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Chief Business Officer

About Omega Institute 

Omega was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1977 on a profound ideal—to help awaken the best in the human spirit. Every year, tens of thousands of people attend our innovative educational workshops, trainings, conferences, and retreats on our Hudson Valley campus and more than two million people join us online. From the beginning, we have been guided by these core beliefs: that personal and social change are inexorably linked; that all people deserve and can cultivate health and happiness; and that we are interconnected and responsible for each other and the earth we share. Our integrated approach to personal and social change has made Omega different from other learning centers and conference conveners — we are neither a university nor a retreat center. We are a hub for a global community of lifelong learners, seekers, creators, thinkers, and doers.

When Omega first began, yoga and meditation, environmental sustainability, women’s leadership, natural foods and integrative medicine, indigenous wisdom, inter-religious and non-religious spirituality, and world music and transformational art were all subjects at the fringe of Western society. Now, yoga studios are on every corner; meditation is being taught in public schools; hospitals are embracing stress reduction, acupuncture, and energy medicine; women are leading and innovating in a variety of sectors; global climate change is a reality; and food— whether it’s about its local production, food deserts, or healthy lifestyles—is central to the cultural conversation. And the urgent issue of bridging growing divides has become central to our understanding of evolving human consciousness.

Thanks to our extraordinary faculty, staff, and extended community of millions of participants, we have become one of the largest and most trusted centers for lifelong learning in the world. We are excited to move into our 50^th year. Our next big step is to translate the excellence we have achieved and the expertise we have honed since our inception to meet the needs of new generations and communities and build on our leadership in convening communities, forming new entrepreneurial collaborations, and sharing the ever-changing ways of inspiring care of the self and care of the world. 

As we move into our next chapter, Omega seeks a new member to our executive team – a leader who will help us chart our business model forward. The Chief Business Officer will lead and implement the organization’s business strategy, directly lead a significant portion of our operation, and bring new perspective to how we attract and build new communities to meet the changing needs in the world.

Position Overview

The Chief Business Officer will be joining Omega at a time of significant organizational transition and business-model realignment. The Chief Business Officer is a visionary, self-motivated leader responsible for translating Omega’s vision into a successful business strategy that cultivates engagement with the next generation of Omega’s global community. This role is responsible for the operational oversight of Omega’s campus facility, business centers and Omega’s dining services to ensure both strong, integrated participant experience and business performance. The Chief Business Officer will also partner with the operational, marketing, digital and programming arms of the organization to ensure solid program, product and customer service, business planning and implementation. The Chief Business Officer will also partner with the Finance Department to ensure business processes align with accounting policies and procedures. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Business Officer serves as a critical member of the Executive Leadership Team, sharing responsibility of strategic and budgetary planning and acting as a liaison between the leadership team and staff, to ensure goals are understood and achieved.  

Key responsibilities include advancing Omega’s campus as a model learning laboratory that incorporates sustainable and regenerative design principles across all facets of the organization; optimizing on-site business operations – such as the bookstore, café, and wellness center – to enrich participant experiences; and supporting the continual evaluation of programming to consistently deliver engaging opportunities to advance Omega’s mission. 

This role requires strong skills and experience in business strategy and implementation, executive leadership, budgeting and financial management, product development and sales growth, change management and team building. The ideal candidate will have the ability both to design the business strategy and the skills to execute in alignment with that strategy. Experience in managing a large customer service-oriented facility, campus or property in industries such as hospitality, academic or conference centers, spa or retreat centers is essential. We are looking for a candidate with the proven ability to use this experience to create great customer experiences and environments that encourage connection, community and learning. 

