Month: March 2023

Executive Search: General Manager for The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

Date:

                       

General Manager
The Royal Ottawa Golf Club
Gatineau, Québec

The Club

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club (ROGC) is one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Canada. The Club’s roots in the game of golf and history in the National Capital Region run deep. Founded in 1891, the Club received the prestigious Royal designation in 1912.

Private yet welcoming, fostering friendships, social activity and friendly competition are integral to Club life, while all five of Royal Ottawa’s competitive teams are in Class A competitive divisions.

The traditional and classic design of the clubhouse and patio is a welcomed setting for the noteworthy food, beverage and social ambiance of the Club. The traditional and challenging layout of the 18-hole Main Course will test the skills of even the most avid golfer, in just four hours. The relaxed atmosphere of the Royal Nine course provides a perfect setting for those honing their techniques, also making it ideal for families and juniors. The Club’s newly built academy, driving range and short-game facility operates with state-of-the-art technologies, and is the largest such facility in Canada.

The Position

The General Manager (GM) serves as the Chief Operating Officer. The GM will manage all aspects of the Club, including its activities and relationships between the Club and its Board of Directors, Members, guests, employees, community, government, and industry.

Reporting to the Board of Directors through the President, the General Manager is responsible for managing the overall performance of the ROGC by providing an exceptional Member experience. The General Manager will have a strong command of industry trends in addition to industry benchmarks and best practices.

Highly visible and interactive throughout all seasons, the GM will be a professional in personal style, demeanour and presence, and comfortable interacting with Members and staff. As chief host within the Club and ambassador of the Club within the community, the GM manages the quality of the Club’s services to ensure Member and guest satisfaction.

The GM will be expected, along with their team, to develop ongoing strategies that contribute to fulfilling the Club’s Vision and Mission as approved by the Board and the Membership. The GM will also lead the annual planning, goal setting and financial performance of the Club.

Experience and understanding of the game of golf, its history and traditions, and a minimum of ten years of progressive management experience in a well-regarded private club or similar hospitality environment is required.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Leadership:

  • Develop an effective working relationship with the Board of Directors and Committees.
  • Lead the development of the Club’s strategic and annual plans, consistent with the Club’s Vision and Mission.
  • Lead, mentor and build a strong management team including effective performance management along with succession planning.
  • Follow industry trends, benchmarks and best practices and develop strategies that maintain the ROGC’s best-in-class premier golf club position.
  • Value the Club’s heritage, historic Clubhouse and Royal designation.
  • Give thoughtful consideration to issues of change to ensure the ROGC remains a premier club.
  • Be well-known and visible to the Membership.

Financial:

  • Be fiscally responsible while investing in the Club’s people and assets to ensure an exceptional Member experience.
  • Ensure that the Club is operated in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
  • Provide timely, relevant, and accurate reporting, including key indicators, performance metrics and benchmarking.
  • Maintain a long-term financial plan that incorporates cash flow planning and membership recruiting strategies.

Golf Operations:

  • Ensure the golf courses and practice facilities are to the highest standards of condition and playability.
  • Ensure that the teaching capabilities and quality of teaching experience are the highest possible standard.
  • Ensure that the Pro Shop provides goods and services that are commensurate with the highest standards, and that prices are competitive.
  • Promote the course such that it receives the highest possible ratings from external sources.
  • Promote a long-term vision for the golf courses and practice facilities via the Golf Course Master Plan.
  • Nurture the spirit of the game, fostering a community atmosphere through participation, player development, competition and enjoyment.

Member and Clubhouse Experience:

  • Deliver a consistently exceptional Clubhouse experience by providing a high-calibre food and beverage offering, quality service and Member social programming.
  • Ensure that the Club has identified an appropriate long-term maintenance and Campus Master Plan.
  • Encourage participation and pride of membership through communication and engagement.
  • Consistently communicate with the membership and enforce Club rules.

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate possesses strong interpersonal skills, is a proven collaborator and relationship builder, and is action- and results-oriented.

