Tag: executive search

Executive Search: General Manager for Beacon Hall Golf Club

Date:

                       

General Manager
Beacon Hall Golf Club
Aurora, Ontario

The Club

Located in Aurora, Ontario, Beacon Hall Golf Club (“the Club” or “Beacon Hall”) is a prestigious golf club that is consistently ranked in the top-100 courses outside the US and the top-10 in Canada. Founded in the 1980s, the Club’s vision was to appeal to golfers with a true passion for the game, a vision that guides the Club today. The Club offers its members:

  • A very limited membership, as open access to the first tee is a key part of the mission
  • A welcoming and friendly environment for all members
  • Active men’s, ladies, intermediate, senior and junior members sections
  • An inviting event and social calendar with excellent facilities for socializing and entertaining guests
  • A commitment to provide “best in class” dining and member services
  • The finest professional staff
  • Beacon Hall’s Performance Academy, opened in May 2018, offers the highest quality golf instruction, with excellence across a broad range of services including instruction and coaching, club fitting, equipment analysis and gapping, golf fitness and personalized programming
  • A scholarship/caddie program unique to Beacon Hall
  • A full range and short game practice facilities

The Position

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for supporting the mission and vision of Beacon Hall Golf Club. This executive has operational management authority over the daily operations of the Club, as well as establishing short- and long-term organizational goals, objectives, plans, and policies, made in conjunction with the Board and its strategic vision and mission statement. This dynamic individual will work with the Board of Directors and Committees to provide those service levels and facilities emblematic of an elite private club. The individual must be driven in the view that the status quo is never good enough.

The GM reports to the Board of Directors through the President of the Board. The Board of Directors consists of nine elected members, three of whom are elected by the members of the Club each year for a three-year term. Standing committees include Facilities, Finance, Golf, Greens and Membership.

The GM must be professional and highly respectful in their personal style, demeanor and presence, and someone who recognizes and is comfortable interacting with all demographics of members, staff and other constituents who contribute to the success of the club. Visibility and name recognition are basic foundations of such success, and this style must be a critical competency of the top executive. He/she must be able to clearly and intuitively “walk the talk,” exemplifying how to perpetuate a true top “Club Experience” commensurate with what is one of the top golf clubs in North America.

The GM will be responsible for the following:

Membership Experience:

  • Develop and deliver a consistently outstanding member experience commensurate with specified member expectations and in keeping with a premier Tier 1 private golf club.
  • Manage all aspects of the Club’s activities to ensure and maintain the highest standards, quality of activities, and service and levels of member satisfaction.
  • Oversee the membership sales process and support the transaction between buyer and selling. This involves ensuring that all new club members are “met” and properly oriented to the Club.

Operational Excellence:

  • Develop and implement best-in-class and industry-leading operating policies, programs, procedures and methods while directing the work and promoting the development of all departmental managers.
  • Monitor long and short-term financial objectives and reporting. In consultation with the Board and Finance Committee, prepare and execute the financial plan for the Club as follows: (i) develop annual operating, cash, and capital budgets; (ii) monitor monthly budget and other financial information (iii) initiate effective corrective action, as required (iv) approve invoices and other arrangements before inception or payment; and (v) prepare and make timely financial reports to the Board.
  • Monitor and remain current with industry trends, and ensure Beacon Hall implements improvements as required. Play a key role in the development of the Club’s long-range strategic and annual tactical plans consistent with the Club’s vision and mission.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory matters affecting the Club.

People:

  • Maintain and develop a management philosophy that recognizes people are a key part in the foundation of the Club’s success in delivering a great membership experience and competitive advantage. Actively promote a positive work environment where teamwork is emphasized.
  • Develop and monitor basic human resource policies consistent with the Board’s desire to always treat employees fairly and remain compliant with all laws/regulations.
  • Manage and clearly define direct reports’ goals and objectives. Provide consistent feedback towards continuous improvement, and ensure appropriate personal development occurs, while incorporating succession planning for all key leadership roles.
  • Be visible and approachable to all employees.

Direct Reports

Golf Course Superintendent, Head Golf Professional, Clubhouse Manager, Controller, Communications Manager

Candidate Profile

Given the leading role this individual will play in achieving the strategic and business objectives of Beacon Hall, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience and attributes:

Leadership Skills:

  • A dynamic leader with the ability to build strong teams by motivating staff and leading by example. Has the ability to provide direction and expectations, performance feedback and recognition that leads to positive outcomes to enhance member experiences through inspiring department managers and employees. Exhibits leadership skills in team building, employee motivation and service training, and is respectful and professional in all interpersonal dealings.

