About Sensei

Founded by Dr. David Agus and Larry Ellison, our ecosystem of products and experiences is designed with one intention: to empower you to grow well and lead the world toward greater wellbeing.

Based on Dr. Agus’ philosophy, Sensei believes we can guide our guests to greater wellbeing by offering experiential movement, rest and nourishment classes and programs. The launch of the Retreats wellness brand took place on Lana’i, Hawaii in partnership with Four Season’s lodging and food offerings by Nobu.  In this location, Sensei is operating world-class spa, fitness, movement, nutrition, meditative, enrichment and body assessment facilities, and offers off-site recreational sports and adventure programs.  Sensei programs and continuing learning sessions are high-touch, evidence-led and supported by the latest technology.  You can read our story here.

Position Description

An exciting opportunity to lead wellness experts who leverage evidence-based content and technology in a luxury resort setting. The Retreat Director manages the overall operation of the Sensei Retreat, directly overseeing spa, wellness, technology and guest experience. and interacts and collaborates closely with the resort hotel operations run by Four Seasons. The Director reports to Sensei’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and is the local brand ambassador to guests, press, dignitaries and at times, the co-owner of Sensei who lives on island. The role requires an experienced wellness expert who can oversee and work with a senior team of Sensei Guides who are Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Mindfulness Coaches working with our guests on their customized approach to wellness by applying knowledge obtained through their advanced academic degrees. This role also works closely with the corporate Product Engineers and Wellness Research team.  The candidate must understand the workings of spa and fitness with their on-site managers, oversee fitness instructors, wellness practitioners, aestheticians and spa therapists at a Retreat.  This role will be involved with the developing, scheduling and management of all program modalities, including spa treatments, fitness and movement instruction, meditation and mindfulness sessions, nutrition and enrichment classes (such as art, music and cultural activities) and guest interaction and itinerary building with our on-site Guides and Experience Specialists, and central corporate Pre-arrival team who schedules guest itineraries.  The Director participates in employee sourcing and recruitment, trains staff to Sensei’s philosophy and approach (the “Sensei Way”), trains to its standard operating practices (SOP’s) and keeps them updated, mentors and disciplines employees, anticipates and solves problems, addresses customer needs to ensure the highest quality of service and leverages technology as tools used to enhance the guest experience.  In this location the Retreat Director shall have the gravitas and be the primary representative to support the operations and coordinate with the hotel operator (Four Seasons), restauranteur (Nobu) and sister property (Sensei Farms) to ensure the highest quality of service and alignment with the Sensei mission, philosophy and standards. Finally, the Director ensures Sensei staff are aware of and comply with overall resort operating policies and decorum set by the Four Seasons.


Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer


Responsibilities

  • Ensure the guests have a meaningful experience and are enriched by the programs and services (on property and throughout the island) found in our Experience Menu, always seeking to improve, innovate and create best practices
  • Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of program goals and objectives, remain current with the latest spa and wellness trends, products and programs, as well as best-practices, and make adjustments and recommend improvements to the current service menus and SOP’s
  • Work with the COO and Sensei Director of Wellness Research in developing wellness related classes and training modules
  • Provide guest support and excellent guest service and be the primary  point of contact for guests, as a senior representative of Sensei
  • Ensure the staff practices and Sensei programs and services are of the highest caliber, reflect our standards and satisfy the guests needs and expectations
  • Establish a strong, collaborative relationship with our partners and the hotel operator, Four Seasons to optimize a seamless guest experience, provide prompt full resolution and response to the satisfaction of the guest. 
  • Understand the Sensei mission, philosophy and brand standards and develop a team culture around the core company mission
  • Ensure standard operating practices (SOPs) are in place and regularly updated, and train staff to such standards, including, but not limited to, scheduling, performance management, program protocols, service standards, as well as onboarding, training and off-boarding of employees
  • Lead by example with the ability to mentor, inspire, empathize and establish and communicate clear expectations aligned with the Sensei Culture, brand standards of guest experience and service guidelines
  • Assist Corporate Finance and People Operations, in collaboration with the on-site People Operations Manager, in ensuring work schedules, commissions, product up-sells, payroll timecards, and other personnel matters are in compliance with federal and state wage and hour regulations and other labor requirements
  • Be familiar with the existing and emerging health and safety protocols associated with COVID-19 and how such events have impacted our business, guests, and employees
  • Attend daily stand-up meetings with Four Seasons and conduct daily stand-up meetings with your team ensuring all pertinent information is thoroughly disseminated to and understood by every staff member on duty every day
  • Maintain and monitor execution and follow-though of agreed upon daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly communication meetings and resulting actions items and initiatives 
  • Assist with recruitment for key positions, bi-weekly payroll, resource scheduling and staffing based on advanced guest bookings, other program needs and available resources
  • Create and manage to an annual budget and P&L goals in coordination with your COO, Finance Department and Four Seasons
  • Hold primary P&L responsibility based on an annual budget developed in coordination with the corporate support team
  • Monitor program facility set-ups and cleanliness, equipment functionality, and supply inventories
  • Provide reports and suggestions to Sensei for development of digital tools to help facilitate the guest’s efforts around their goals and intentions
  • Be familiar with and proficient in the Sensei technology used on-site, as well as for recruiting and corporate reporting
  • Maintain a strong unwavering commitment to ensure employees are well cared for in their daily work and that wellbeing activities and opportunities for growth are provided
  • Any and all related duties as assigned by the COO