  • An innovative and strategic thinker with strong business acumen and passion for continuous improvement.
  • Able to display sound judgement and make complex decisions in support of the Club’s Vision and Mission.
  • A drive to identify industry best practices and key benchmarks.
  • A dynamic leader and motivator that prides themselves on the accomplishments of their team and the willingness to provide ongoing constructive feedback.
  • Experience managing large, complex projects.
  • Demonstrates exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills.
  • Member experience-driven attitude
  • Conducts themselves in a responsible and professional manner.
  • Able to be diplomatic and tactful, yet firm, when dealing with Member constituents.
  • Self-starter, results-orientated and hands-on when needed.

Qualifications and Skills

  • A post-secondary degree in business or a golf-related program.
  • A Certified Club Manager designation is preferred (CCM).
  • Experience reporting to a Board and an understanding of club governance.
  • A leadership track record.
  • Experience in a premier club environment.
  • Bilingualism would be considered an asset.

Compensation

The successful applicant will receive an attractive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with a comprehensive health benefits plan and retirement savings matching program.

Inquiries

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should submit a resume along with a detailed cover letter, which addresses the position qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position, by April 21st at 5:00pm PST.

Documents are required to be submitted in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Royal Ottawa GM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Royal Ottawa GM Resume”) respectively to: execsearch@ggapartners.com.

We thank all applicants for their interest but will only contact those selected for an interview.

Lead Search Consultant: 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Gregory
Managing Director & Partner
GGA Partners™
Michael.gregory@ggapartners.com

 

For more information on The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, visit https://royalottawagolfclub.com/

 

What Do Members Want?

Date:

Some club leaders believe that it is a fool’s mission to try to understand what members want.

In fact, it is quite simple…you need to ask members what they want. Michael Gregory and Dr. Eric Brey at GGA Partners can tell you with certainty that developing a broad and deep understanding of members’ wants, needs, expectations, and fears is a matter of faithfully applying proven practices of attitudinal research.

Dr. Brey, a PhD-accredited professor at the University of Wisconsin – Stout, is an expert at leveraging analytics to implement dependable customer-centric strategy and hone it on what truly impacts satisfaction. And it all begins with asking members what they want. Sometimes referred to as qualitative analysis, members’ viewpoints are normally collected within small groups and sometimes validated in expanded follow-up listening sessions. In his work with GGA, Dr. Brey has implemented this science within private clubs where understanding members’ attitudes are so important.

In order to measure what matters are of greatest importance to a given club’s members, attitudinal surveys prove to be a trustworthy tool. Establishing the proportion and intensity of members’ attitudes has become even more important in a time when members want to know that their viewpoints were taken into account.

Gregory, having worked at GGA since 2007, is expert at administering private club surveys. He emphasizes that attitudinal surveys in private clubs are essential because the relationship between the club and its members is an emotional and often intense one. In recent years, club leaders have become more reliant on member surveys as the sophistication of such surveys goes deeper into members’ viewpoints. Not the stuff of satisfaction surveys, an attitudinal survey seeks to quantify and measure members concerns and expectations, willingness to fund certain capital projects, and identify the characteristics – by analyzing underlying data – to provide club leaders with clearcut insight into what members want. Five factors that are consistently revealed in member surveys include:

 

  1. When factures occur in private clubs, they are often on the lines of gender and generation.
  2. Normally, the most satisfied members are the newest and the least satisfied members are the most tenured in the club.
  3. Older (in age) members are least supportive of capital projects and debt.
  4. Younger members are eager to see regular capital improvements.
  5. Women tend to be most alert to the club’s value system…”are we what we claim to be?”

Insights vary from club to club and require careful and objective analysis of underlying demographic data to enable the board to understand how members align and differ on certain topics. Dr. Brey advises careful analytical discipline and measurement. “There is no substitute for patient and transparent data analysis,” he says.

At the end of the day, Brey and Gregory confirm that it is possible to know what members want. One simply needs to ask the right questions in the right way.

This piece was authored by Henry DeLozier, Partner, for the National Club Association‘s Winter 2023 Issue of Club Director Magazine. 