Communication Skills:

  • Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to take a lead role in the development of all Club communications, working closely with the Communications Manager.
  • Confident, professional and sensitive in all interactions including conflict resolution and mediation.

Business/Finance Skills:

  • 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.
  • An innovative and strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
  • Experience managing complex capital projects.
  • Direct experience with golf and food and beverage businesses.
  • Incorporates succession planning by preparing staff for key leadership roles.

Service Excellence:

  • Engages with the membership by providing a friendly and welcoming environment.
  • Operates with a member-centric mindset and takes the time to get to know the membership on a personal level.
  • Displays a service-first attitude and maintains excellence in daily interactions with club members, guests, and staff.
  • Schedules time at the Club to maximize engagement with all members and is committed to a service culture and excellence.

Governance Knowledge/Private Club Experience:

  • Experience working with a Board and Committees at a club that has adopted a club governance structure and process.
  • Confident enough to ask questions, make recommendations to the Board and engage in meaningful discussions.
  • Active in the Club Managers Association of Canada and other professional associations. Attends selected conferences, workshops and meetings to keep abreast of current information and industry trends. A CCM designation and other industry credentials are desired.

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 September 12th at 5:00pm EDT.

Documents are required to be submitted in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Beacon Hall GM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Beacon Hall 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 Beacon Hall Golf Club, visit beaconhall.com 

 

Executive Search: General Manager & Chief Operating Officer for Point Grey Golf & Country Club

Date:

                       

General Manager & Chief Operating Officer
Point Grey Golf & Country Club
Vancouver, BC

The Club

At its core, Point Grey is defined by those who belong to our club.
It’s been that way for the past century.
It will be that way for the next one, too.

Point Grey Golf & Country Club is a prestigious private golf club located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1922, the Club has a long history and is known for its beautiful course and high-quality facilities.

The Club features an 18-hole championship golf course that has hosted amateur and professional tournaments, including most recently the Canadian Amateur in 2022. The course is well-maintained, offering a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

Besides the golf course, the Club offers an exceptional, state-of-the-art practice facility called “The Farm” which complements the golf course perfectly. It was among the first clubs in North America to offer a TrackMan Range which provides extremely detailed swing and shot data. The Farm was completed in 2020 and offers all-season teaching facilities, becoming a very popular amenity among the membership. The Club also offers several dining options which have become a central component of the Club, including recently-refreshed indoor dining and a picturesque outdoor patio. The clubhouse is home to a fitness facility with state-of-the-art cardio equipment and other fitness hardware for member usage.

Mission:

To provide members with an exceptional private club experience by offering superior facilities, services and programs; while at the same time promoting friendship, participation and competition.

Vision:

A premier private club that:

  • Is built upon golf as the foundation of Club activities;
  • Serves a multi-generational membership by offering a range of social and recreational activities;
  • Consistently delivers high quality, easily accessible, facilities, services and programs; and
  • Provides a unique and harmonious environment for the enjoyment of families, children and adults.

Club Facilities:

  • 18-hole championship golf course
  • The Farm, best in class practice facility
  • Dining options including a picturesque outdoor patio and recently-refreshed indoor dining
  • Fitness area

Club Overview:

  • Active adult golf members: 900
  • Total members: 1,350
  • Initiation fee: $70,000
  • Annual dues: $8,000
  • Gross revenue: $9.4M
  • F&B revenue: $2M
  • Average member age: 52.3
  • Rounds of golf annually: 40,996 (2022)
  • Full-time equivalent employees: 60
  • Total active employees: 100

The Position

Role Summary

The GM/COO is responsible for the management of all aspects of the Club’s operations and activities and the implementation of strategy and policy directives given by the Board of Directors. The GM/COO reports directly to the Board.

