Director of Engineering at LightEn

About LightEn US and the LightEn Center of Consciousness & Action

The LightEn Center of Consciousness & Action (LCCA) is a brand-new, state-of-the-art 500 -acre retreat center in the Blue Ridge mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina, set to open in early 2025. The LCCA will serve as a soul-focused sanctuary and learning center for individual and collective growth, exploration and transformation, focused on catalyzing the evolution of consciousness needed to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. The Center will host current and emerging global leaders to cultivate and deepen the inner work needed to be more effective change agents in the world. The LCCA is the home of LightEn US, which is part of the overall LightEn network and is fully funded by UK-based philanthropists Sir Christopher Hohn and Lady Kylie Hohn, PhD.

Summary of the Role and Opportunity

This Director of Engineering (DoE) role represents an exceptional opportunity for an enterprising, energetic, and guest-oriented professional to join LightEn US in its start-up phase. Because LightEn’s team is collectively working to deliver on an ambitious and world-changing mission, the work is far more rewarding than one might experience in a purely profit-driven enterprise. Further, as nothing like this exists anywhere else, the project is truly unique, and is led by extraordinary owners and founders, translating into an tremendously positive ownership culture.

The LCCA is located in Marshall, NC, approximately 30-min north of Asheville. Within the 500 -acre property, the physical LCCA campus comprises approximately 125 structures (existing planned), sprawling over nearly 100 acres. The campus features two teaching centers, an 8000 sq ft spa, a fitness center, auditorium, event hall, reception building, administrative building, and a horticultural complex. Additional structures include cafeterias and dining halls, laundry facilities, common spaces, and numerous cabins and staff houses.

Currently, there are four LightEn US employees (including the Executive Director and General Manager), with forecasts to grow to 70-80 employees by early 2025. The DoE will report directly to the General Manager, manage a team consisting of a maintenance manager and maintenance engineers, and consult with other department leads and staff as required. In addition to the engineering competencies outlined below, the right candidate will have deep humility; a hard-working mindset; an ability to lead from a place of inclusiveness, kindness and service; and have respect for those engaging in LightEn’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Building

• Lead and manage the daily activities of the maintenance department and maintain accountability for the team’s performance
• Mentor, train and develop all maintenance team members in each of their respective fields; foster professional development and cross-training within the department
• Lead daily departmental team meetings and attend other meetings as appropriate
• Communicate daily with the General Manager for updates regarding planning, staffing, and operational priorities

Maintenance Management

• Perform walk through/visual inspections of all property assets to determine condition, establish maintenance priorities, and highlight areas for improvement
• Ensure the proper functioning of all solar, wastewater treatment and geothermal utilities
• Ensure timely completion of all work orders and preventative maintenance, balancing operational, administrative and guest requirements
• Ensure the proper organization of tools, supplies, and maintenance storerooms
• Oversee activities of all outside contractors performing maintenance/repair/servicing
• Manage the engineering budget, including the monitoring of overtime, labor costs and departmental expenses

Guest Service and Culture Building

• Lead in the ongoing cultivation of a service-oriented operational ethic
• Resolve guest requests/concerns with rapidity and minimal disruption, providing interactions supportive of an exceptional guest experience
• Collaborate with the general manager and other department leads to create and sustain internal conditions for the achievement of the organization's values-based objectives
• Make decisions from a culture of inclusiveness, kindness and consideration to all team members, guests, speakers and instructors

Qualifications

LightEn welcomes expressions of interest from candidates with the expertise and ability to deliver against the above responsibilities, and has identified the following characteristics as indicative of the abilities, aptitudes, and dispositions that will make for success in this role:

• Prior experience as an engineering/maintenance department head, or similar
• Experience managing a team of at least 3-5 direct reports and multiple contractor relationships, accountable for performance and development
• Experience with engineering/maintenance in a multi-structure or campus-type facility, ideally with a guest/customer orientation
• Experience with maintenance of central process utility systems
• Experience managing a budget
• Energetic demeanor, with a penchant for hands-on execution
• Appetite for working in a start-up/rapid-growth environment
• Respect for and comfort with LightEn's mission and approach
• Consideration will be given to candidates with transferable skills and demonstrating comparable qualifications

Compensation

The expected salary range for this role is $115,000 - $135,000 annually. LightEn offers comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision and dental insurance; paid vacation and holidays; family leave; and retirement plan. A final compensation package will be created in contemplation of the above factors, as well as the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities of the successful candidate.

How to Apply

LightEn has retained OE Consulting to support this search. Please refrain from contacting LightEn directly about this opportunity, and direct any questions to OE Consulting at (LightEn-DOE@oeconsulting.com).

In order to apply, please submit a CV and thoughtful cover letter that explains your interest and addresses your relevant qualifications. Applicants may expect an email from OE Consulting confirming receipt.

LightEn is an equal opportunity employer, and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and affinities.