The Krishnamurti Center is at an important juncture in the Foundation’s journey. A new Executive Director (ED)of the KFA and commenced in this role in January this year following an international search. This appointment created a vacancy in the Center Director position. This major organizational transition offers opportunity to assess current programming and processes and reaffirm how the Center can uphold a vibrant, responsive, and mission-aligned presence in the world while maintaining relevance, accessibility, and innovation in the work of disseminating Krishnamurti’s teachings and educating those wishing to investigate the significance of life.
Key areas of focus for the KFA this year include:
• Preserving the authenticity and integrity of Krishnamurti’s teachings in a rapidly changing world.
• Expanding access and engagement through the Center's offerings
• Strengthening staff engagement and enriching organizational culture and institutional resilience.
• Building long-term financial sustainability.
We are seeking a reflective and capable individual to serve as its next Center Director. It is a unique opportunity to engage in both strategic and operational leadership. This key position leads and oversees all aspects of day-to-day operations including program implementation, facilities management, grounds maintenance, hospitality services, and community engagement. The Center Director serves as a key link between approximately 15 full-time staff and leadership. In close partnership with the Executive Director, the Center Director implements programming and manages budgets and systems in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities while ensuring the Center serves as an authentic space for inquiry and transformation consistent with Krishnamurti's teachings
Key Qualifications The ideal candidate will demonstrate strengths across five core domains:
1. Mission Alignment
• Deep understanding and appreciation of Krishnamurti’s work, without assuming interpretive authority.
• Capacity to preserve the integrity of the Foundation’s purpose while remaining responsive to a changing world.
2. Leadership and Judgment
• Demonstrated ability to lead with clarity, discernment, and steadiness— especially in complex or evolving circumstances.
• Sound judgment and integrity in decision-making, grounded in an ethos of service. • Delegates appropriately and promotes distributed leadership.
• Actively seeks and is receptive to feedback—particularly critical feedback—and is committed to reflective learning.
3. Communication and Relationships
• Articulate and measured communicator, attentive to tone and meaning in both writing and conversation.
• Highly skilled in listening with attention and engaging effectively across diverse perspectives.
• Builds and sustains trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders—including trustees, staff, donors, and international partners.
4. Organizational Sensibility
• Strong strategic and operational thinking—able to connect vision to practical execution.
• Sensitive to interpersonal and institutional dynamics; able to promote a collaborative and supportive culture.
• Supports clear roles and expectations; fosters shared accountability.
5. Adaptability and Innovation
• Embraces the role of technology and digital platforms in enhancing impact. Core Competencies
• Leadership & Accountability – Follows through and helps others do the same
• Collaboration – Works effectively across roles and functions
• Adaptability – Capable of managing evolving priorities with established resources
• Equity & Inclusion – Demonstrates cultural humility and inclusive practices
• Problem-Solving – Identifies issues and develops practical solutions Demonstrated experience
• Working in a management role in a small nonprofit where multi-tasking is the norm
• Balancing innovation with fidelity to the organization's core purposes
• Overseeing staff and leading teams
• Developing and managing budgets
• Fluidity with online platforms including Salesforce, Basecamp, Google Suite, WordPress
• Building relationship and fostering an inclusive environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
3 Key Responsibilities
1. STAFF LEADERSHIP, TEAM DEVELOPMENT, & DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION (30%) Staff Oversight & Team Development
• Direct, coach, and evaluate staff
• Set clear performance expectations and support professional development
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture
• Support hiring, onboarding, and training Department Oversight & Coordination: Oversee and coordinate operations of multiple center-related departments:
• Retreat Operations (Key relationship(s): Retreat Manager) - Guest services, hospitality, reservations, room operations
• Pine Cottage/Library (Key relationship(s): Librarians) Visitor services, content curation, dialogues • Campus Maintenance (Key Relationship(s): Grounds Manager) - Facilities maintenance, landscape, properties management teams
• Resident Scholars (Key Relationship(s): Program coordinator
2. Plan and lead implementation of programs & activities (30%)
• In concert with the Executive Director, identify educational offerings, develop learning objectives, design curriculum.
• Guide facilitator development and participant experience design.
• Oversee all center-based programming including personal study retreats, in-depth study programs, weekend dialogues, book clubs, and specialized offerings.
• Ensure programs reflect inquiry-based approach consistent with Krishnamurti's teachings.
• Ensure programs meet goals, timelines, and quality standards
• Identify opportunities for improvement, growth, and partnerships.
3. Operations & Systems Management (15%)
• Develop and maintain efficient workflows and procedures among department staff.
• Oversee data tracking, reporting systems, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and relevant regulations.
• Coordinate communication across departments to ensure smooth operations.
4. Communication & Collaboration (15%)
• Serve as liaison between staff and leadership.
• Represent the organization with partners, vendors, and community stakeholders.
• Contribute to organizational planning and cross-team initiatives.
5. Budget & Resource Management (10%)
• In concert with department heads, develop and manage program and departmental budgets.
• Monitor expenses and ensure alignment with budgeted revenues and expenditures.
• Investigate budget variances, identify and implement mitigating solutions.
About the culture Those who thrive in this organization combine competence and humility, hold structure without rigidity, embrace curiosity, understanding that genuine inquiry into others requires ongoing inquiry into oneself. We aspire to collaborating, engaging in direct, honest dialogue. We work hard and understand that sometimes we must contribute beyond our job descriptions because our work is meaningful.
Compensation & Benefits
• Salary range: $ 70,000 – $80,000 annually
• Full health care package
How to apply for this position: If you are enthused about serving in this role and feel you are qualified for the position, please email the following materials to search@kfa.org using the words "Center Director" in the subject line:
• Cover letter outlining interest in the position and your relevant experience in relation to the responsibilities and qualities described above.
• Current resume or CV.
• Short essay (max 500 words), written entirely in your own words, without the use of technological assistance, conveying your own understanding of the core tenets of Krishnamurti’s teachings, as you would explain them to someone unfamiliar with his work. Include your reflections on how your leadership style aligns with the teachings.
The Krishnamurti Foundation of America is located in Ojai, California. It was founded in 1969 by Jiddu Krishnamurti, who lived from 1895 to 1986, and is regarded as one of the greatest philosophical and spiritual figures of the twentieth century. There are also Krishnamurti foundations in England (Krishnamurti Foundation Trust); India (Krishnamurti Foundation India); Canada (Krishnamurti Educational Centre); and Spain (the Fundacion Krishnamurti Latinoamericana).
Krishnamurti’s lifetime body of work spans more than 60 years. The mission of the KFA is to preserve and disseminate his teachings, which it does through a variety of different programs. These include the operation of a publishing division (books, CDs, DVDs, audio/video tapes, and increasingly downloadable text, audio and video), the operation of Oak Grove School (pre-K through 12) in Ojai, California, residential seminars exploring topics in the teachings through interpersonal dialogues, and the opportunity to use the KFA’s retreat and library facility for contemplation and study.
The activities of the KFA are varied, but basically fall into two categories: disseminating the actual teachings of Krishnamurti; and providing contemporary programs that explore the implication of the teachings in every day life.
The Krishnamurti Foundation of America (KFA) is a non-profit organization, it is a Trust with a 501(c)(3) tax exemption status. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Our tax ID 23-7018406.