Essential Functions

Create & Implement a Comprehensive Business Strategy

• Develop a comprehensive strategy focused on driving revenue growth leading to long-term success, with a specific focus on engaging the next generation of Omega’s global community while ensuring business goals are aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, and values. This includes, but is not limited to: 
  1. Develop and execute a comprehensive business strategy and roadmap aligned with the organization’s overall vision. Identify market opportunities, assess risks, and make informed decisions regarding investments and resource allocation
  2. Research emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitive landscapes, making informed decisions regarding product positioning, differentiation, and pricing strategies
  3. Contribute to the review, evaluation, and future business planning of the existing business model for in-person and digital programming experiences, including classes, workshops, events, and retreats, to work collaboratively with leaders across the organization to align mission and business goals.
  4. Bring oversight and leadership to the development of Omega’s campus, including on-site business outposts such as the bookstore, café, and wellness center, and in a manner that advances Omega as a profitable learning lab that models sustainable and regenerative design principles 
  5. Establish and monitor key performance indicators and metrics to track performance of the specific offerings, customer satisfaction, and market success. Analyze data and feedback to iterate and continually improve Omega’s programming and campus offerings, with the goals of delivering successful immersive learning and rejuvenating experiences. 

Strategic Executive Leadership 

• Participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team in the overall planning, implementation and evaluation of organizational goals, including acting as bridge between strategy, goals and staff deliverables. Manage and report on performance against goals on a regular cadence. Report on progress to the Board of Directors 
• Working closely with the CFO and other officers, help develop Omega’s annual budget and direct department budgets, contracts, and schedules to ensure financial sustainability and operational efficiency 
• Collaborate with other departments, including Marketing, Digital, External Affairs, and Development, to ensure a cohesive business strategy that meets or exceeds financial goals of the department
• Build and nurture strong relationships with key stakeholders and other members of the Executive Leadership Team. Collaborate with various departments to ensure a cohesive business strategy that meets or exceeds financial goals and  ensures effective communication, alignment, and coordination throughout product development. Act as a liaison between different teams to drive collaboration and achieve shared goals
• Develop a strong risk management strategy to mitigate potential risks to the organization’s operations and finances
• In consultation with the President & CEO, work directly with the founders of the organization, board members and other organizational stakeholders
• Review financial reports and statements regularly to assess organizational performance, identify areas for improvement, and take appropriate steps to bridge gaps for long-term sustenance
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements
• Actively seek ways to influence Omega’s global community by participating in forums, seminars, talks and events to drive awareness and enhance our image 

Team Management

• Effectively build and manage department budgets aligned with the Omega’s strategic priorities and goals
• Provide oversight to teams regarding business performance, providing guidance and fostering cross-team collaboration 
• Lead teams responsible for the business centers and Omega dining services.  
• Set targets, monitor organizational business performance, and provide feedback to guide teams to achieve optimal business effectiveness and efficiency aligned with organizational mission; carry out relevant supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws
• Foster a culture of innovation, creativity, accountability, professional growth, motivation and productivity within the organization 
• Work collaboratively across the organization to achieve our People & Culture goals, including our Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) objectives