Primary Job Responsibilities

  • Leading a world-class golf facility, ensuring an exceptional member and staff experience, and assisting the Board in creating a long-range strategic plan.
  • Hire, train, motivate, evaluate, appropriately compensate, inspire, lead, discipline and terminate staff in a professional and equitable manner including setting annual objectives for staff.
  • Expending monies and making financial commitments on behalf of the Club within budgeted limitations.
  • Administering Club rules and reporting member infractions or violations.
  • Guiding and assisting the Board in the development and formulation of Club strategies and policy.
  • Working with committees, as needed, to facilitate the formulation and execution of short- and long-term programs.
  • Attending all Board Meetings and where appropriate, attending Committee meetings.
  • Developing performance objectives and measures of progress.
  • Performing such other duties as the Board may specify.

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate possesses strong interpersonal skills, is a proven collaborator and relationship builder who possesses the following core competencies, experience and attributes:

  • 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.
  • An ability to implement capital improvement projects, and drive to identify industry best practices and achieve key benchmarks.
  • A dynamic leader and motivator that prides themselves on the accomplishments of their team and the willingness to provide ongoing constructive feedback.
  • Demonstrates exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills.
  • Member experience-driven and service culture 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

  • Experience as a leader in a private club environment or other similar top tier facility.
  • A passion and understanding of what it means to deliver a consistently excellent member experience.
  • Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, including overseeing the development of large capital improvement projects.
  • 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.
  • Extremely skilled in financial and budgeting processes.

Compensation

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

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 September 1st, 2023, at 5:00pm PST.

Documents are required to be submitted in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Point Grey GM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Point Grey 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 Point Grey Golf & Country Club, visit https://pointgreygolf.com/

 

GGA Partners Expands Executive Search Practice, Appoints Kathy Grayson, Director

Date:

Grayson brings GGA’s fast-growing search practice over 35 years’ experience in executive recruitment, career coaching, and organizational leadership across the private club industry.

July 20, 2023

GGA Partners, an international consulting firm working with some of world’s leading golf courses, private clubs, resorts, and residential communities, announced today the appointment of Kathy Grayson as Director in the firms’ Executive Search practice.

“Kathy is a proven leader with a strong executive recruitment background. Her energy and ability to connect with employers and private club leaders at all levels are immediately evident,” stated Michael Gregory, Partner and Managing Director at GGA Partners. “Kathy brings the track record and experience that will benefit our growing Executive Search practice immensely.”

Grayson comes to GGA Partners with a distinguished record of executive recruitment experience. Most recently, she served as Executive Recruiter and Career Consultant with the PGA of America, where she was instrumental in growing their executive search services. In this role, Grayson provided strategic direction and leadership through proprietary expertise in career coaching, behavioural assessment, and education.

Prior to joining the PGA of America, Grayson served as Director of Global Events and Sales Manager at Callaway Golf Company and as Regional & Strategic Accounts Manager at the Antigua Group.

“I have always admired and respected the GGA brand, and I am honored to join the GGA Partners Executive Search team,” said Grayson. “My years of experience in career coaching and executive recruitment has taught me that building and fostering relationships is paramount. So, I look forward to working with GGA clients across the country to build and grow effective teams that meet club objectives and elevate members’ experience.”

Grayson is an active member in the private club industry, serving as a member of the National Club Associations’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, speaker at regional and national PGA events and is a Guest Speaker at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Grayson will begin her role with GGA Partners in August 2023 and will be based in Bonita Springs, Florida.

About GGA Partners (www.ggapartners.com)

GGA Partners™ is an international consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s most successful private clubs, resorts, and residential communities. We 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, our global team of experienced professionals leverage in-depth business intelligence and proprietary global data to deliver impactful strategic solutions and lasting success.

GGA Partners has offices in Toronto, Canada, Phoenix, West Palm Beach, USA, and Dublin, Ireland.

For further information, contact:

Michael Gregory
Partner & Managing Director
t: 416.524.0083
e: michael.gregory@ggapartners.com

 

Executive Search: Assistant General Manager for Caledon Ski Club

Date:

                       

Assistant General Manager
Caledon Ski Club
Caledon, Ontario

The Club

The second-largest private ski club in Southern Ontario, Caledon Ski Club (“the Club”), is a club where members enjoy high quality, family-oriented, competitive and recreational skiing, snowboarding and other multi-seasonal activities and social experiences. The Club is proud to share the 55 acres of skiable terrain with its members year-round in a welcoming and picturesque environment. The Club is financially stable, carries no debt and maintains a healthy capital reserve available for future planned improvements and lodge expansions.

