Senior Guest Relations Coordinator

The Avila Center for Community Leadership, part of Self-Help, is a dedicated movement home and retreat center located in North Durham, North Carolina. It serves as a welcoming space that hosts retreats, convenings, and gatherings primarily for social-justice organizations. Avila is deeply grounded in the philosophy of Radical Hospitality, which means caring for guests with dignity and intention, ensuring that every visitor feels welcomed upon arrival, supported throughout their stay, and fondly remembered after they depart. This approach to hospitality not only ensures a warm, inclusive atmosphere but also strengthens community ties and fosters meaningful relationships among guests and the local community. Self-Help, the parent organization, is committed to creating economic opportunities for traditionally underserved communities, making Avila both a physical and cultural hub for transformational social change.

The role of the Senior Guest Relations Coordinator is central to Avila’s operations. This position is responsible for managing the entire guest operations cycle—from the initial inquiry of groups to their stays, and all the way through to billing and close-out processes. The coordinator plays a crucial role in maintaining the smooth functionality of operations within a structure developed alongside the Operations Manager. Acting as the primary point of contact, the Senior Coordinator balances exceptional guest care with efficient operational management. They ensure that the principles of Radical Hospitality are upheld and are proactive in identifying any issues in service quality, quickly implementing solutions. Reporting directly to the Operations Manager and working closely with the Director of Avila and the Property Supervisor, this role demands strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Key responsibilities include overseeing the scheduling, setup, and matching of spaces and lodging to various groups, managing a complex calendar to accommodate competing requests during Avila’s growth phase. The Senior Guest Relations Coordinator also manages relationships and contracts with vendors servicing the event spaces, ensuring all work meets established standards and budgets. Additionally, they provide event planning support for Avila-led programming and collaborations, guaranteeing timely and budget-conscious execution of operational logistics. The coordinator handles the entire reservation process, maintains the booking system, coordinates payments, invoicing, and monthly audits, and acts as the onsite host and central contact for campus readiness, program setup, meals, lodging, and connectivity during group visits. This comprehensive role requires excellent judgment, multitasking ability, a commitment to radical hospitality, and flexibility to work outside standard business hours including some nights and weekends.

This position offers a competitive nonprofit salary ranging from $26.00 to $33.42 per hour, complemented by a generous benefits package. It also embodies the values of teamwork, collaboration, and mission-driven work to foster economic opportunity and social justice. Self-Help is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and celebrates diverse backgrounds, ensuring an equitable work environment for all employees. If you are passionate about community leadership, hospitality, and social justice and crave a meaningful role where your contribution makes an impactful difference, the Senior Guest Relations Coordinator role at the Avila Center for Community Leadership presents an exceptional career opportunity.