 Required Education, Experience, and Attributes

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience required; MBA preferred
• Experience: The candidate must have experience building and implementing successful multi-year business strategies and plans that are aligned to an organization’s goals, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding growth revenue goals, and experience in creating and implementing successful business/product strategies and plans.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in a related field such as product development/management, business administration, or operations, including at least 5 years in a leadership role 
  • Experience using product development and management approaches to meet revenue goals, with specific skills in identifying and translating new business trends and opportunities into mission-aligned product offerings
  • Experience in managing a large customer service-oriented facility, campus or property in industries such as hospitality, academic or conference centers, spa or retreat centers is essential. Proven ability to use this experience to create great customer experiences and learning environments
  • Experience developing and managing spaces using sustainable and regenerative design principles
  • Demonstrates an understanding of and familiarity with conference production and classroom education techniques
  • Brings relevant knowledge of and previous exposure to legal aspects of property management, such as building codes and zoning laws, licenses and requirements, and contract negotiation and management.
  • Experienced and comfortable leading high-stakes change and building alignment across overlapping teams; demonstrated success in building consensus among stakeholders to achieve business goals
  • Experience successfully managing and mentoring employees, with a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture
  • Experience managing and overseeing departmental budgets
  • Experience in holistic studies, wellness, or mindfulness is desirable 
• Attributes: The Chief Business Officer will embody our collaborative and supportive culture and will have a passion for sustainable business, lifelong learning and spiritual exploration. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the integrated nature of personal, social, and cultural change.
  • A creative, out-of-the-box thinker who adapts their approaches as challenges evolve
  • Culturally competent, with a commitment to Omega’s core values and aspirations, and an appreciation of Omega’s rich history and impact 
  • Sound decision-making skills, with the ability to use a variety of data-driven approaches to understand and evaluate outcomes
  • Excellent business acumen, with a deep understanding of business operations, financial principles, market dynamics, and industry-specific issues
  • A trusted senior leader, supportive team member and business partner
  • Excellent communications skills, including superb storytelling and writing, comfortable speaking in public and with a range of constituencies
  • A good listener and observer who brings a talent for paying attention to the details while seeing the big picture
  • A clear thinker with the ability to organize, problem solve, and manage multiple systems and independent processes with ease
  • A superb team builder and people manager, able to navigate between managing long-service staff and a high-volume seasonal staff. Strong ability to build relationships and influence key stakeholders to grow capacity within our organization and maximize our collective impact.
  • Passionate about Omega’s history and mission and committed to holistic education and our integrated approach to personal and social change.
  • A global perspective, with a strong understanding of industry business trends, geopolitical factors, and cultural nuances and how they affect Omega

Work Details

• This position is based at Omega Institute’s campus in Rhinebeck, NY, with potential for hybrid or remote work arrangements.
• This is a full-time, exempt position. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Ability to traverse a hilly campus in diverse weather conditions.
• Ability to position self to perform diverse job tasks as necessary.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand, and ability to exchange accurate information in these situations. 

Meaningful & Mission-Driven Community

When you join Omega’s Core Staff, you become part of a globally recognized nonprofit dedicated to personal growth, social change, and sustainability. Together, we cultivate a collaborative work environment that fosters lifelong learning and spiritual exploration, while nurturing an inclusive community of belonging.  

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary of $150,000 - $160,000  
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • Retirement savings plan (403b)
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, sick, and personal days
  • Employee assistance program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support
• Flexible and hybrid work options (available for most positions):
  • April–October (campus open for guest season): Hybrid work schedule
  • November–March (campus closed): Remote work from home 
• Complimentary meals in the Dining Hall during workdays
• Discounts in Omega’s Café, Bookstore, and Wellness Center
• Daily classes in yoga, meditation, and tai chi (open to Omega participants and staff)
• Special classes and community gatherings (exclusive to staff)
• One complimentary catalog workshop registration per year, plus discounts on any additional catalog workshops
• Amenities include Long Pond Lake (kayaking/boating), tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, hiking trails, gardens, and more 

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Omega complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable New York State or local laws. Consistent with those requirements, Omega will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.   

Equal Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination and JEDI Statement

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Inc. (“Omega”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, New York State, and local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. As a community of learners, we are committed to putting our organizational aspirations into practice, as outlined in our Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion (JEDI) Statement.

Omega strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of actual or perceived race; color; creed; age; religion; national origin; citizenship status; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions); gender (including gender identity); sexual orientation; disability; marital status; partnership status; familial status; status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses; genetic predisposition; veteran’s status; military status; or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. All Omega employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

Applying for the Position

A cover letter is required; applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 
  After carefully reviewing the position requirements, qualified individuals are invited to apply. A resume and well-crafted cover letter should be attached that serves as an introduction and includes the following:

• In what way have Omega’s core values resonated within your work life and personal life?
• How has your previous work experience prepared you for this role?
• What are your salary requirements? (Feel free to state a range.)