Kripalu Programs Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY  

If you're energized by complexity, passionate about making systems work smarter, and ready to lead through collaboration, this role is for you. The Kripalu Programs Specialist is a unique opportunity to fuse your tech skills, strategic thinking, and love of teamwork to improve operational systems and directly support personal and collective transformation.  

The Kripalu Programs Specialist is a key operational leader, responsible for supporting the management of the day-to-day business of Kripalu’s R&R Retreats and Kripalu Experience Programs (KEP)—two of the organization’s signature offerings. This position is ideal for someone with strong systems thinking and tech skills, able to navigate complexity, anticipate ripple effects, and identify opportunities for greater efficiency and clarity. 

Working closely with the department Manager, the Specialist supports scheduling, operations, payroll, and the evolving needs of a large, diverse faculty body (70+ teachers), always prioritizing an exceptional guest experience. Sitting at the center of interdepartmental collaboration, this role requires the ability to understand and translate between varied workflows and ensure accurate, timely information-sharing across teams. 

The Specialist must be fluent in multiple operational applications—such as scheduling platforms, payroll systems, and communication tools—and move between them with precision. This role calls for discernment in spotting patterns, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies, and taking initiative to improve and document systems, policies, and protocols for clearer communication and smoother delivery. 

Aligned with Kripalu’s mission and values, the Specialist works with the department Manager to guide weekly and daily priorities for the R&R Coordinators and supports continuous improvements to program operations. This role is ideal for someone with operational savvy, strategic foresight, and a collaborative spirit who thrives in a mission-driven environment. 

SCHEDULE: Sunday-Thursday 

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

Operational Leadership & Program Execution 

• Supports the creation, formatting, proofing, and updating of department program schedules and whole-house activities 

• Maintains accuracy of faculty schedules in PayCom and other scheduling platforms 

• Oversees availability and workshop databases to ensure timely, accurate data for schedule planning 

• Ensures accurate and timely payroll processing that supports staff satisfaction, compliance, and smooth operations 

• Supports daily and weekly prioritization for R&R Coordinators in collaboration with the department Manager 

Systems Management & Process Improvement 

• Identifies and addresses operational inefficiencies by recommending and implementing system improvements 

• Monitors and troubleshoots system interactions between scheduling, payroll, and communication tools to ensure operational continuity 

• Documents and refines internal processes to improve clarity, efficiency, and cross-team coordination 

• Creates and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); assists in communicating processes to faculty and ensuring compliance 

Faculty Coordination & Support 

• Assists in the coordination and support of department faculty, including onboarding and communication 

• Maintains and updates faculty capability and certification records in PayCom 

• Coordinates annual outdoor faculty training in partnership with the Director of Outdoor Education 

Cross-Departmental Communication & Collaboration 

• Translates and communicates operational needs across departments to support seamless interdepartmental collaboration 

• Serves as primary liaison with Operations to coordinate timely, effective program delivery 

• Collaborates daily with Guest Services and Production Support to ensure accurate guest information and smooth program execution 

Team Participation & Adaptive Support 

• Participates in weekly and bi-weekly departmental and cross-functional meetings 

• Provides cross-functional backup support and contributes to a collaborative, agile team culture 

• Performs additional duties as