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Where Purpose Meets Community

We live in a time of deep challenges—unsustainable economic and business models that harm our planet, growing divisiveness in our conversations, a loss of meaning in the workplace, and a growing lack of affordable housing.

For the first time in modern U.S. history, life expectancy is declining. Studies like Blue Zones, however, remind us: the single most important factor in health, happiness, and longevity is connection.

This is why this new venture has been called into being, and why so many of our new projects are being designed to help folks reconnect with self, others, and Nature. 

It’s time to heal the disconnect that is literally at the root of every challenge we face on the planet today.  Its why we’re here.

Our History

Highland Lake Cove is the eighth of twelve project phases within the larger 200-acre Highland Lake Vision —each created with a unique purpose. The first two projects were the Highland Lake Inn and Conference Center and the first restaurant here.  We passed the baton to its new owners in 1999, after 14 years of award-winning growth. That same year we began our next venture… developing the beloved neighborhoods we see here today. 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of what we refer to in-house as “The Highland Lake Experiment.”

While all of the first seven projects focused on specific arenas—such as new hospitality operations, neighborhood development, retreat center offerings, and supporting in-house entrepreneurship—the Cove weaves together all four of the essential elements we believe in:

• Real Food

• Real Places

• Real People, and

• Creating meaningful work

 

Highland Lake Cove is more than a workplace—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem of reativity, connection, and community. Rooted in Western North Carolina for over 40 years, we’ve evolved from pioneering fine dining into a retreat center, the new café and event center, and growing series of new collaborative offerings, and now, a collaborative campus for those working to create a more beautiful world.  What we call a Live-Work-Grow Community.

 

Our Approach to Hiring

We see hiring not as a transaction, but as a mutual discovery process. We want to know who you are, what brings you alive, and how your gifts could align with what we’re building.

Rather than only posting traditional job offers, we often co-create roles based on individual strengths and evolving community needs. What begins as a posted job may grow, shift, or deepen into something uniquely yours.

We also believe in project-based trials—opportunities to collaborate on a single event, dinner, or project together before formalizing a long-term commitment. This gives both sides a chance to experience how we work.

 

Flexible Roles & the Create-Your-Own-Job Approach

·       • A Café Manager may also serve as a Lead Cook or help with retreat coordination

·       • A Bookkeeper might also support Office Admin or Guest Relations

·       • A Programs & Events Project Manager could start with a single event and grow into a full Program Director role

This flexible approach supports creativity, sustainability, and the long-term flourishing of both our team and the place we steward together.

Pay & Benefits

·       • Fair and evolving pay scales, depending on role and experience

·       • Flexible scheduling and opportunities to combine roles

·       • Access to retreat and wellness facilities

·       • Leadership development and mentorship

·       • Cross-training to support a more resilient and collaborative workplace

·       • Housing options and may be available for certain all-call positions

Each role’s compensation and benefits are refined during the onboarding process to reflect mutual goals and sustainability.

Current Opportunities

·       • Culinary & Café

·       • Guest Services & Administration

·       • Bookkeeping & Financial Operations

·       • Events & Program Development

·       • Garden & Facilities

New roles are added regularly, and many begin with a conversation. If you don’t see a perfect match, but feel called to work here—reach out.

 

To Apply

Send a brief introduction and resume to:
kerry@highlandlake.com

Or wait until our new job listings page with direct links and application forms go on line in a few days.  In closing:

 

A Note from Our Founder

As I approach elderhood, my focus is not so much about creating one more business, but more about building something that can outlast me—a living workplace that models regeneration, collaboration, and ownership.

I’ve spent decades in industries that burn people out. It’s time to create something new…Businesses that can be a part of what David Korten calls, Local Living Economies.

While this next octave won’t happen overnight, in the long term, we’ll be exploring pathways toward cooperative business structures, and avenues toward employee ownership for a number of the new ventures that will emerge here. We call this function, “Community as Incubator.” We like birthing stuff… new types of neighborhood, new community-centric businesses and helping people birth their unique gifts.

While we’ve studied the latest in cutting-edge business development tools and practices for decades, in the end it has been making mistakes and finding solutions quickly that fueled the success of our previous ventures. As Steve Jobs at Apple used to say, we strive to fail upwards.  

It makes work more enjoyable.

We look forward to meeting you.

Highland Lake Cove – A Waterfront Dining Community and Gathering Place for What’s Next