Tag: assistant

What Are You Doing to Develop Future Leaders?

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One of the most important responsibilities for managers is developing the next generation of leaders and preparing them for the professional challenges they will face. The most obvious way to develop leadership qualities is simply to pay your knowledge forward by identifying the most important lessons you’ve learned — often the hard way — and passing them on to your team.

That responsibility starts with acknowledging that agronomic knowledge is simply table stakes. Knowing how to grow turf and keep it healthy is expected of anyone in the superintendent role, and most up-and-coming turf managers come to the job well prepared. GCSAA educational programs and the generous teaching of consulting specialists and suppliers go a long way in helping to lay this foundation. Certainly, the college of hard knocks provides its lessons as well.

But what lessons will you teach your assistants and crew members? And how can you help prepare them for their next opportunity to move into more responsible positions? In addition to making yourself available as a mentor, you can also broaden your own knowledge by paying attention to what your most respected peers consider their priorities. Here are suggestions from two of the best in the business.

Bill Cygan is the exceptional young superintendent at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, Connecticut. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Bill spent six years as an assistant at Innis Arden Golf Club in Greenwich and another six years caring for the West Course at Winged Foot.

Build strong relationships and communicate often.

“This is not easy and doesn’t happen overnight, but the stronger your relationships are at the club, the smoother the ride will be, especially during times of adversity,” Bill says. “Relationship building should include department managers — especially the golf pro, controller and general manager — as well as certain key members of the club, including the green chairman and treasurer, who can be important allies.”

Trust your teammates.

In addition to the administrative leaders with whom a successful superintendent works, Bill adds, “Be sure to build a strong team responsible for the daily golf course maintenance operations.” The strength of the team is your strength.

Carlos Arraya, the assistant general manager at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, began his career as a golf course superintendent and over two decades has grown into a key leadership position at one of America’s finest clubs, having hosted the 100th PGA Championship in 2019. Carlos teaches several key points of focus:

Lead the way.

“Understand your leadership style and voice,” he says, adding that managers who favorably influence the next generation of leaders practice mindfulness, leaving their ego at the shop door, putting the interests and needs of their crew ahead of their own and recognizing a job well done. Further, he recommends continue evolving as a leader to best handle the needs of a changing workforce.

Be present.

Some managers are overly focused on the next job, but Carlos counsels: “Focus on being great in your current role.” One can never know too much; by the same token, one can never know everything, so don’t pretend that you do.

Hone your own character.

Superintendents and managers of all descriptions work in the proverbial glass house. The key to being effective at each level is understanding that one is setting an example for others up and down the organizational chart. “Know the difference between an excuse and a reason,” he says. “And don’t fall into the trap of professional jealousy.”

Rely on science.

“(Superintendents) are trained in the scientific method. But sometimes we overreact and are too quick to make a decision,” he says. Club and course managers can pressure superintendents, especially when times are tough, to have immediate answers. “Be deliberate, rely on the science.”

Developing young people into experienced and highly effective crew members, ones who will one day lead their own operations, is one of the most important jobs of any superintendent. And only when you lose some of your best people, when they move on to the top job at another club or course, you will know that you’ve been successful.

This article was authored by Henry DeLozier for Golf Course Industry magazine. 

Executive Search: Assistant General Manager at Hampton Hall Club

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ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
HAMPTON HALL CLUB
Bluffton, SC

 

The Club:

Located in the heart of Bluffton, SC, the Club at Hampton Hall Club and Community is much more than a collection of amenities. The Club experience is focused on bringing people together – friends, family, members and guests – and it’s designed to evolve and adapt to the membership’s wants and needs. No one element exists on its own: the golf blends seamlessly with dining and the same is true for the tennis and pickleball program and the fitness center. Each piece relies on the other, and they all come together to form what the community calls the Total Experience. One that can be shared with the whole family and is the source of cherished memories again and again.

Hampton Hall Club and Community is a lifestyle community with 944 private residences. The stunningly unspoiled natural beauty of Hampton Hall’s private links-style golf course from legendary architect, Pete Dye, is a thrill to behold – in the early morning or late afternoon, from the tee box, the fairway, or simply walking through the neighborhood. A comprehensive golf practice facility allows members to work on their game before they play and the full menu and bar at Pete’s Grill gives them a place to celebrate after.