For more information on Caledon Ski Club, visit https://caledonskiclub.com/

The Position

Reporting to the General Manager, this position is responsible for ensuring the service and safety expectations and are met for our Membership and their guests. The Assistant General Manager will supervise the Food and Beverage and Events Programming to ensure that programming and Member Experience is of the highest quality at all times. In addition, this role is responsible for the administration of our Health and Safety and WSIB Programs at the Club.

Primary Job Responsibilities

  • Work with the Food and Beverage Manager on yearly objectives to continually improve and maintain our Food and Beverage offering at the Club
  • Oversee and attend the special events at the Club and work with the Events Coordinator and the Food and Beverage team to ensure a premium experience for all in attendance
  • Ensure that operations in areas of responsibility are adequately supervised and follow industry best practices to minimize risk and to provide a quality product or programming
  • Attend meetings and provide input in to the Club’s Member Experience Committee as it relates to Food and Beverage and Members Social Programming
  • Represent the Club on the Health and Safety Committee and oversee its function to ensure that existing high standards and culture remain constant
  • Ensure the Club’s staff training and associated delivery methods are reviewed and implemented per best practices
  • Review the Sustainable Slopes program and provide structure to ongoing improvements with the Food and Beverage and Events Teams
  • Provide input into all Club Communications and ensure that the Club communications are consistent, timely and coordinated across all platforms.
  • Assist the General Manager with specific projects related to Club operations and service improvements
  • Perform annual reviews for both the Event and Food and Beverage Managers
  • Handle all Club related matters with a great amount of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability
  • Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Degree or Diploma in Hospitality
  • Relevant Hospitality, Events supervision and Management experience in a not-for-profit or Private Club environment is an asset
  • Experience and familiarity with winter sports and skiing is preferred
  • Skilled in people management with a proven track record of service level improvement across multiple departments
  • Ability to build and foster a high-performance team that is able to meet our Membership and Guest expectations including recruitment of staff on an annual basis
  • Knowledge of required applicable legislation, best practices in respect to Food and Beverage, and Event operations
  • Computer proficiency with programs to design and manage communications and templates
  • Focused on delivering high levels of service and responding to all inquiries/requests in a professional manner and with a sense of urgency
  • Demonstrated skills in time management, planning and organization
  • Confident, energetic with ability to build credibility with staff at all levels
  • Proven ability to be proactive and use good judgment
  • Excellent communication skills – verbal, written & presentation
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal & external stakeholders
  • Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and be resourceful
  • Able to maintain confidentiality / privacy of information
  • Able to work weekends and holidays during the ski season and when required for Food and Beverage, Event operations during the off season
  • Will perform their duties and ensure that they work in accordance with Caledon’s Health & Safety Policy and Procedures as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Must follow all manuals, handbooks, rules and regulations provided in the course of employment at Caledon Ski Club

Compensation

The Club will offer an attractive compensation package, commensurate with experience, which will include a competitive base salary, bonus, 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 Sunday, July 30th at 5:00pm EDT. If you require any accommodations to be considered for this position, please include that information in your submission. Those documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Caledon Ski Club AGM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Caledon Ski Club AGM Resume”) respectively to: execsearch@ggapartners.com.

We thank all applicants for their interest but will only contact those selected for an interview. Please email resume with references.

 

Lead Search Consultant: 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Executive Search: General Manager for Sewickley Heights Golf Club

Date:

                           

General Manager
Sewickley Heights Golf Club
Sewickley, Pennsylvania

The Club

Over 60 years ago, five men had a vision to turn land that was planned to be an airport into Sewickley Heights Golf Club. The centerpiece of this private club is the James G. Harrison- designed, 7,029-yard, par 71 golf course that meanders across rolling hills amid mature landscape.

After golf, members have the option of enjoying both casual and fine dining in the Club’s four venues, including al fresco dining and cocktails on the newly constructed outdoor patio. The Semple ballroom, named after founding member and former USGA President Bud Semple, is host to weddings and special events for up to 200 guests throughout the year.

In 2022, the Club embarked on the development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan. This process involved a top-to-bottom examination of the Club’s governance model, market position, operations, membership structure, utilization, communications efforts, and finances that enabled the Board to set strategic initiatives that now serve as the guide to meet the needs of our existing members as well as those who will join in the future.

Sewickley Heights Golf Club Overview

  • 523 memberships (Golf: 417, Social: 106)
  • Initiation fee (Resident Member Golf: $10,000)
  • Annual Dues (Golf: $8,544)
  • $5.40M Gross volume
  • $2.86M Annual dues
  • $1.12M F&B volume
  • $2.60M Gross payroll
  • 100 Employees (during peak season)
  • 12 Board members
  • Average age of members is 55

The General Manager Position

The person chosen as the General Manager of Sewickley Heights will:

  • Report to the Board and coordinate with the Board President on a regular basis.
  • Implement policies established by the Board and the Club’s By-Laws.
  • Assume responsibility for the creation and implementation of standard operating procedures for all areas of the Club that execute on the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
  • Help to facilitate a team environment based on positive morale, high ethical standards, and efficient use of resources to position Sewickley Heights GC as a preferred employer of choice in the community.
  • In conjunction with the Finance team, prepare an annual operating and capital budget and manage operations to attain desired results established by budgets.
  • Coordinate all management functions, working with committee chairs to develop proposed policies, programs, and events.
  • Serve as lead coordinator of programming, developing synergy among all departments.
  • Oversee internal and external marketing strategies for membership growth and increased member engagement.
  • Be highly visible to members and staff.
  • Establish and communicate the standard for staff to provide first-class hospitality.

Important Individual Characteristics

  • A naturally enthusiastic personality and passion for the club management profession.
  • A natural leadership style which promotes staff and membership engagement.
  • Ability to act as a thought partner with the Board and committees.
  • Possess effective written and verbal communications skills.
  • Disciplined follow-through to ensure the vision and goals of the Club are met.
  • Ability to cultivate a high level of member services and satisfaction.
  • Possess a strong understanding of top-notch food and beverage experiences for Club members and guests.
  • Effective fiscal management through delivery of actual operational and capital results in alignment with approved budgets.
  • Understanding of the importance of digital communications, with the ability to utilize web and social media tools to communicate with staff and the membership.
  • Ability to develop a dedicated team with a shared vision.

Candidate Qualifications

  • A minimum of five years of progressive leadership and management experience in a private club environment. Along with General Managers, current Assistant General Managers or Clubhouse Managers at well-recognized clubs, with verifiable records of achievement will also be considered.
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred, preferably in Hospitality Management or Business.
  • Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation or desired future attainment of designation preferred.
  • Note: A pre-employment drug screen, background check, and reference check will be required.

Salary & Benefits

The salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package.

Inquiries

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 August 9, 2023.

Documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Sewickley Heights Golf Club GM Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Sewickley Heights Golf Club GM Resume”) respectively to: execsearchus@ggapartners.com. Please email résumé with references.

Lead Search Executive

Dee Anna Clarke
Director
GGA Partners™
deeanna.clarke@ggapartners.com

For more information about Sewickley Heights Golf Club, please visit www.shgc.org

Executive Search: Clubhouse Manager for Islington Golf Club

Date:

                       

Clubhouse Manager
Islington Golf Club
Toronto, Ontario

The Club

Islington Golf Club is a wonderful Stanley Thompson designed private club located in the west end of Toronto. The Club is an easy escape from the hustle of the downtown scene and prides itself on being a golf-focused club with a thriving year-round social scene. With a rich history, the Club is celebrating its centenary year in 2023. The Club has a friendly environment and a progressive strategic vision, having emerged from significant capital projects to the course and clubhouse with a renewed spirit that has propelled the club to new heights.

The Club offers its members access to a traditional amenity profile and first-class service throughout the club. Currently, the Club is home to a championship golf course, netted driving range, short game practice area, spacious clubhouse containing various dining options, and a recently renovated patio overlooking the 18th hole. The other dining amenities include the Fireside Bar, a new pizza oven, and several other dining outlets for members to enjoy. The Club is currently engaged with an architect to develop a Clubhouse Master Plan for the next stage of improvement for the future.

Islington was announced as the Club of the Year by The Club Management Association of Canada in 2019.

The Position

Role Summary

Islington Golf Club is excited to announce an exceptional career opportunity, joining their strong team as the Clubhouse Manager. Reporting to the General Manager, the Clubhouse Manager will provide leadership and management of the food and beverage department, locker room and maintenance staff. The Clubhouse Manager will oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of all food and beverage areas and the clubhouse facility. This individual will work closely with the Club’s Executive Chef and Catering Manager to execute an operation with multiple outlets including a banquet room, dining room, casual lounge, bistro bar and a newly renovated patio overlooking the 18th hole.

Primary Job Responsibilities

  • Organize, direct, and evaluate food and beverage service including both front of house and kitchen operations.
  • Manage and oversee all daily operations of all food and beverage areas and the clubhouse facility.
  • Manage supplier relationships including product selection, pricing, and promotions.
  • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Ensure all team members understand and maintain operating standards.
  • Promote a positive work environment and culture by maintaining strong, supportive relationships with all team members.
  • Recruitment and training of staff.
  • Motivate F&B Staff and create a training program to provide exceptional customer service.
  • Monitor staff performance and provide feedback.
  • Maintain a positive workplace environment for the staff.

Qualifications

  • The successful candidate will have a minimum of three years’ experience as a Food and Beverage Manager, Restaurant Manager, Clubhouse Manager, or a similar position in the hospitality-related industry.
  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Hospitality Management or Business is an asset.
  • Must demonstrate a proven record of developing a cohesive team with service, culinary and clubhouse maintenance that delivers a high level of service. With ongoing training, monitoring and evaluation of the service staff, this individual will lead from the front, being visible on the floor and interacting with all members.
  • Has an extensive knowledge of wine, beer, and spirits along with staying current on food and beverage trends in the industry.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and operating a POS system – knowledge of Jonas program is an asset.
  • An advanced knowledge in developing and monitoring a budget and providing financial and statistical analysis of the operation is important.
  • A team player with strong communication skills and a passion for customer service excellence.
  • This position requires flexible work hours including evenings and weekends.

Compensation

The Club offers an excellent working environment and a compensation package that is very competitive and commensurate with experience. It has both salary and potential bonus opportunities as well as a complete benefits package and professional development opportunities.

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 July 30th, 2023, at 5:00pm PST.

Documents are required to be submitted in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Islington Clubhouse Manager Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Islington Clubhouse Manager 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 Islington Golf Club, visit www.islingtongolfclub.com

 

Executive Search: Food & Beverage Manager for Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Club

Date:

                           

Food & Beverage Manager
Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Club
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

The Club

Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Club is situated in the breathtaking Providenciales. The prestigious golf club features an exceptional 18-hole championship course, consistently ranked among the top 5 golf courses in the Caribbean. Recently renovated with Platinum Paspalum grass, the new industry standard, the course boasts impeccable conditions for an unparalleled golfing experience.

Catering to both seasoned players and novices, the Club offers four sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels, as well as various practice amenities, including a full-service pro shop, warm-up nets, and chipping and putting areas. Additionally, the Club offers flood-lit tennis courts and other facilities for your enjoyment.

Since 1992, the challenging layout has delighted both club members and visitors from resorts, drawing many returning players who seek to conquer our unique “target-style” course.

When it’s time to refuel, members and guests indulge in the delightful ambiance of RTCGC’s #19 Restaurant & Bar, located within the Club. Open for breakfast, lunch, early supper, or even a quick business meeting, the restaurant is the perfect spot to savor delicious meals or catch up on sporting events. Customers enjoy an extensive selection of wines, beers, cocktails, and coffee while perusing a fun and healthy menu, featuring delectable sandwiches and quick bites. Diners are able to take in the breathtaking views of the 18th hole while enjoying their meal.

The Position

The Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Club is now advertising for a full time Food & Beverage Manager. This position will be responsible for managing the “#19 Restaurant & Bar” servicing daily golfers (tourists and members) along with hosting golf tournaments and private functions.

The ideal candidate should be reliable, flexible, a team player and a proven leader. International and/or golf course experience will be viewed positively.

This is a full-time position. The successful applicant should have both restaurant managerial experience (including functions/banquets), with good knowledge of front of house and kitchen/chef operations.

This position will require working weekends, some evenings and public holidays due to the nature of the industry, and therefore having a flexible schedule is a requirement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational:

  • Organize, direct, and evaluate food and beverage service including both front of house and kitchen operations.
  • Manage and oversee all daily operations of the restaurant.
  • Selection and creation of food and beverage menus (restaurant, beverage cart and tournaments/banquets).
  • Manage supplier relationships including product selection, pricing, and promotions.
  • Ensure smooth operation of private functions/golf tournament banquets.
  • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Personnel:

  • Shift scheduling for all food and beverage operations.
  • Ensure all team members understand and maintain operating standards.
  • Promote a positive work environment and culture by maintaining strong, supportive relationships with all team members.
  • Recruitment and training of staff.
  • Motivate F & B Staff and create a training program to provide exceptional customer service.
  • Monitor staff performance and provide feedback.
  • Maintain a positive workplace environment for the staff.

