Title: Director of Product, Programs and Earned Revenue
Department: Programs
Reports to: COO
Location: Charlottesville, VA / Washington DC areas or remote
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: 80% (flexible 32-hour work week with 80% of full-time benefits)
Salary: $120,000-130,000 (80% of base salary)
Benefits: Hybrid in-person and remote; insurance includes 80% employer-paid employee health, dental, short-term and long-term disability, and 40% employer-paid dependent health and dental coverage; 403(b) plan, profit-sharing plan (employer contribution up to 5% annually); PTO starting at 160 hours per year, increasing each year thereafter; tuition reimbursement; and retreat/volunteer time off and reimbursement

To Apply: Submit your cover letter and résumé to jobs@mindandlife.org using subject line “Director of Product, Programs and Earned Revenue”

Position Summary

This role is responsible for developing, testing, and growing Mind & Life’s earned revenue opportunities by bringing new programs, events, and digital offerings to life. The Director works in a highly entrepreneurial, early-stage environment—helping to shape viable products, build engaged audiences, and design marketing and revenue strategies that can evolve over time.

This is a builder role, not a hand-off scaling role. Success will come from prototyping and piloting offerings, learning quickly from audiences, and refining products before investing in large-scale growth. The Director brings strength in marketing and digital strategy while also being willing to work hands-on to turn ideas into compelling, market-ready experiences.

The role collaborates closely with the Director of Research, Head of Events, and program leaders to ensure programs, events, and digital offerings are mission-aligned, market-responsive, and financially sustainable.

Duties and Responsibilities

Revenue Development & Experimentation
  • Develop and grow earned revenue across programs, events, and digital offerings through testing, iteration, and audience feedback
  • Design and pilot pricing strategies, tiered access models, and event or course packages, refining them based on performance and demand
  • Identify and pursue partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations that support both mission and financial sustainability
  • Assess which offerings demonstrate strong resonance and readiness for future scaling
Marketing, Audience Growth & Community Building
  • Lead marketing strategy to grow engaged national and international audiences across programs, events, and digital platforms
  • Design and manage audience funnels that prioritize email capture, community-building, conversion, and long-term engagement
  • Serve as the primary marketing and revenue lead for major events and convenings, including planned 2026 AI-focused events with Rinpoches and Jack Kornfield
  • Develop event marketing strategies with an earned-revenue lens, including pricing, registration, promotion, and post-event follow-up
  • Oversee integrated campaigns across email, social, partnerships, and paid media as appropriate
Product Development & Innovation (Early-Stage)
  • Lead early-stage development of new offerings, including online SRI programs and AI-related initiatives, from concept through pilot and refinement
  • Work hands-on to prototype, test, and iterate products and experiences before pursuing large-scale growth.
    Translate Mind & Life’s intellectual, contemplative, and research assets into accessible, compelling products and learning experiences
  • Evaluate product–market fit and determine when offerings are ready to grow into more scalable revenue streams
Media & Content Platforms
  • Oversee strategy for the Mind & Life podcast as a platform for audience growth, event promotion, community engagement, and earned-revenue experimentation
  • Integrate podcast content with broader marketing, program, and event strategies
Metrics & Accountability
  • Establish revenue targets, track KPIs, and report growth results directly to leadership and the Board
  • Complete additional tasks as assigned

Qualifications

The essential responsibilities require the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Proven experience building, testing, and growing revenue-generating programs, products, or events—particularly in early-stage or evolving environments.
  • Comfortable working without fully defined products or playbooks.
  • Energized by experimentation, iteration, and learning directly from audiences.
  • Willing to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
  • Expertise in digital marketing (email, paid campaigns, social, SEO, analytics) and audience growth strategies.
    Strong entrepreneurial mindset with ability to identify, test, and scale new revenue opportunities.
  • Experience forging strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations that drive both mission and financial goals.
  • Data-driven decision maker with ability to set KPIs, track performance, and pivot strategy to achieve results.
  • Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to inspire, develop, and manage cross-functional teams.
  • Strong understanding of brand positioning, customer segmentation, and customer journey mapping.
  • Cultural competence and inclusive leadership, able to work effectively across diverse communities and geographies.
  • Deep commitment to the mission and values of Mind & Life, with the ability to balance mission and revenue priorities.
  • This role balances early-stage product development with near-term opportunities for audience growth and earned revenue through events, digital programs, and media platforms.

This role balances early-stage product development with near-term opportunities for audience growth and earned revenue through events, digital programs, and media platforms.

Level of Experience/Education, Professional Licenses/Certifications, and Supervision Experience

  • 7–10+ years of progressive experience in marketing, business development, or entrepreneurial leadership, with measurable success in growing earned revenue
  • Demonstrated track record of building and scaling revenue-generating programs, products, or events
  • Experience leading and managing teams of 3–5+ people across marketing, product, or program functions
  • Experience working with diverse and international audiences (preferred)
  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or certification in business, marketing, management, or leadership (preferred)
  • Familiarity with contemplative practices and/or contemplative sciences (preferred)

Organizational

Contacts:

Works closely with the President, COO, the senior leadership team, the Board of Directors, MLI Community members, and department staff

  • President & senior leadership team for strategic decision making and envisioning the future
  • Senior leadership for daily operations, capacity building, and decision making for the internal functioning of MLI
  • Board of Directors for departmental reporting
  • Research & Programs Council for departmental reporting and advisement
  • Program Planning and review committees for specific programs and events – monthly and as needed
  • Collaborators/representatives of partner organizations
Direct Reports:

Manages 2-3 staff, consultants or interns

Position Scope

Financial Responsibilities: In collaboration with the senior management team, prepare annual budget for department, including individual programs & event budgets

Complexity of Work: On a daily basis, remotely overseeing multiple departmental activities and working with many different kinds of people, including program staff, staff across other departments, leadership team, academics (Fellows, program planning faculty, review committees), and student interns

Working Conditions: Physical / Mental Demands

  • Office environment
  • Sit, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lift and walk, climb steps
  • Communicate by phone, writing, and speaking

Travel / Seasonal Demands

Available to travel throughout the year – approximately 1-3 times per year, for 4-8 days.

Additional Information

  • Based in the Charlottesville, Virginia / Washington, DC areas
  • Mind & Life operates in a hybrid in-person and remote work environment
  • Position includes occasional domestic and international travel
  • All offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check
 

Mind & Life is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and following best practices to support a thriving organization with a diversity of perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Please submit your cover letter and résumé to jobs@mindandlife.org using the subject line “Director of Product, Programs and Earned Revenue”

(Updated Feb. 2, 2025)

About Mind & Life

At the Mind & Life Institute, we bring science and contemplative wisdom together to better understand the mind and create positive change in the world. Building on Mind & Life’s 35-year legacy and co-founder the Dalai Lama, we seek to foster insights and inspire action on how our inner lives contribute to individual, societal, and planetary flourishing. We’re committed to addressing mounting global challenges through our convenings, grantmaking, digital resources, and strategic partnerships.

With our organizational values of compassion, integrity, excellence, inclusion, and curiosity, we are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. As such, we will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming.