Big Bear Retreat Center

General Manager

Big Bear, CA - Full Time

General Information

Title: General Manager

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Reports To: Founders

Compensation: $125,000–$165,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Location: Big Bear, California

Position Summary

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is seeking an inspiring and experienced General Manager to lead the strategic and operational success of the organization. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring excellence across all areas of the retreat center—delivering transformative guest experiences, maintaining financial sustainability, and fostering a thriving, mission-aligned organization.

Working closely with the co-founders and leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in advancing BBRC's vision of accessibility, healing, and transformation. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to shape the future of a renowned retreat center nestled in the serene beauty of the San Bernardino Mountains.

About Big Bear Retreat Center

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is a retreat destination located on approximately 100 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest, bordering an additional 800 acres of protected forest. Founded in 2018, BBRC was envisioned as a Southern California destination for residential meditation retreats.

While silent meditation retreats remain our primary offering, our mission also includes providing retreat space for mission-aligned organizations and making retreats accessible to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience them.

BBRC hosts meditation, dharma, and respite retreats, along with retreats for nonprofit organizations and other mission-aligned groups. We have partnered to offer inclusive retreats, including the first residential transgender and gender expansive retreat, Spanish-language retreats, Black Women's retreats, retreats for teens of color, and many others.

Located just 2.5 hours from Los Angeles at 7,000 feet elevation, BBRC offers a peaceful mountain setting with four distinct seasons near Big Bear Lake.

Mission

Big Bear Retreat Center is a residential retreat center that provides space for mindfulness, respite, and healing to foster individual and collective transformation and illuminate our connection with nature, one another, and society.

Vision

Big Bear Retreat Center provides quality hospitality and care in a beautiful natural setting to foster connection, build community, and shape positive social change. We engage across worldviews, practices, and backgrounds to cultivate generations of leaders and changemakers who promote greater compassion, equity, and justice in the world—one retreatant at a time.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Guide the retreat center's long-term strategy by leading operations, finance, guest services, programs, and facilities to ensure a thriving, mission-aligned organization.

Operational Leadership

Ensure smooth and effective operations across all functions. Partner closely with the Programs Director to support seamless retreat delivery and exceptional guest experiences.

Financial Management

Drive financial sustainability through budgeting, forecasting, revenue growth, expense management, and resource optimization in partnership with leadership and the accounting team.

Stakeholder Relations

Represent BBRC with community members, partners, donors, and stakeholders while cultivating relationships that strengthen the organization's long-term success.

Leadership & Team Development

Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of staff and volunteers while fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

Program Oversight

Provide oversight of the Programs Department to ensure retreats and events are mission-aligned, well executed, and continuously improving.

Emergency Communication & Risk Response

Maintain effective systems for 24/7 emergency communications, on-call coverage, crisis response, and cross-functional coordination to protect guests and staff.

Guest Experience

Oversee accommodations, guest services, dining, and hospitality to ensure an exceptional retreat experience.

Facilities & Property Management

Oversee maintenance, cleanliness, safety, and regulatory compliance across all facilities, grounds, and company-owned housing to ensure a welcoming, functional environment.

Community Engagement

Build strong relationships with neighbors, local organizations, and community partners while positioning BBRC as a valued member of the community.

Qualifications

Required

  • Experience leading an overnight retreat center, resort, hotel, or similar hospitality operation with responsibility for operations, guest services, housekeeping, dining, facilities, staffing, and financial oversight.
  • Strong alignment with BBRC's mission and belief in the power of mindfulness, healing, and community.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize effectively, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Proven leadership experience building, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Slack, and retreat or hotel management software (Retreat Guru preferred).
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Preferred

  • 8+ years of senior leadership experience in hospitality, wellness, retreat, or nonprofit organizations.
  • Experience leading strategic planning, business development, and organizational operations.
  • Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
  • Experience using technology to improve operations and organizational reach.
  • Ability to successfully lead organizations through growth and change.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, onsite leadership position based in Big Bear, California. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed is required.

Flexibility

BBRC functions best when all staff work toward our shared mission. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Duties may change or new responsibilities may be assigned at any time based on organizational needs.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the physical abilities typically associated with general office work.

Benefits

  • Consideration of subsidized employee housing
  • 14 days of paid time off during the first year
  • 10 days of paid sick leave annually
  • Healthcare reimbursement account
  • Monthly wellness stipend
  • Monthly technology stipend
  • Annual retreat participation

Equal Opportunity Employer

Big Bear Retreat Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive for equity, celebrate diversity, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

Qualified candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are especially encouraged to apply.

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BBRC is deeply mission-driven. How does our mission of mindfulness, healing, accessibility, and social impact align with your personal values and professional experience?*
What excites you most about the General Manager role at BBRC?*
How many years of leadership experience and budget oversight do you have?*
How would you describe your leadership style? Please share an example of how you have successfully led a team through a significant challenge or period of change.*
Please describe the largest operation, team size, and annual budget you have directly overseen. How did you build accountability while maintaining trust and strong relationships?*
Describe your experience leading an overnight hospitality, retreat, conference, hotel, camp, or similar operation. What aspects of the operation were you directly responsible for?*
Please describe your experience creating and managing organizational budgets. What financial outcomes were you responsible for achieving?*
BBRC balances mission impact with financial sustainability. Please share an example of a time you had to balance organizational values with financial realities.*
Please describe a significant operational crisis, emergency, or unexpected incident you managed. What was your role and what did you learn?*
BBRC is committed to creating an inclusive environment for staff, teachers, retreat leaders, and guests from diverse backgrounds. How have you helped foster inclusion and belonging in previous organizations?*
What interests you about working in an onsite leadership role within a residential retreat center community?*
Are you currently located in Big Bear region or are you willing to relocate for this role? **
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Big Bear Retreat Center collects personal information from you when you apply for a position with us. This information may include your name, contact details, employment history, education, and other information relevant to your qualifications. We may also collect sensitive personal information such as demographic data if voluntarily provided.

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Your information may be stored in our applicant tracking system (JazzHR) and shared internally with hiring decision-makers. We do not sell your personal information.

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By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of your information as described above.
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