Qualifications and Skills

  • Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership and management experience in a club or hospitality 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 but not required.

Compensation:

The successful applicant will receive an attractive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications along with a comprehensive health benefits plan and Government Pension Plan (NIB).

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 July 13th, 2023 at 5:00pm PST.

Documents are required to be submitted in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Royal Turks F&B Manager Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Royal Turks F&B Manager Resume”) respectively to: execsearchus@ggapartners.com.

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

Lead Search Consultant

Dee Anna Clarke
Director
GGA Partners™
deeanna.clarke@ggapartners.com

For more information about Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Club, please visit royalturksandcaicosgolf.com

Executive Search: Clubhouse Manager for Long Cove Club

Date:

                           

Clubhouse Manager
Long Cove Club
Hilton Head,  South Carolina

The Club

Long Cove Club, located in the heart of Hilton Head, SC, is considered one of the island’s best-kept secrets. Small by design, with just over 600 acres, the natural beauty and casual elegance of our community reflects the relaxed and unpretentious lifestyle, as well as a commitment to excellence in all aspects of the operation.

The Top-100 ranked Pete Dye golf course sets the tone for the community as it sweeps through the salt marsh, lagoons, pine and live oak forests that surround it. Beyond world-class golf, members enjoy the deep-water marina, racquet sports, bocce, casual and elegant dining, a heated, saline, Junior Olympic-size swimming pool and a robust social calendar.

To say the members have quietly enjoyed the good life here for over three decades is an understatement. Long Cove Club provides a truly extraordinary way of life filled with all the activity members could hope for or all the solitude they could want.

Long Cove Club Overview

  • 570 members
  • Initiation fee $35,000
  • Annual Dues $16,458
  • $12.00M Gross volume
  • $8.70M Annual dues
  • $1.7M F&B volume
  • $5.1M Gross payroll
  • 91 Employees
  • 9 Board members
  • Average age of members is 67

The Clubhouse Manager Position

The Clubhouse Manager is responsible for all aspects of food & beverage operations, including budget preparation and committee support, ensuring outstanding member experiences, and encouraging goodwill amongst members, guests, and Team Members. Reporting to the General Manager and collaborating with the Executive Chef, the Clubhouse Manager ensures collaborative and innovative relationships between Front and Heart-of-House operations.

At Long Cove Club, our Clubhouse Manager serves as the center of Service Excellence & Hospitality for both our Members and Team Members. This Leader is responsible for ensuring that our Team core values – Loyalty, Collaboration and Creativity – are alive and present every day and reflected in the culture throughout Long Cove. This Leader’s primary focus is to provide the highest level of hospitality for our Members by focusing on the smallest of details and anticipating the needs of our members. They value collaboration, implementing strong disciplines in service excellence, and building a unified and cohesive team. This Leader will encourage and foster an environment of creativity by valuing Team Member participation, involvement, and contributions that directly impact their work. The Clubhouse Manager will promote opportunities for personal and professional growth and development of all Team Members, while constantly striving for daily improvement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Member Services:

  • Consistent, sincere and significant engagement of members and staff in the dining areas of the club is of premium importance. The Clubhouse Manager is ultimately responsible to ensure that all member dining and club events are well-conceived and executed.
  • Exhibit quality and positive leadership skills to create and maintain a first-class service culture throughout all areas of the club.
  • Address and resolve all member and guest interactions and suggestions, general service, employee attitude, maintenance, and presentation of the clubhouse operations.

Employee Relations

  • Supports the recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, and development of clubhouse and service personnel. Ensure that all Team Members have been orientated and confidently equipped to provide exceptional service in all aspects of the club’s operation.
  • Develop, collaborate and execute training exercises & programs for all team members under their direction in a fiscally responsible manner.
  • Encourage all employees to work together as a team.
  • Coach, counsel, and evaluate departmental Team Members to ensure they are held accountable to perform at the highest level. Foster a positive work environment, free of safety risks and all forms of employee harassment.
  • Maintain an effective communication program with Members, guests, partners, vendors, and Team Members throughout the club to provide consistent, pertinent, and timely information throughout the club.
  • Guarantee that all clubhouse team members are regularly trained and certified in areas that help guard the safety and well-being of our members, guests and other team members including, but not limited to responsible alcohol service, safe food handling, etc.
  • Help to facilitate a team environment based on positive morale, high ethical standards and efficient use of resources to position Long Cove Club to be a preferred employer of choice in the community.

