The Contemplative Sciences Center is seeking applicants for an Assistant Director of Dalai Lama Fellows. Dalai Lama Fellows (DLF) is a community of activists, organizers, and social innovators who are committed to making the world a better place for all through leadership that is wise, caring, and sustainable. Inspired by the principles of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this program brings together emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds to engage in social change projects that emphasize the integration of contemplative practices and ethical leadership. DLF embraces a “Head, Heart, and Hands” leadership model that holds self-awareness, emotional intelligence, compassion, and resilience to be necessary skills for responding to the complex challenges of the 21st Century.
DLF is housed within the University of Virginia’s Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC). The mission of CSC is combining contemplation, connection, and research to enhance flourishing. CSC pursues this mission through a variety of programs and initiatives in academic classrooms, residential life, research, scholarship, and social innovation.
DLF is seeking an Assistant Director to help carry out day-to-day management and event planning for the program.
Responsibilities include
Program Management:
Track program timelines, workflows, and budgets
Communicate regularly with fellows, prospective applicants, partners, and other stakeholders
Coordinate program evaluation and documentation efforts
Prepare and monitor learning management system for curriculum delivery
Support grant writing and reporting as well as other fundraising efforts
Event Planning and Delivery
Support planning and implementation of a yearly in-person gathering, the Contemplative Leadership Assembly
Coordinate contracts for space rentals, lodging, meals, ground transportation, etc.
Oversee booking of fellow’s international travel to the event as well as other transportation needs (i.e. airport shuttles, rental cars, etc.)
Support fellows’ travel visa acquisition
Track event budget and records
Candidate must be available July 10-16, 2025 for on-site event support in Garrison, New York
Recruitment, Selection, and Onboarding
Work with application hosting service to set up application portal
Carry out recruitment efforts through social media and email communications, updating website, and responding to application-related inquiries
Support fellowship selection process by reviewing applications and participating in candidate interviews and selection processes
Schedule candidate interviews and organize candidates’ application materials
Update onboarding documents and support onboarding processes for fellows
The Assistant Director will work closely with the Associate Director of Dalai Lama Fellows and will collaborate with other DLF and CSC staff for tasks involving finances, communications, advancement, and event planning. The Assistant Director will also participate in the wider work of CSC and its mission, including attendance at CSC staff meetings, engaging in strategic planning processes, and more.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree
Four Years experience
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in higher education administration, international affairs, event management, or related field.
One or more years of project management experience with a strong ability to coordinate complex tasks
One or more years of event planning experience with proven track record of leading, planning, and executing successful in-person event
Experience working with diverse populations is preferred, as most fellows come from outside of USA
Skills
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong orientation toward collaboration and teamwork
Cultural humility and the ability to skillfully interact across differences
This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Compensation and Benefits:
The hiring range for this position is $55,000-$65,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits.
Physical Demands and In-person/Remote Work Policies:
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job occasionally requires attendance for meetings, travel, and after hours work for special events.
Ideally, the candidate can work from the Contemplative Commons in Charlottesville, VA one to two days a week. We are building a close culture based on contemplative practices, many of which require an in-person presence. However, we understand that many need or prefer to be virtual and we will strive to find the appropriate balance for the right candidate.
The candidate must be available July 10-16, 2025 for on-site support of the Contemplative Leadership Assembly in Garrison, New York.
Application Process:
External applicants please apply through our job board at R0065457.
Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs', and then search 'R0065457'. Complete an application online with the following documents:
CV or Resume
Cover letter
Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.
For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, Recruiting Specialist, at jf2sw@virginia.edu
For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.