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Esalen Institute

Experiential education and personal transformation workshops

Program Coordinator and Facilitator

Full-Time
$52k - $72k/yr
Junior, Mid
Big Sur, CA, USA
In PersonOn-site residential housing is available for a fee.
Administrative & Executive Assistance

About the job

Requirements
  • Minimum 2–4 years of experience in program coordination, retreat or education support, or administrative operations.
  • Experience teaching or facilitating trauma-informed group practices such as yoga, movement, creative expression, mindfulness, or related fields.
  • Deep familiarity with Esalen’s mission, ideally with lived experience on the land as a staff member, workshop participant, or guest.
  • Comfort using AI-enabled tools such as Superhuman, Notion, Motion, ChatGPT, and Canva, as well as Asana, Airtable, Google Workspace, Zapier, and Slack.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with a high level of interpersonal intelligence.
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, especially with schedules, logistics, and internal communication.
  • Ability to recognize aesthetic alignment and support the creation of visually clear, attractive internal and guest-facing materials.
  • Ability to hold structure within a dynamic and evolving environment with agility, openness, and grace.
  • Ability to maneuver on uneven ground, sit for long periods, occasionally carry and lift up to 25 pounds, and perform daily repetitive hand motions related to computer mouse and keyboard use.
Responsibilities
  • Coordinate and publish the weekly Self-Guided Explorations calendar.
  • Manage scheduling with Esalen’s rotating team of facilitators, including tracking availability, confirming assignments, and managing callouts or substitutions.
  • Serve as the main liaison with Guest Services and other departments on schedule-related updates.
  • Prepare and print physical and digital weekly schedules and submit content for the website, signage, and email updates.
  • Communicate regularly with facilitators to confirm logistics and deliverables.
  • Collect, track, and submit invoices for approval and payment.
  • Maintain facilitator rosters, contracts, and onboarding documentation.
  • Help onboard new facilitators and manage orientation materials.
  • Coordinate scheduling, housing, and communication for Teachers-in-Residence.
  • Collect bios, headshots, and other assets for Teachers-in-Residence and the Wednesday Evening Program.
  • Serve as a point of contact for guest teachers, ensuring they are welcomed and supported.
  • Liaise with Guest Services, the production team, and other teams to ensure smooth delivery.
  • Create, hold, and facilitate Self-Guided classes, orientations, and experiences across modalities, including embodiment, creativity, relational exploration, outdoor experiences, and guest orientation.
  • Partner on the creation and refinement of relevant standard operating procedures.
  • Support long-term growth initiatives and help operationalize new offerings.
  • Track special projects, experiments, and development milestones.
  • Track attendance, collect guest feedback, and maintain other relevant metrics.
  • Maintain program records and reports to support the Director of Product in making informed, data-driven decisions.
  • Help maintain and organize the content management system for Self-Guided program materials.
  • Organize and update bios, schedules, and written assets for the web.
  • Assist with printed and digital asset creation and light content development.
  • Provide light production support for Self-Guided classes and events.
  • Coordinate room use and flow with Production and Front Desk teams.
  • Assist with planning and execution of pop-up events or special activations under the Self-Guided program.
Desired Qualifications
  • Deep familiarity with Esalen’s mission, ideally with lived experience on the land as a staff member, workshop participant, or guest.

About the company

Esalen Institute runs a nonprofit center that fosters human potential through experiential education and research. It sponsors and hosts workshops and residential programs that guide personal, spiritual, and social transformation for participants and staff, using a mix of experiential practices, seminars, and collaborative research. Programs are delivered through immersive experiences at its Big Sur campus, with about 12,000 visitors annually. That combination of experiential learning, spirituality-focused practices, and a retreat model differentiates Esalen from traditional academic or wellness centers, along with its long-standing history and emphasis on community living during programs. The organization aims to contribute to a more just, creative, and sustainable world by developing people’s capacities and sharing transformative methods.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Big Sur, California

Founded

1962

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • October 2026 workshop calendar is full, showing sustained demand for paid retreats.
  • September 2026 newsletters and new faculty announcements signal active programming momentum.
  • The June 2026 updated press page shows Esalen reopening after closures and operating again.

What critics are saying

  • August 2026 Timber Fire evacuated Esalen and closed the campus immediately.
  • Highway 1 closures north and south repeatedly cut off Big Sur access in 2026.
  • A prolonged wildfire, landslide, or road shutdown destroys occupancy and cash flow.

What makes Esalen Institute unique

  • Esalen owns a rare Big Sur campus on Highway 1, impossible to replicate.
  • Its 2026 program mix spans AI, mindfulness, conflict, ritual, and bodywork.
  • Donor-funded scholarships keep a 501(c)(3) experiential retreat accessible to broader audiences.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Meal Benefits
  • Professional Development Budget