ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Highlands Falls Country Club
Highlands, North Carolina
Our Club
Founded in 1958, Highlands Falls Country Club is a private, member-owned club in Highlands, North Carolina. Perched high atop the Highlands Plateau, where incredible views stretch for miles and miles, is Highlands Falls, a small and close-knit community which has just completed a $3.5 million renovation of the clubhouse to expand outdoor dining and create a unique indoor/outdoor bar and grill area. With updated features, extended dining areas, and sweeping views, it serves as a stylish, luxurious gathering place for members and guests – the response from the membership has been overwhelmingly positive.
Highlands Falls offers all the amenities and activities you’d expect, and then some. Whether members prefer golf, croquet, pickleball, tennis, bridge, fishing, swimming, dining, working out, tennis, competing in “yacht club” races, or a combination of all of the above, they enjoy their play surrounded by mountain views, an incredible waterfall, and folks who can’t wait to welcome you to the community.
Highlands Falls offers 18 holes of pure golf fun on a dramatically beautiful course, a Croquet Pavilion, a tennis center with three Har-Tru courts and pickleball, all of which offer interactive programs and regular social events. The Club has a Fitness facility that includes a weight room, locker rooms, a group fitness room, and is replete with spa services, personal training, group classes, and a private swim complex. The Pool complex includes the swimming pool and aquatic fitness activities. The Clubhouse consists of the administrative offices, kitchen, member dining areas, lounge and banquet facilities, and offers engaging activities for all ages, such as the highly popular Bridge program and fun-filled Junior Camp.
Members love to talk about how incredible the dining experience is at Highlands Falls, which offers both casual and formal dining options, well-priced lunch and dinner menus, special theme dinners, phenomenal wine dinners, a la carte brunch every Sunday, and special dietary accommodations upon request. Whether hosting a small private party, throwing a large private event, or entertaining special guests, Highlands Falls provides the perfect combination of private elegance and impeccable service.
Highlands Falls Country Club Overview
– 284 Members (Golf: 187, Other: 97)
– Initiation Fee (Resident Member Golf: $45,000)
– Annual Dues (Golf: $13,086)
– $5.5M Gross Volume
– $3.1M Annual Dues
– $600K F&B Volume
– Nine Board Members
– Average age of members is 73
The Assistant General Manager Position
The Assistant General Manager (AGM) is ultimately responsible for all clubhouse, food and beverage, aquatics, recreation and facilities operations on a daily basis, including the general housekeeping over these areas. The AGM is responsible for all aspects of the operation in the absence of the General Manager/COO and performs specific tasks as requested.
This managerial position works closely with, and reports directly to, the General Manager/COO, providing quality leadership and contributing to the positive atmosphere of the Club and associated operations. He/she will also prepare annual department budgets in concert with the GM/COO.
The AGM will enhance the club culture and is responsible for the dissemination of hospitality, friendliness and goodwill among members, guests and staff. His/her goal is always to help members and guests enjoy the facilities and events of the Club. In addition to building relationships with Club members, guests, and employees, he or she also provides support to the respective committees and advisory groups. As the public face of these operations, a hands-on approach, and understanding that full member and staff engagement is critical, is required to succeed in this position.
The AGM consistently provides anticipated and enhanced hospitality along with superb dining and other food and beverage experiences for the Club’s membership and their guests. Alignment with the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Manager is very important in this position to ensure collaborative, innovative, harmonious relationships between front- and back-of-house operations.
Primary Responsibilities
Member Services
Consistent, highly-visible, sincere and significant engagement with members and staff in the dining areas of the club is of the utmost importance. It is the ultimate responsibility of the AGM to ensure all member dining, amenities and club events are well-conceived and executed.
Provide quality leadership in a positive and upbeat manner for the members, guests and staff.
Address and resolve all member and guest complaints and suggestions, general service, employee attitude, maintenance, and presentation of the clubhouse operations.
Employee Relations
Manage the seasonal recruiting, hiring and development of clubhouse and various food service venue personnel.
Oversee ongoing training programs complete with up-to-date training manuals to ensure exceptional service in all parts of the club’s operation.