Connect with Henry – henry.delozier@ggapartners.com

GGA Partners Joins ClubWorks’ Network of Excellence

Date:
ClubWorks adds world-class management consulting firm to its platform of best-in-class companies, and expands its strategic leadership team with the acquisition of GGA Partners.

 

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA, March 7, 2023 – ClubWorks, a premiere private club and high-end hospitality-focused professional services platform, elevates its rapidly expanding service offerings with the acquisition of GGA Partners (GGA), a preeminent international consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s most successful golf courses, private clubs, resorts and residential communities.

Through this investment, ClubWorks will help accelerate the expansion of GGA’s service offerings to the ClubWorks client network, including strategy and operations consulting services, transaction advisory services, as well as executive search and advanced analytics services while expanding the firm’s market-leading research efforts. GGA’s leadership team will add further expertise to the ClubWorks Board of Directors, who are committed to the continued growth of this professional services platform.

“The unmatched strategy, finance and analytics expertise of GGA will benefit our clients immensely and makes them the perfect addition to our impressive portfolio of ClubWorks companies,” said Michael Leemhuis, Chairman and CEO, ClubWorks. “This acquisition furthers our mission to build a world-class professional services platform while adding some of the best strategic minds in the private club and hospitality world to our leadership team.”

As part of the Clubworks’ Network of Excellence, GGA will retain its highly respected brand, leadership team and professional staff to continue delivering high-quality, impactful strategic solutions to its clients. The additional resources and synergies afforded through the ClubWorks platform will also be incredibly impactful for the broader investment, real estate, hospitality, municipal and association related market segments currently served.

“This investment is strategic on many fronts, as the collective experience and expertise of the ClubWorks companies will help GGA better serve our clients by addressing often requested, and required, services by clubs and hospitality businesses around the globe,” said GGA Founding Partner Stephen Johnston “Our existing clients will continue to be served by our entire GGA team, now stronger than ever, and will have access to even more exceptional research, support and additional services.”

About ClubWorks
Formed in January 2022, but combining more than 100+ years of history and operations, ClubWorks is a growing professional services platform dedicated to the private club and high-end hospitality industry that is building an esteemed “Network of Excellence” across a variety of service offerings. Through its subsidiaries, Peacock + Lewis, JBD JGA Design and Architecture, Visionary Spectacle Studios, and now GGA Partners, ClubWorks is focused on providing top-quality deliverables and a best-in-class experience to its growing base of global clients which includes private clubs, restaurants, high-end hospitality, and select high-end residential clients. For more information on ClubWorks, visit www.clubworks.com.

About GGA Partners™
GGA Partners is an international consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s most successful golf courses, private clubs, resorts and residential communities. They are dedicated to helping owners, asset managers, club and community leaders, investors and real estate developers tackle challenges, achieve objectives and maximize asset performance. Established in 1992 as the KPMG Golf Industry Practice, their global team of experienced professionals leverage in-depth business intelligence and proprietary global data to deliver impactful strategic solutions and lasting success. For more information on GGA, visit www.ggapartners.com.

Media Contacts

ClubWorks
Henry Wallmeyer
President & COO
hwallmeyer@clubworks.com
202-400-1825

GGA Partners
Craig Johnston
Managing Director & Partner
craig.johnston@ggapartners.com
647-822-8972

Executive Search: General Manager for Devil’s Glen Country Club

Date:

                       

General Manager
Devil’s Glen Country Club
Duntroon, Ontario

The Club

Located just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, Devil’s Glen Country Club (“the Club”) provides an exceptional experience for members and their families. The Club has 24 ski trails and four chairlifts along with 20km of cross-country trails.

The Club is proud of its traditions, dating back to 1964 when the Beehive Race down Waterfall helped launch the Club. The Glen’s racing program, which is rooted deep in the Club’s culture and purpose, along with snow programs and a state-of-the-art terrain park, provides a family-focused environment where all athletes are encouraged to grow and develop from their experience.