Members hit the courts to enjoy a variety of racket sports including tennis and pickleball. The tennis program is designed to appeal to newcomers and seasoned players alike, the friendly head professional focuses on not only improving members’ game but helps them learn to enjoy it more as well. A full calendar of clinics, mixers, and socials provides ample opportunities to meet new players and make new friends. The bocce and basketball courts are accompanied by a children’s playground to accommodate the large family demographic in the community.

Every amenity is designed for the entire family to enjoy, especially the Club’s lakeside zero-entry pool – a year-round resort-style poolside vacation where families, children, and grandchildren swim, play, and dine at the Splash Café in the summer. Plans are in place to expand all of these amenities for the future.

Conveniently located next to the swim and tennis complex, Hampton Hall’s state-of-the-art, full-service fitness center offers everything members need to live well. Whether they prefer swimming laps or lifting weights, they enjoy a quality workout in a clean, friendly facility staffed by experienced sports trainers and fitness instructors. Spa and massage rooms offer a full array of facials and massages by appointment. The 14,000 square foot fitness center offers a full-line of exercise equipment, personal training, fitness instruction, and a variety of daily group fitness classes. Within the facility is featured a 25-meter indoor pool for laps, swim lessons, water aerobics, and free swim.

At the heart of the community is the beloved Clubhouse, a 24,000 square foot gathering place where members meet up with friends, play cards and mah-jong, host a community club meeting, plan an event, or simply pass the time together.  The Club offers multiple dining rooms for every family or friend-filled gathering, from the formal Brasserie dining room, with vaulted ceilings and intricate wood detail, to a cozy spot in the Tavern Bar or Library room for a more casual atmosphere. The Club also boasts one of the largest ballrooms in the area for significant life or member events. Indoors, outdoors, big or small, whatever in the need, all are welcome at the Community Clubhouse.

Once you exit the gates of the Community, there is adventure that stretches out in every direction of Bluffton: shops and festivals, a stroll down Old Town Bluffton for eclectic shops and galleries, or excursions on the river and historic tours to see where yesterday meets tomorrow. Hilton Head beaches are a bridge away.

Hampton Hall Club Overview

 

  • 944 Members (Golf: 300)
  • Initiation Fee (Resident Member $6,000, Golf $5,000)
  • Annual Dues (Resident Member $4,383, Golf $5,440)
  • $7.50M Gross Volume
  • $3.90M Annual Dues
  • $1.27M Annual Golf Dues
  • $1.0M F&B Volume
  • $2.44M Gross Payroll
  • 78 Employees
  • 7 Board Members
  • Average age of members is 65

The Assistant General Manager Position:

The Assistant General Manager is ultimately responsible for all clubhouse, food and beverage, fitness, aquatics, tennis, and facilities operations daily, including the general housekeeping over these areas. The Assistant General Manager is responsible for all aspects of the operation in the absence of the General Manager and performs specific tasks as requested.

This managerial position works closely with, and reports directly to, the General Manager/COO, and provides quality leadership and contributes 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, recreation amenities, and events of the Club. In addition to building relationships with Club members, guests, and employees, he or she provides support to the respective committees and advisory groups as well. Being the “public face” of these operations with a hands-on approach and an understanding that full member and staff engagement is critical to success in this position.

The AGM consistently provides anticipatory hospitality along with superb dining and other food and beverage experiences for the Club’s membership and their guests. Alignment with the Executive Chef is very important to this position to ensure collaborative, innovative, harmonious relationships between front and back of house operations.

Primary Responsibilities

Member Services:

  • Consistent sincere and significant engagement of members, highly visible to members and staff in the dining areas of the club is of premium importance. The AGM is ultimately responsible to ensure that all member dining and club events are well-conceived and executed along with all amenities.
  • Provide quality leadership in a positive and upbeat manner for the members, guests and staff.
  • Create and maintain a first-class service culture throughout the club property and its amenities.
  • Address and resolve all member and guest complaints and suggestions, general service, employee attitude, maintenance, and presentation of the clubhouse operations.

Employee Relations:

  • Oversee the recruiting, hiring and development of clubhouse and recreational amenity personnel.
  • Oversee ongoing training programs complete with up-to-date training manuals to ensure exceptional service in all parts of the club’s operation.
  • Provides 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.
  • Ensures that a positive spirit and healthy work environment exists throughout the club operations, one that is free of safety risks and all forms of employee harassment.
  • Maintain an effective communication program where employees 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 Hampton Hall Club to be a preferred employer of choice in the community.

Financial Management:

  • Works jointly with the Controller and General Manager/COO to prepare the annual operating and capital budgets for all clubhouse and recreational operations, assists in managing and controlling the operations to attain the desired results.
  • Monitors the budget each week/month and directs the taking of corrective action as necessary to assure that the budgeted goals are attained.
  • Provides input to all clubhouse and recreation personnel regarding annual budgets, capital spending plans, fiscal controls and operational guidelines.
  • Responsible for all labor cost payouts and maintains them within the constraints of the budget and through close coordination and with approval from the General Manager/COO and Controller.
  • Monitors payroll records to control overtime and maintain labor costs within budgetary guidelines.
  • Supervises the purchasing, receiving, safekeeping and disbursement of operating supplies and equipment to maximize quality and profitability.

Personnel Management:

  • Displays very hands-on approach and leads the staff by example. Must be approachable to staff, members and guests.
  • Assists the General Manager/COO in developing and implementing long-range (strategic) and annual (business) plans, operating reports, forecasts and budgets.
  • Works with Human Resources to develop long term staffing needs for area of responsibility.
  • Responsible for the hiring, discipline, termination and documentation of all clubhouse and recreation staff.
  • Reviews all accidents, works with HR and Safety Committees in completing accidents reports and implementing improved procedures.
  • Attends meetings of senior management and carries out directives because of these meetings and any other requests of the General Manager in a timely manner.
  • Serves as an ad-hoc member of appropriate club committees and advisory groups.
  • A warm personality, a sense of humor and the ability to work effectively with all levels of the internal staff and members.
  • Works with Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Team to develop P&L statements prior to each event, makes appropriate notes following events and files information for future use.
  • Works with Executive Chef on menu development.
  • Works with the F&B Team to organize and market special club events with guidance of the Social Advisory Group.
  • Furthers 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 participates in appropriate seminars/training programs, thereby enhancing his/her value and quality of services to Hampton Hall Club.

Operational Responsibilities:

  • Understands and abides by Hampton Hall Club policies and departmental procedures. Suggests changes and may direct the implementation of change.
  • Provides content for and manages communications and marketing materials for department.
  • Assures that the Clubhouse operations and Recreational amenities are run in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
  • Ensures that the club’s preventive maintenance and energy management programs are on schedule and in use.
  • Disseminates information effectively and coordinates activities between departments on a timely basis.
  • Keeps the General Manager/COO informed of all potential problems and activities related to the smooth operation of the clubhouse and recreation amenities.
  • Oversees inventory management throughout departments and completes a periodic china, glass and silver inventory to maintain par levels.
  • Coordinates and approves all entertainment in consultation with the Food and Beverage Team and others.
  • A sharp eye for detail in the overall management of the operation.
  • Responsible for regularly reporting of performance and financial data, i.e. weekly report to General Manager/COO.

Direct Reports

Executive Chef, Food and Beverage Team, Dining Services Manager, Social and Events Director, Director of Facilities and Common Grounds, Sports and Recreation Director, Tennis Professional, Housekeeping.

Candidate Qualifications:

  • A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership and management experience in a private club environment.
  • A 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 January 18, 2021.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package including CMAA membership and continuing education.

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, February 5, 2021.

Documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Hampton Hall AGM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Hampton Hall AGM Resume”) respectively to: execsearch@ggapartners.com. Please email résumé with references.

For more information about Hampton Hall Club, please visit hamptonhallclubsc.com.

Executive Search: Assistant General Manager at Savannah Yacht Club

Date:

 

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
SAVANNAH YACHT CLUB

The Club:

The Savannah Yacht Club is a private, family-oriented Club dedicated to member satisfaction through superior service and quality facilities.

The Savannah Yacht Club was originated on June 14, 1869, as the Regatta Association of Chatham County and the association was succeeded seven years later on June 7, 1876, by the formal organization of the Savannah Yacht Club.

The Club offers a variety of recreational activities including sailing, boating, tennis, swimming, and several dining options. The active member participation and enjoyment of the Savannah Yacht Club can be attributed to sound management and mindful planning by the Board of Stewards.  Operational flexibility and an annual review of the policies, practices, and planned projects will assure the membership of the Club for many years of continued success.

The Position:

The Assistant General Manager is considered the “go-to manager” for the General Manager/COO.  He/she manages and is responsible for all aspects of the food and beverage program as well as the upkeep and appearance of conditions throughout the Clubhouse.  This individual will plan and implement complex annual budgets for the food and beverage and swimming pool operations as well as hire, train, and supervise subordinates.  The Assistant General Manager is directly responsible for the catering department, all food and beverage outlets, as well as the pool complex and housekeeping.  He/she will be responsible for continuous improvements for the operations of all the food and beverage outlets throughout the entire Club.