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience senior management experience, including at least 5 as an executive at a leading destination spa or wellness facility,  preferably in a luxury hospitality environment
  • Proven ability to develop, motivate and inspire a team of 25 people or more and a minimum  annual  budget of $5,000,000
  • Capable of evaluating and developing spa and wellness programs and assess the products used therein
  • Interest in, and open mind to, online data and technology support, including a familiarity with PMS, POS, Spa Scheduling, Reservations Booking, Wellness Wearables and other software and hardware systems found in spa, exercise facilities and hotels
  • Familiar and comfortable with technology and applications such as Excel, Word, Asana, Slack and others
  • Strong organizational, computer and leadership skills with attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Provide supportive clear direction with an ability to analyze and problem solve while remaining curious and engage people warmly and openly
  • Ability to develop and manage a budget and manage schedules and expenses accordingly
  • Ability to recruit, retain, develop, motivate and inspire a team
  • Strong personal commitment to wellness and motivated to live the Sensei Way
  • Experience in yield management to maximize revenues
  • Able to work within a hosted environment since Sensei Retreats Koele operates within the Four Seasons’ footprint
  • Able to be efficient and productive in a dynamic environment
  • Knowledgeable in the front-of-house and back-of-house operations of a resort
  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledgeable in Opera, Book-4-Time
  • Licensed or certified in a professional spa or wellness modality
  • Experienced teaching a class or lecture in one of the spa or wellness modalities above
  • Pre-Opening and Opening operational experience
  • CPR and AED Certification

Working Conditions

  • Working on an idyllic, but remote, Hawaiian island that has limited retail options on island and requires taking a ferry to Maui or short flight to Oahu for items beyond daily basic services
  • While performing duties of this job, the essential functions of this position require an employee to regularly stand, walk, use hand to write on chart, talk, hear, see, taste, smell, type on keyboard, with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Available to workday, evening and weekend hours in office, studios and outdoors in a resort setting
  • Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments in a range of weather conditions

Traits We Value

  • Commitment to a healthier living environment and embracing the Sensei Way and philosophy espoused and science identified in Dr Agus’ teachings and writings
  • Collaborative mentality and the ability to recognize how to get things done as a team
  • Self-confidence and composure to accept critique, process it, and apply the learnings to improve
  • Resourceful and adaptable, understanding that a big idea can come from anywhere
  • Open to learning, developing new skills and professional experiences
  • Loves a good challenge 
  • Resourceful and adaptable 
  • A strong sense of curiosity 
  • Embraces feedback and constantly seeks to improve 

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive salary  
  • Benefits commensurate with company policy for position
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance  
  • 401k and FSA plans  
  • Subsidized gym membership  
  • Cell phone bill reimbursement 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex (including gender identity or expression; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, religion, color, ancestry, disability (including association or relationship with an individual with a disability), marital status, National Guard obligation, genetic test results, arrest and court records, reproductive health decision, domestic or sexual violence victim status, breastfeeding requirements, assignment of income for child support obligations, or credit history or report.

 

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