General Manager

General Information

Title: General Manager

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt 

Reports to: Founders

Wage: $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. 

BBRC Overview

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is a retreat destination located on +/-100 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest - and bordering 800 acres of protected forest. Founded in 2018, BBRC was envisioned as a Southern California meditation residential retreat destination. Our main offerings continue to be silent meditation retreats, but part of BBRC’s mission also includes providing retreat space for other groups, with a focus on being an accessible center to people who may not otherwise experience retreats.

BBRC offers meditation, dharma, and respite retreats, as well as non-meditation retreats for other mission aligned organizations and individuals. BBRC has collaborated with partners to provide inclusive meditation retreats including the first residential transgender and gender expansive retreat, Spanish language retreat, Black Women’s retreat, teens of color retreat, and more. Big Bear Retreat Center has also partnered with or hosted non-profit and social justice organizations across Southern California. 

Big Bear Retreat Center is located a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles, nestled in the ancient Juniper forests of the San Bernardino Mountains at a 7,000-foot elevation (four mountain seasons) near the town of Big Bear Lake.

BBRC 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. 

BBRC 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 world views, practices, and backgrounds to cultivate generations of leaders and change makers that promote greater compassion, equity, and justice in the world. One retreatant at a time.

Role and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:
Guide the retreat center’s long-term strategy by leading all core departments, including operations, finance, guest services, programs and facilities, to achieve BBRC’s mission and ensure a thriving, mission-aligned organization.

Operational Coordination:
Ensure smooth and effective operations across all functions of the retreat center. Collaborate closely with the Programs Director to support seamless program delivery, ensuring operational teams provide the necessary infrastructure and services for high-quality guest experiences.

Financial Management:
Drive financial sustainability by setting and achieving financial goals, including revenue growth and resource optimization. Lead budget planning, monitor expenses, and ensure accountability in collaboration with the leadership and accounting team.

Stakeholder Relations:
Act as a key representative of BBRC, cultivating strong relationships with community members, stakeholders, and partners. Work to expand partnerships that support the center’s offerings, visibility, and long-term success.

Leadership and Team Development:
Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of staff and volunteers. Create a supportive environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and a strong connection to BBRC’s mission and values.

Program Oversight:
Provide direct oversight of the Programs Department to ensure retreats and events are well-designed, mission-aligned, and smoothly executed. Collaborate with the Programs Director to refine offerings, build relationships with teachers and partners, and ensure programming reflects BBRC’s mission and vision.

Emergency Communication & Risk Response
Ensure BBRC has effective systems in place for 24/7 emergency communications, including clear protocols for on-call coverage, crisis response, and communication across departments. Maintain a calm, coordinated approach to unexpected incidents to protect guest and staff safety and well-being.

Guest Experience:
Ensure an outstanding guest experience by overseeing the quality of accommodations, guest services, and dining. Work proactively with teams to address the needs of retreat organizers, participants, and visitors to enhance every aspect of their stay.

Facility and Grounds Management:
Oversee the maintenance, cleanliness, and upkeep of all facilities, accommodations, and grounds to the highest standards of safety and aesthetics.Oversee and manage company-owned properties, including staff housing, by ensuring all buildings, grounds, and infrastructure are properly maintained, safe, functional, and aligned with organizational standards, while fostering a supportive environment for both employee well-being and operational success.Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, health codes, and permitting requirements.

Community Engagement:
Build and maintain positive relationships with neighbors and local organizations, positioning BBRC as a valued and integral part of the surrounding community.

 

Role Requirements

• Capability in leading and managing an overnight retreat center, resort, or hotel, with expertise in full operations, such as but not limited to guest services, housekeeping, dining services, facilities maintenance, staffing and financial oversight.

• Deep alignment with BBRC’s mission and purpose, with a personal belief in the power of mindfulness, connection, and healing.

• Ability to take initiative, prioritize effectively, generate innovative ideas, and implement improvements while maintaining focus on long-term goals and values.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire trust and confidence, recruit and develop talent, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with experience maintaining strong connections with stakeholders, partners, guests, and community members, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proficiency with Google Suite, QuickBooks, Slack, and retreat/hotel management software (preferably Retreat Guru), with a capacity to learn new platforms efficiently.

• Authentic passion and commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in both workplace culture and guest experiences.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• 8+ years of senior leadership experience in a hospitality, wellness, retreat or nonprofit environment.

• Proven ability to lead strategic planning, business development, and operational oversight.

• Strong communication and leadership skills, with experience to inspire and manage diverse teams.

• Solid understanding of financial management, budgeting, and  revenue growth strategies. 

• Experience in leveraging technology and digital platforms to expand  organizational reach. 

• Able to navigate and lead through change while balancing short-term  needs and long-term vision. 

Work Environment:

• The role requires you to work onsite. Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed. 

Flexibility:

• BBRC functions best when all staff work toward the common mission. With this in mind, this job description is not intended to cover or contain an all-encompassing listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice based on BBRC’s and your team’s needs.

Physical Requirements:

• All physical requirements for general office work apply to this position.

Benefits:

• Consideration of subsidized employee housing benefit as part of this year-round on-site leadership role.

• 14 days paid time off in first year; 10 days sick leave annually

• Healthcare reimbursement account access

• Monthly wellness stipend

• Monthly technology stipend

• Annual retreat participation

Big Bear Retreat Center is an equal opportunity employer. At BBRC we strive for equity, celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.