With close to 750 senior members and just over 1,900 active skiers, the Club provides an exceptional on-hill experience within an intimate club community.

The Position

Role Summary

The General Manager (“GM”) is responsible to continue to build the Club’s standard for excellence and provide strategic direction while embracing opportunities for new initiatives. The General Manager will work with a volunteer member Board of Directors, ensuring that “important things get done”, including an industry-leading on- and off-hill “Devil’s Glen Experience” and the cost-effective management and development of the organization’s current and future assets.

Direct Reports

  • Assistant General Manager – Operations
  • Financial Controller and Chief Administrative Office
  • Manager Marketing and Membership

Position Responsibilities

The GM will be responsible for the following:

  • Oversee the complete operation of the Club in accordance with the direction established by the Board and the Strategic Plan.
  • Build and maintain relationships with staff, members, local government leaders, leaders of other private ski clubs, etc.
  • Lead, coach, direct and mentor the management team which will include performance management.
  • Provide effective leadership at the Club and within the community.
  • Ensure a strong presence and seeks to be highly visible to membership and staff.
  • Support a strong and engaged Board of Directors to execute all policies and decisions.
  • Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board, providing, in a timely and accurate manner, information necessary for the Board’s fiduciary and oversight responsibilities (e.g., monthly reporting).
  • Work with the Board and its Committees and serve as a liaison between the Board, staff and membership.
  • Create and ensure success of the Club’s vision and direction.
  • Create, communicate, and lead the strategic planning efforts and implementation of the Club’s strategy.
  • Prepare budgets associated with outdoor and indoor operations and carry the overall responsibility for working within these budgets.
  • Formulating and overseeing long-term capital budgeting and plans.
  • Maintain familiarity, knowledge and compliance of all Club by-laws, health and safety legislation, insurance, T.S.S.A Regulations, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, etc. and assure standards are met.
  • Develop and maintain the Club’s capability to oversee the project management of significant capital projects.
  • Oversee the development and execution of infrastructure plans in accordance with Board-approved area master plans and capital budgets.
  • Ensure the success of all aspects of member/guest satisfaction, engagement and safety.
  • Assist with the membership sales process to promote the Club and member experience to prospective members.
  • Set annual staff goals, carry out periodic performance planning reviews with staff and conduct annual appraisals against pre-agreed goals and objectives.

Candidate Profile

  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience of progressive leadership and management experience in a private club environment or related field.
  • A University or College Degree/Diploma in Hospitality Management, Business Management, Ski Resort Management or a related field.
  • Exceptional leadership skills with proven success at leading teams.
  • Exceptional relationship management skills with the ability to build, grow and cultivate new and existing relationships.
  • Experience partnering with a Board of Directors.
  • Experience skiing or snowboarding would be an asset.
  • An experienced visionary and transformational leader who can lead, coach and motivate staff.
  • Strong team player with an orientation to take initiative. Flexible, adaptive and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities. Ability to successfully handle multiple complex priorities concurrently.
  • Ability to work in an environment where unanticipated changes in demands often necessitate a change in priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism and diplomacy.
  • Ability to organize and manage projects, adapting as needed to changing priorities and deadlines, emerging issues, impacts of decisions, competing and conflicting demands, and to keep staff, colleagues and the Board informed as required.
  • Strong judgment, interpersonal, problem solving and influencing skills.
  • Strong conflict resolution skills and knows when to use the appropriate skill.
  • Possess excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
  • Possess professional maturity, sensitivity and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Club’s core values.

Compensation

The Club will offer an attractive compensation package, commensurate with experience, which will include a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity and benefits.

Inquiries

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should submit resumes along with a detailed cover letter which addresses the qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position by April 2, 2023. Those documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Devil’s Glen Resume” and “Last Name, First Name, Devil’s Glen Cover Letter”) respectively to: execsearch@ggapartners.com.

Lead Search Consultant: 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Gregory
Managing Director & Partner
GGA Partners™
Michael.gregory@ggapartners.com

 

For more information on Devil’s Glen Country Club: https://www.devilsglen.com/Home.

 

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