal meditation practice. We create pathways for deeper engagement with Buddhist teachings and foster connections that support practitioners in cultivating compassion, resilience, and clarity.

As part of our commitment to deep practice, Dharma Gates fosters a supportive work environment that empowers all staff to maintain a daily meditation practice and to frequently attend meditation retreats. Our team culture emphasizes collaboration, autonomy, and lifelong learning within Buddhist wisdom traditions. Dharma Gates operates as a hybrid in-person/remote 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 84-4831330).

Position Overview:

We are looking for someone comfortable in a dynamic, fast-growing work environment. We are in a process of significant growth and view ourselves as a ”non-profit start-up” work-place. 

The Program Coordinator is responsible for planning, overseeing, and executing Dharma Gates programs in alignment with our mission of opening pathways to deep meditation practice for young adults. You will own and be responsible for the programming in the specific region you live, as well as for helping out with other programming nationally. We are looking for someone who lives or wants to live in the Rocky Mountain or West Coast region of the US, but we are open to all applicants. While the title for this role is regional program coordinator, you will also be expected to dip your toes into and develop skills in fundraising, marketing, and other critical non-profit skills. 

This role involves frequent collaboration with Dharma teachers, retreat centers, volunteers, Dharma Gates team-members, donors and program participants to ensure the successful execution of high-quality programs and directly reports to the Director of Programming. As Program Coordinator, you will play a vital role in catalyzing the next generation of compassionate leaders by creating opportunities for young adults to cultivate resilience, wisdom, and clarity in challenging times!

Key Responsibilities:

  • Program Design and Implementation – In collaboration with other programming staff, develop, coordinate, and execute a variety of Dharma Gates programs, including drop-in events, multi-day silent retreats, and online offerings.

  • Retreat Management – Serve as retreat manager for multi-day silent retreats, ensuring smooth and safe program delivery by adhering to Dharma Gates’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Program Coordinators will be required to manage 5 (or more) week-long silent meditation retreats per year. All travel costs will be reimbursed.

  • Oversee logistics –  Coordinate with teachers and centers, and manage on-site operations of our retreats

  • Hold space –  Participants often need emotional support while on silent retreat. One of the key responsibilities of this role is provide responsive, skillful communication and care in moments of need or crisis for participants.

  • Process improvement – Regularly evaluate and iterate on Standard Operating Procedures for events, incorporating feedback from participants and team members.

  • Promotion – Help promote retreats and events by managing social media, creating outreach materials, and networking with local communities and volunteers.

  • Budgeting – Develop and manage program budgets, submitting them to the Executive Director for approval.

  • Excited to “do it all”– Assist with a variety of administrative, fundraising, marketing, and operational projects and tasks to support the broader mission of Dharma Gates.

  • Personal Practice – Maintain a committed daily meditation practice and embody the 5 precepts in daily life. Regular attendance at meditation retreats outside of Dharma Gates is highly encouraged

  • In-Person Summits - The program team will come together three times per year in-person for intensive co-working “summits” where we move forward key organizational objectives, get to know other staff more deeply, and engage in trainings in relational practices or other modalities supportive to the role. Travel expenses will be reimbursed (if staff are flying from abroad, they may be expected to pitch in.)

Qualifications:

  • Meditation Practice – Background and extensive experience in meditation, Buddhist practice, and silent retreats and a deep commitment to deepening through personal practice through the role.

  • Administrative Excellence – Demonstrated skills in logistics, operations, and project management. Experience with tools like Notion, Salesforce and TitanForms is a plus.

  • Leadership & Communication – Proven ability to hold space for others, communicate skillfully, and respond effectively to challenges or crises.

  • Self-Motivated – Autonomous and self-directed, with the ability to work effectively in a fully remote environment.

  • Organizational Skills – Strong attention to detail, including the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

  • Interpersonal Skills –Excited to deepen relationships with varied Buddhist communities and teachers across the United States. Able to build rapport with participants quickly and skillfully. Interest and deep willingness to engage in relational work and practice such as Non-violent Communication, Circling, Authentic Relating, or others.

Compensation & Hours:

  • Hours –  Part-time, hourly. 20-25 hours per week expected. 

  • Compensation – $28/hour

  • Location – Remote with in-person attendance required for individual retreats and events. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. Preference given to someone living in the Western part of the United States.

Professional Development & Benefits

  • HSA Stipend – You will be reimbursed for up to $2,500 for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses

  • Retreat Stipend – Dharma Gates will contribute up to $1,000 for personal meditation retreats

  • Access to Dharma Teachers & Centers –  This role is unique in that you will get to work closely with many Dharma teachers, retreat centers and monasteries. One of the wonderful benefits of this role is working in close proximity to these teachers and centers and having relationships with them. We also have a very generous time-off policy such that if you want to do a personal retreat at a monastery or take an extended leave for Dharma practice, we do what we can to arrange that and support you.

  • Skill-building & Training – This role is ideal for someone who loves continuous learning. We want our retreat managers and staff to always be growing and developing deeper skills. Here are some of the areas Dharma Gates is dedicated to offering trainings in:

    • Interpersonal communication and circling practice

    • Group Facilitation

    • Mental Health First Aid & Resiliency

    • Fundraising

    • Leadership

    • Conflict resolution

Work Environment & Culture

  • The foundation of our team culture is Buddhism and the Buddhadharma

  • We are heavily influenced by Cal Newport’s work, in particular his book Slow Productivity

  • We have team meetings twice per week – one meeting that is logistical and focused on getting things done, and one that focuses on feelings, relationships and team dynamics

  • Our team culture is compassionate, reflective, supportive, grounded and purposeful

To Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and two professional references by email to team@dharma-gates.org. In your cover letter, please share what draws you to Dharma Gates' mission, as well as your background with meditation and Buddhist practice. Please include in the subject line “Program Coordinator” so we can receive and track your application.

Dharma Gates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or other factors.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to applications received by March 1st, 2025.

Initial application review will begin immediately, with first-round interviews expected to take place in mid-March of 2025.