Program Coordinator

About the institute

The Lotus Institute is an educational non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Dr. Larry Ward and Dr. Peggy Rowe Ward, two of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s senior Dharma teachers. We offer teachings, practice and guidance that nurture a healthy and resilient body, mind and society.

Together with our teaching team, we blend Buddhist practices with trauma-informed teachings and research in neuroscience and psychology. Our programs focus on rediscovering our kinship with nature and one another, accelerating our embodied awakening, connecting people of diverse backgrounds and building relationships between people who care about the future.

The Lotus team is committed to practicing understanding, compassion and insight in our own lives as well as in our work together. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “your thoughts, speech and actions bear your signature.” We are mindful that we offer our quality of presence along with Lotus’ programs and community gatherings; together we create a supportive and collaborative culture that honors each team member’s contributions.

About the position

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to support the planning, execution, and administration of events and programs, including the online courses Midnight Path and Anam Cara, our primary focus areas for 2025. The ideal candidate will excel at multitasking, have strong organizational skills, embody equanimity and flexibility, and be comfortable working collaboratively on a small non-hierarchical team.

We are a non-hierarchical organization, so the Coordinator will work closely with the Program Directors and support the Executive Director and Director of Education.

Responsibilities

Event and Program Coordination

• Provide technical support for virtual events, including managing the Zoom room and audience and acting as an event host for select events.
• Assist with all event logistics, including technical setup, scheduling, and communication with stakeholders.
• Support the implementation and management of online courses Midnight Path and Anam Cara.

Administrative and financial support

• Perform bookkeeping tasks, including reconciliation, managing payments, reimbursements, and discount codes.
• Track and manage budgets, ensuring accurate reporting and allocation of resources.
• Update organizational calendars with key dates, events, and deadlines.
• Assist executive directors with event preparation and meeting coordination.

Desired skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in administration, operations or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in administration, operations, communications and/or event management
• Strong organizational skills with mindful attention to detail
• Familiar with general personnel practices, accounting and budgeting principles
• Comfortable speaking publicly and engaging with diverse audiences
• Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Experience supporting online events and/or online courses preferred
• Familiar with Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, QuickBooks, Squarespace and comfortable learning new applications
• Takes initiative, brings new ideas, and does not need close supervision
• Eager to learn and solve problems through inquiry, with an appreciation for diversity of thought; coordinates across functions with a multicultural perspective

Work schedule and compensation

This is a part-time consultancy with a flexible weekly schedule, typically ranging from 10 to 15 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Hours may vary depending on project needs and workload. The hourly rate is USD $27 per hour. This is a remote position.

To apply, please send the following to support@thelotusinstitute.org:

• Your resume
• A cover letter expressing your interest and what you would bring to the role. In the letter, please share what interests you about The Lotus Institute’s work and mission.
• The names and contact information of two references.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We hope to have this position filled and training to begin by March 2025.