The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated professional with a proven and stable record of food and beverage management at a reputable private club, restaurant, or hotel – knowledge of fine wines and a strong sense of pairing wine with food is imperative.

The Assistant General Manager will have a proven work history that demonstrates knowledge and a steady upward career track in successful operations.  This personable professional is a member of the Executive Staff and will work with other department heads to ensure that the expectations of members and guests are exceeded.  He/she will be genuinely people-oriented, “visible” and readily accessible, and responsive to the membership.

Operational Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Assures that effective orientation and training for new staff, and professional development activities for exceptional staff, are planned and implemented. Develops ongoing professional development and training programs for food production, service and bar production/service personnel.
  • Helps plan and approve external and internal marketing and sales promotion activities for the department. Works on keeping Club functions/promotions for all Food and Beverage activities fresh and appealing to membership.  Ensures that an accurate reservations system is in place.
  • Helps plan and approve the organizational chart, staffing, and scheduling procedures as well as job description/specifications for all Food and Beverage departments, Pool Facility and Housekeeping staff.
  • Monitors purchasing and receiving procedures for front of the house products and supplies to ensure proper quantities, quality, and price for all purchases.
  • Maintains contact with members and helps to ensure maximum member satisfaction.
  • Oversees bar operation, develops wine list and bottle/glass wine sales promotion programs in conjunction with the Food and Beverage Service Manager and Bar Manager.
  • Responsible for correct handling procedures to minimize china and glassware breakage and food waste. Ensures storage areas are neat and orderly.
  • Maintains appearance, upkeep and cleanliness of all Food and Beverage equipment and facilities. Initiates ongoing facility inspections throughout the Club to assure that cleanliness, preventive maintenance, safety, and other standards are consistently attained.
  • Addresses member and guest complaints/suggestions and advises the General Manager/COO about appropriate actions taken.
  • Assists in planning and implementing procedures for special Club events and banquets functions.
  • Functions as an administrative link between departments.
  • Occasionally works as a department head when needed.
  • Manages all aspects of the Club in the absents of the General Manager/COO.

Financial Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Assists in developing the operating budget for Food and Beverage department outlets, the Pool Facility, and Housekeeping. After approval, monitors and takes corrective action as necessary to help ensure that budget goals are attained.
  • Ensures that all standard operating procedures for revenue and cost control are in place and consistently utilized.
  • Approves/reviews all invoices before submitting them to the accounting department.
  • Manages physical inventory verification and provides updated information to the Accounting department. Responsible for beverage inventory.
  • Responsible to the proper accounting and reconciliation for point-of-sale system and member revenues.
  • Audits and approves payroll sheets on as needed basis.

Summary:

Manages and is responsible for all aspects of the day to day Food and Beverage operation, Pool Facility, and Housekeeping.  Plans and implements budgets; hires, trains and supervises subordinates.  Plans, assigns and directs work; appraises performance; disciplines as required; addresses complaints and helps to resolve problems.  Directly responsible for catering and Food and Beverage needs throughout the property.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Assist the General Manager/COO in establishing and implementing long-range and annual plans, operating report, forecast and budgets.

More About Savannah Yacht Club:

1000 Members

$6M Gross Volume

$3M Annual Dues

$2M F&B Volume

100 Employees in-season

Average age of members is 57

Candidate Qualifications:

Given the active role this individual will be expected to play in the maintaining the standards of excellence of the Club, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience, and attributes:

  • A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership and management experience in club, restaurant or hotel management environment.
  • A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Hospitality Management or Business.
  • Certified Club Manager (CCM) preferred or in active pursuit of designation.
  • Must be proficient in all Microsoft applications. Jonas experience is preferred.

Note:

A pre-employment drug screen and background check will be required. The position becomes available January 1, 2020.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package, including Club Management Association of America (CMAA) dues and education, a comprehensive medical insurance program according to Club policy, 401k program with employer matching contribution, vacation, and professional development.

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 Friday January 3, 2020, and if possible, sooner. Those documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Savannah AGM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Savannah AGM Resume”) respectively to: pdelozier@globalgolfadvisors.com.

Patrick DeLozier
Director
GGA
(501) 258-2911

For more information on the Savannah Yacht Club: www.savannahyachtclub.org

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