General Manager
Royal Colwood Golf Club

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Royal Colwood Golf Club is a private golf club located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Designed by Arthur Vernon Macan in 1913, Royal Colwood is a traditional style parkland championship course set amongst 450 year-old Douglas Firs and majestic Garry Oaks. The course continues to be ranked amongst Canada’s best. The membership of Royal Colwood includes all ages, skill levels, and walks of life, and is united by the common love for the grand game of golf. One of a select few in the world, Royal Colwood received its Royal designation from King George V in 1931. Royal Colwood members enjoy full reciprocal playing privileges at 68 private clubs, of which 42 enjoy the Royal designation, around the world.

ABOUT THE CLUB

Age of Club: 111
Entrance fee: $15,000
Annual dues: $4,500
Total Number of Members: 731
Total employees: 73

Vision, Mission, and Values:

VISION
To Be the Club of Choice on Vancouver Island

MISSION
To be the best golf club on Vancouver Island operated for the benefit of all members, their guests and future members, in a financially sound manner that promotes the game of golf, the unique heritage of our club and the benefits and responsibilities of private club membership.

VALUES

• Community of Members - We recognize and celebrate member contributions, accomplishments, shared values and common interests.
• Fun - Each and every day members have fun and enjoy their club.
• Stewardship - Each generation of members leaves the club in better condition for the next generation.
• Grow the Game - We further the development, growth and enhancement of the game of golf.
• Accountability - We conduct our business with sound financial management practices and in a transparent, fair, and consistent manner.
• Respect - We maintain positive and respectful relationships with employees, vendors, neighbours, local governments etc.

GENERAL MANGER RESPONSIBILITIES

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the elected President, and thereby the Board of Directors (Board) at large, the General Manager (GM) serves as chief operating officer of the Club. In alignment with the Club’s vision, mission and values, the GM’s primary role is to lead and ensure the effective operations of the Club, to build continuously the quality of the Royal Colwood experience by the Club’s members and guests, and ensure our course continues to be ranked and known as amongst Canada’s best.

• You will manage all aspects of the Club including; all activities; communications involving members, their guests, employees, community, government and industry; coordination of the development, and implementation of marketing programs for member recruitment and food and beverage services. You will be responsible for all operating policies and procedures, for developing, implementing, and monitoring the operating and capital budgets, and for controlling costs, and for all human resource policies and processes.
• You will lead the management team, demonstrate modern and innovative leadership practices and will promote a positive, engaging and superior service culture. You are a pro-active, empowering leader and developer of teams, ensuring that appropriate superior standards of operation are in place and consistently executed.
• Highly visible and interactive, you are professional in personal style, demeanor and presence, and are comfortable interacting with our members, guests, staff and all other stakeholders. You possess proven experience leading a team of friendly, engaging and passionate staff who are sincere about delivering an excellent member experience. Extensive and progressive management experience in a well-regarded hospitality, private club or exceptional member/guest service environment is required. Experience leading a golf club will be a definite asset.
• You must be able to demonstrate strong financial literacy, proven skills relevant to success in a changing golf club world, and have an intuitive strength in building consensus, setting clear and measurable goals, and executing effectively to meet these targets. You understand the elements of good governance, best practices, human resource management and legislative responsibilities. Leader and developer of teams, ensuring that appropriate superior standards of operation are in place and consistently executed.

The GM will be responsible for the following:

• Implements and administers all policies and direction established by the Board and provides strategic advice and recommendations to the Board and Committees about all matters of operation. Attends and records meetings of the Club’s Executive Committee and Board and coordinates and serves as ex-officio member of appropriate Club committees.
• In alignment with Board direction and approval, leads development of the Club’s annual business plan and provides regular reports to the Board on progress.
• For effective Club operations, develops, implements and evaluates operational policies, programs, initiatives, procedures and processes, ensuring the Club is operated in accordance with all applicable local, provincial and federal laws and ensuring the appropriate care and maintenance of all the Club’s physical assets and facilities.
• Leads development of operating and capital budgets according to the budget calendar, monitors monthly and other financial statements, manages cash flow and establishes controls to safeguard funds and proposes effective corrective actions to the Board as required. This includes ensuring compliance with purchasing policies and procedures.
• Leads development, implementation and evaluation of marketing initiatives for member recruitment and retention and ensures a strong new member orientation experience to all aspects of the Club.
• Establishes and pursues opportunities for promotion and marketing of the Club’s facilities and services.
• Develops and maintains a robust communications strategy for internal and external audiences to support the effective recruitment and retention of members, ensure a professional, high-quality guest and member experience, and safeguard the well-regarded reputation of the Club. This includes leadership presence and connection with members and guests and developing and implementing feedback opportunities and/or surveys of members’ satisfaction to identify actions to improve member and guest experience at the Club.
• Represents the Club locally, nationally and internationally and communicates the Club’s positions in discussions with neighbours, community, governments, and the golf industry to enhance the prestige of the Club, protect the interests of the Club, and support the community.
• Supervises all department heads ensuring the highest standards and effective operation of their respective departments and the effective operation of the managerial team at large. This includes developing and implementing human resources programs, initiatives, policies and procedures to ensure effective recruitment, training, development, and retention of motivated, engaged and service-oriented staff. The GM also serves as the representative of the Club as employer in negotiating the union agreement for grounds crew employees.
• Maintains membership with the Club Management Association of Canada and other professional associations. Attends conferences, workshops and meetings to keep abreast of current information and developments in the field.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leadership and empowerment skills – demonstrating modern and innovative leadership practices to ensure a positive, engaging and superior service culture.
• Passion for service excellence – pursues and ensures a culture of superior service through all Club operations.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills – highly visible, interactive, personable and professional and comfortable interacting with members, guests and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong strategic planning and implementation skills.
• Strong relationship builder with an intuitive strength in building consensus, fostering trust, listening to understand, and solving problems creatively.
• Exceptional results orientation and goal setting – strong administrative/managerial skills and exceptional results orientation with the ability to translate Board direction into actions and results and executing effectively to ensure success of Club operations.
• Strong financial literacy to effectively oversee all financial operations and ensure financial success.
• Proven skills relevant to success in a changing golf and club industry world.
• Proven skills providing internal and/or external data to support Board decisions and strategic direction. This is supported by developing good external and internal relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of good governance, best practices, human resource management and relevant legislation (e.g. BC Society Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, BC Liquor Control and Licensing Act, BC Employment Standards)

Direct Reports:

Food and Beverage Manager; Executive Chef; Director of Finance and Administration; Head Golf Professional; Golf Course Superintendent; and Maintenance Manager.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $160,000 - $230,000 and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The successful applicant will receive an attractive compensation package along with a comprehensive health benefits plan and pension program.

APPLICATION

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should complete an application, including a resume along with a detailed cover letter which addresses the qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position by June 10th, 2024.

The documents must be saved as a PDF (save as “Last Name, First Name, Royal Colwood).

Apply Now

Lead Search Consultants: 

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

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