After three deeply fulfilling years as Executive Director of Thubten Norbu Ling, I have made the decision to step down and welcome new leadership into this role. Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life and I leave with a heart full of gratitude for everything we have built together. I am genuinely excited about this next chapter for the center, and I hope you will join us in finding the right person to carry this beautiful work forward.

— Nina Highfill, Executive Director

Executive Director of The Buddhist Center

Open Position

Position Overview

Established in 2000  in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, the Buddhist Center Thubten Norbu Ling’s (“The Buddhist Center’s”) vision is to benefit every being on the planet by enabling them to discover and follow their spiritual path, to increase their understanding, joy, and capacity to help others.  We do so by building bridges between the authentic Tibetan Buddhist tradition and Western culture, by using modern, innovative ways and technology to communicate Dharma and to reach people of all ages and backgrounds globally.  

Our center is affiliated with The Foundation for The Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (“FPMT”),  a nonprofit Gelug Buddhist organization founded by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. There are currently over 130 FPMT-affiliated centers, projects, study groups, and services around the world.

Our Executive Director (Center Director)  serves as the chief executive of The Buddhist Center, providing visionary leadership and day-to-day management to advance the center’s mission. The director works in close partnership with the Board of Directors (“the Board”) and a dedicated team of over 20 volunteers, as well as with the center community, benefactors, stakeholders and FPMT globally. 

Primary Responsibilities

1.  Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the primary executive responsible for The Buddhist Center’s mission, financial health, and organizational culture.
• In partnership with the Board, develop and implement a multi-year strategic plan aligned with FPMT’s Five Pillars and the center’s local vision.
• Represent The Buddhist Center to FPMT Inc. and the broader FPMT network.
• Develop, uphold  and implement center policies, including Ethical Policy and safeguarding standards.

2.  Community & Dharma Environment

• Foster a warm, inclusive, harmonious and spiritually rich environment consistent with the Buddha’s teachings and the lineage of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
• Support and collaborate with the resident teacher and our Spiritual Program Coordinator (“ SPC”) to nurture the spiritual program.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with members, benefactors, volunteers, and the wider community.

3.  Staff & Volunteer Management

• Recruit, develop, and inspire a team of volunteers as well as The Buddhist Center’s resident teacher.
• Ensure sufficient and well-supported human resources to meet all operational needs.
• Maintain a climate of harmony, mutual respect, and purposeful service.

4.  Operations & Facilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the center, including scheduling, facilities management, and volunteer coordination.
• Oversee the maintenance of  The Buddhist Center’s physical space and the teacher house.
• Oversee the center’s technology infrastructure in collaboration with the Technology Team.

5.  Finance & Fundraising

• Work with the Board and Treasurer to prepare and monitor the annual budget.
• Ensure financial sustainability, transparency, and compliance with nonprofit requirements.
• Oversee and develop donor stewardship, membership programs, fundraising campaigns and revenue-generating activities.

6.  Communications & Outreach

• Oversee The Buddhist Center’s external communications including social media and community outreach.
• Build strategic partnerships with interfaith organizations, educational institutions, and community groups in Santa Fe and beyond.
• Represent The Buddhist Center at public events, interfaith forums, and in the media.
• Communicate The Buddhist Center’s vision compellingly to donors, sponsors, and the broader community.

Qualifications

Essential

• Active Buddhist practitioner, ideally with familiarity with the FPMT organization; deep respect for the teachings of Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience in a business, nonprofit, religious, or educational organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build community, inspire volunteers, and work collaboratively with a Board, teachers, and diverse stakeholders.
• Financial literacy: experience with budgeting, financial reporting, and resource stewardship.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to reside locally in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area (on-site or nearby presence is essential to the role).
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder). Visa sponsorship is not available.

Preferred

• Prior experience as director or in senior leadership of an FPMT or other Tibetan Buddhist center.
• Fundraising experience including major donor relations, grants, and membership programs.
• Experience with hybrid event technology (Zoom, video streaming, AV systems).
• Familiarity with website management, newsletters, and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of or connection to the Santa Fe spiritual and nonprofit community.

How to Apply

Please send the following to the The Buddhist Center Board of Directors at director@tnlsf.org by May 3, 2026:

• A cover letter describing your connection to The Buddhist Center and the FPMT,  your leadership experience, and why you are drawn to this role.
• A current CV or résumé.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submission. 

Questions may be directed to Nina Highfill, director@tnlsf.org.

The Buddhist Center Thubten Norbu Ling is an equal opportunity organization. Everyone is welcome.