General Manager
Earl Grey Golf Club

 

History:

Earl Grey was founded in 1919 by Major Duncan Stuart, a practicing city lawyer, who organized a group of people interested in playing golf. The original course, which consisted of five holes, was located on land leased from the C.P.R., south of and adjacent to the Earl Grey Public School in the Mount Royal district. The Club moved on two occasions, and in 1932, a twenty-year lease was negotiated with the City of Calgary for the present site. The Club continues to lease the land from the City of Calgary pursuant to a long-term agreement.

Rejuvenation and Transition:

Improvements were made to the courses and clubhouse over the years leading to a transition to the current club designed to meet member expectations for the entire family. By 2019, the Club had completed construction of a new clubhouse, turf care facility and club storage building and significantly renovated the golf course just before celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Club continues to assess capital needs and is currently preparing a master plan for the golf course. The Club has a full waiting list, as demand for golf in Calgary, and in particular for the Earl Grey experience, is very high.

In 2023, Earl Grey was selected to be the host of the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open from July 22 to July 28.  Preparations for the event are in full swing with the cooperation of Golf Canada, the LPGA, and the City of Calgary.

Earl Grey will continue as one of Calgary’s premiere Golf Clubs and a preferred choice of many for years to come.  The new General Manager has an opportunity to be a part of the Club’s exciting future.

Mission Statement: To provide an excellent golf club offering a friendly, year-round golf and social experience for all members and their families, with a high level of service, while acting as good members of the community.

ABOUT THE CLUB:

Club Facilities

• 18-hole championship golf course
• 9-hole Lakeview Par 3 course
• HD indoor golf simulators
• SAM PuttLab
•  Premium clubhouse including:
  • Dining, lounge, and bar areas
  • Private event and meeting spaces
  • New and well-appointed locker rooms

Club Overview

• Total members: 1,400
• Total Shareholders: 559
• Initiation fee: $56,000
• Annual dues: $5,100
• Capital dues: $500
• Annual dues revenue: $4.2MM
• Gross revenue: $10.0MM
• F&B revenue: $2.8MM
• Rounds of golf annually: 30,000
• Full-time equivalent employees: 100-150, depending on season.
• Peak season total employees:  220

THE POSITION

We are looking for a General Manager (GM) reporting to the Board to oversee the entire Club.  The GM will deliver a consistently excellent member experience within the existing financial framework. The GM will balance innovation with tradition as the history of the club is highly valued by members.  The anticipated start date is in March 2024.

The GM will be responsible for:

• The consistent delivery of a member service that meets, and often exceeds member expectations.
• The supervision of the food and beverage operations, membership services, golf services operations, golf course maintenance, Club facilities and administrative services.
• Responsibility for Senior Managers who report directly to the GM and are responsible for the day-to-day activities and processes.  Although the GM will rely on the Senior Managers to operate the daily activities, the GM will be ultimately accountable for overall performance metrics, service and development and mentorship of the senior management team.
• Preparation of the Club’s annual operating and capital budgets and monthly financial results.
• The development and implementation of the Earl Grey Strategic Plan and resulting Business Plan.
• The implementation of Board policy and strategy.
• Representation of the Club to members, staff and external stakeholders.  The GM is engaged in new member recruitment and onboarding.

The initial key areas of focus for the GM will be:

• To understand the Club’s mission, vision, and evolving culture though interaction with members of all categories. This will be essential in building and executing plans and services to deliver the member experience model.
• Coordination and delivery of an excellent CPKC Women’s Open.
  • Sit on the tournament executive committee with the Club’s volunteer tournament co-chairs.
  • Collaborate with Golf Canada, CPKC and their providers, and the City of Calgary; and
  • Manage Club resource requirements to ensure successful execution of the event.
• Review the current Strategic Plan, operating and capital budgets and identify with Senior Management team opportunities for increased revenue, improved service delivery, and continuous process improvements.
• Develop key performance indicators which can be used by the GM and Board to initiate business process improvement, establish a performance management plan and to measure success.
• Develop strong relationships with key outside stakeholders, including the Club’s landlord and the surrounding communities.
• Build on the already strong culture at Earl Grey, making the Club a preferred choice for prospective employees and new members.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The GM reports to the Board. Given the leading role this individual will play in achieving the strategic objectives of Earl Grey Golf Club, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience, and attributes:

• A dynamic leader with the ability to build strong teams by motivation and leading by example. Has the ability to provide direction and expectations, performance feedback and recognition that leads to positive outcomes.
• Previous experience as a senior leader at a private golf club or other similar facility, experience in the hospitality industry beneficial.
• A self-starter and results-oriented work style combined with excellent communication and interpersonal skills with all the Club’s stakeholders.
• Strong professional deportment with a clear commitment to member service through an open and transparent customer/member approach.
• A strategic thinker with a strong business acumen that has the ability to identify opportunities for maximizing club revenues.
• Politically astute with the ability to identify potential issues and deal effectively with them while exercising tact and diplomacy.
• An entrepreneurial style combined with a background in all aspects of business management including business development, finance, information technology, human resources, risk management and performance management.
• Previous experience hosting national amateur or professional golf tournaments, championships, or major events an asset.
• Readily accepts and responds to challenges. Directly confronts problems and persists in finding a solution.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical conduct in words and deeds.
• Incorporates succession planning by preparing staff for key leadership roles.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory and matters affecting the Club.
• Displays a definite business presence complemented with personal drive, resourcefulness, maturity, integrity, and sound business judgment.
• Has experience reporting to a Board that has adopted a club governance structure and processes to lead the Club and GM to success.
• A post-secondary degree in business or a related discipline preferred.
• A Certified Club Manager designation (CCM) is preferred.

NOTE

The previous General Manager’s last day with the club is February 29, 2024 due to accepting another position within the club industry.

COMPENSATION

Earl Grey will offer a very attractive compensation package, commensurate with experience, which will include a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity and benefits.

INQUIRIES:

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should submit a resume along with a detailed cover letter which addresses the qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position by January 29, 2024.  The documents must be saved as a PDF (save as “Last Name, First Name, Earl Grey) and email to: execsearch@ggapartners.com.

 

Lead Search Consultants: 

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

 

George Pinches
Director
GGA Partners™
george.pinches@ggapartners.com

 

To learn more about the club please visit: https://www.earlgreygolfclub.com/