About Drala Mountain Center
For more than fifty years, Drala Mountain Center has been a place where people come to slow down, reconnect, and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world. Nestled on 600 acres of protected mountain land in northern Colorado, Drala serves thousands of guests each year through meditation retreats, educational programs, leadership gatherings, and personal retreats.
We believe that environments matter. Beautiful landscapes, thoughtful hospitality, meaningful conversation, and intentional silence create the conditions for transformation. Our mission is to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and genuine human flourishing by offering places where individuals and communities can step away from the demands of everyday life and reconnect with what matters most.
Position Summary
The Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development is responsible for expanding Drala Mountain Center’s reach by creating new sources of earned revenue while cultivating philanthropic support that advances the organization’s long-term sustainability. This leader develops strategic partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations,
corporations, foundations, and community groups seeking retreat experiences, while also helping build a culture of philanthropy through donor cultivation, fundraising initiatives, and relationship management. The ideal candidate is a natural connector who enjoys meeting people, identifying opportunities, and building authentic relationships that grow over time. Rather than simply promoting a retreat center, they invite organizations and supporters into a mission that transforms individuals, communities, and future generations.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Business Partnerships
● Develop strategic partnerships with colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations,
corporations, and mission-aligned businesses.
● Cultivate retreat opportunities for leadership programs, executive teams, academic
cohorts, wellness organizations, and educational programs.
● Identify new markets and revenue opportunities aligned with Drala’s mission.
● Generate proposals, negotiate agreements, and oversee contracts using Drala’s CRM
and reservation systems.
● Build and maintain an active pipeline of partnership opportunities.
● Collaborate across departments to ensure exceptional client experiences.
Development & Fundraising
● Cultivate and steward individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
● Help identify and qualify prospective major donors.
● Support annual fundraising campaigns, donor events, sponsorships, and special initiatives.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director and Development team on donor strategy.
● Maintain accurate donor records within CRM systems.
● Represent Drala with authenticity and professionalism.
Organizational Leadership
● Serve as an ambassador for Drala Mountain Center.
● Strengthen financial sustainability and community impact through strategic relationships.
● Monitor partnership and revenue goals.
● Contribute to long-term organizational strategy.
Qualifications
● Five or more years of experience in business development, fundraising, nonprofit
development, higher education outreach, hospitality, sales, or a related field.
● Exceptional networking and relationship-building skills.
● Demonstrated success generating new revenue and cultivating long-term partnerships.
● Strong communication, organization, and project management skills.
● Experience with CRM systems.
● Appreciation for Drala Mountain Center’s mission and contemplative environment.
Compensation
Competitive salary plus performance incentives based on mutually established revenue and development goals. Benefits include paid time off, health benefits, retirement participation, and the
opportunity to work within one of North America’s leading contemplative retreat centers. (70k annually, plus commission)
Why This Role Matters
The future of Drala depends upon both meaningful partnerships and generous supporters. Every organization that discovers Drala through a retreat, every donor who invests in its mission, and every relationship nurtured through this position helps ensure that this extraordinary place continues serving future generations.
The Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development is not simply growing revenue—they are expanding a community dedicated to wisdom, compassion, and human flourishing.