Provide for training and future development of all subordinate managers and supervisors subject to budget approval by the General Manager/COO. Instill the concept of being team players in all employees. Continue to coach, counsel, and evaluate departmental staff.
Ensure a positive spirit and healthy work environment exists throughout all club operations, one that is free of safety risks and all forms of employee harassment.
Maintain an effective two-way communications program with employees to ensure they are treated in a fair, structured and consistent manner.
Function as an administrative and communication link between departments in the club.
Guarantee that all clubhouse employees are regularly trained and certified in areas that help guard the safety and well-being of our members, guests and other employees including, but not limited to responsible alcohol service, safe food handling, etc.
Help to facilitate a team environment with morale, high ethical standards and efficient use of resources to position Highlands Falls Country Club to be a preferred employer of choice in the community.
Financial Management
Work jointly with the Controller and General Manager/COO to prepare the annual operating and capital budgets for all clubhouse and service operations; assist in the management and control of operations to attain the desired results.
Monitor the budget each week/month and direct any corrective action, as necessary,
to assure budgeted goals are attained.
Provide input to all clubhouse and service personnel regarding annual budgets, capital spending plans, fiscal controls and operational guidelines.
Manage all labor cost payouts and maintain them within the constraints of the budget, and through close coordination and approval from the General Manager/COO and Controller.
Monitor payroll records to control overtime and maintain labor costs within budgetary guidelines.
Supervise the purchase, receipt, safekeeping and disbursement of operating supplies and equipment to maximize quality and profitability.
Personnel Management
Display a strong hands-on approach and lead the staff by example. Must be approachable to staff, members and guests.
Assist the General Manager/COO in developing and implementing long-range (strategic) and annual (business) plans, operating reports, forecasts and budgets.
Work with Human Resources to develop long-term staffing needs for each area of responsibility.
Responsible for hiring, discipline, termination and documentation of all clubhouse and service staff.
Review all accidents and work with HR and Safety Committee to complete accident reports and implement improved procedures to prevent the situation from reoccurring.
Attend senior management meetings and carry out directives agreed upon during the meetings along with any other requests of the General Manager/COO. All actions must be carried out in a timely manner.
Serve as an ad-hoc member of appropriate club committees and advisory groups.
Possess a warm personality, a sense of humor and the ability to work effectively with all levels of the internal staff and members.
Work with the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Manager and others to develop P&L statements prior to each event. Produce an event recap along with all appropriate documentation/history, keeping it on file for future use.
Work with Executive Chef on menu development.
Work with the F&B team to organize and market special club events.
Further his/her own continued development as a club management professional as a member of CMAA. With the assistance and approval of the General Manager/COO participate in appropriate seminars/training programs, thereby enhancing his/her value and quality of services to Highlands Falls Country Club.
Operational Responsibilities
Understand and abide by Highlands Falls Country Club policies and departmental procedures. Suggest changes, and when appropriate, direct the implementation of change.
Provide content for and manage communications and marketing information for departments.
Assure Clubhouse operations and campus venues are run in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
Disseminate information effectively and coordinate activities between departments in a timely manner.
Keep the General Manager/COO informed of all potential problems and activities related to the smooth operation of the clubhouse and other food service venues.
Oversee inventory management throughout departments and complete a periodic china, glass and silver inventory to maintain par levels.
Coordinate and approve all entertainment in consultation with General Manager/COO and others.
Possess a sharp eye for detail in the overall management of the operation.
Report performance and financial data, e.g., weekly report to General Manager/COO in a timely and regular manner.
Candidate Qualifications
Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership and management experience in a private club environment.
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Hospitality Management or Business.
Certified Club Manager (CCM) or in active pursuit of designation preferred.
Note: A pre-employment drug screen and background check will be required. The position is available immediately.
Salary & Benefits
Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package.
Inquiries
IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should submit résumés along with a detailed cover letter which addresses the qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position by Friday, August 20, 2021.
These documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, HFCC AGM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, HFCC AGM Résumé”) respectively to: execsearchus@ggapartners.com.
All requested information, along with references, should be emailed to the address above.
To learn more about Highlands Falls Country Club, visit www.clubhfcc.com