Financial Management

  • Work jointly with the CFO and General Manager to prepare the annual operating and capital budgets for all clubhouse and recreational operations. Throughout the year, manage and monitor budget each week/month and direct corrective action as necessary to assure that the budgeted goals are attained and proactively adjusted through forecasting models on a regular basis.
  • Communicate annual budgets, capital spending plans, fiscal controls and operational guidelines to all clubhouse and recreation team members.
  • Responsible for all labor cost payouts, maintaining said costs within the constraints of the budget and through close coordination with, and approval from, the General Manager and CFO.
  • Monitor payroll records to control overtime and maintain labor costs within budgetary guidelines. Proactively and creatively make adjustments needed to maintain correct staffing levels to properly service our members.
  • Supervise the purchasing, receiving, safekeeping and disbursement of operating supplies and equipment to maximize quality and profitability.

Personnel Management

  • Display a hands-on approach and lead the team by example. Must be approachable to members, guests, and team members.
  • Assist the General Manager in developing and implementing long-range (strategic) and annual (business) plans, operating reports, forecasts and budgets.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources to develop long-term staffing needs for the area of responsibility as well as hire, discipline, terminate and document Clubhouse staff.
  • Review all accidents; work with HR and Safety Committees in completing accidents reports and implementing improved procedures.
  • Attend meetings of senior management and carry out directives resulting from these meeting along with any other requests of the General Manager.
  • Serve as an ad-hoc member of appropriate club committees.
  • Work with Executive Chef and appropriate F&B leaders to develop P&L statements prior to each event, makes appropriate notes following events and files information for future use.
  • Work with Executive Chef on menu development.
  • Work with the appropriate F&B leaders to organize and market special club events with the guidance of the Social Committee.
  • Further continued development as a club management professional through membership in CMAA. With the assistance and approval of the General Manager, participate in appropriate seminars/training programs, thereby enhancing value and quality of services to Long Cove Club.

Operational Responsibilities

  • Understand and abide by Long Cove Club policies and departmental procedures. Suggests changes and, if approved, direct the implementation of change.
  • Assure Clubhouse operations and Recreational amenities are run in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
  • Research new products/services/vendors, develop an analysis of their costs/benefits and when appropriate, provide recommendations to the General Manager.
  • Ensure the club’s preventive maintenance and energy management programs are on schedule and in use.
  • Disseminate information effectively and coordinate activities between departments on a timely basis.
  • Keep the General Manager apprised of all potential problems and activities related to the proper operation of the clubhouse and recreation amenities.
  • Oversee inventory management throughout departments and complete a periodic china, glass, and silver inventory to maintain correct par levels.
  • Coordinate and approve all entertainment in consultation with the appropriate club leaders.
  • Possess a sharp eye for detail in the overall management of the club facilities, amenities, and operation.
  • Responsible for conducting regularly scheduled meetings with his leadership team and reporting of performance and financial data, i.e. weekly report to General Manager.

DIRECT REPORTS

  • Dining Room Manager
  • Assistant Clubhouse Manager
  • Clubhouse Activities Coordinator
  • Housekeeping
  • Dining Room Shift Leaders

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in designing and implementing training programs to ensure a consistent, high-quality member and guest experience.
  • Must be an analytical thinker and data driven decision maker with experience in member survey analysis and plan of action programming.
  • Is a passionate leader with strong food and beverage credentials and a proven track record of providing premium-level hospitality services, with a personality that is commensurately appropriate for Long Cove Club culture.
  • Is a proven operational leader who can manage his or her time and establish priorities, to which he or she is accountable to execute against.
  • Has a verifiable track record of successfully leading and growing a dynamic food and beverage program, recreational programs and clubhouse operations including building revenues, controlling costs, and meeting or exceeding planned and budgeted bottom line goals and objectives
  • Is a “relationship” person who is successful in finding solutions with all sides in mind.
  • Has an in-depth knowledge of wine, beer, and spirits. Has a thorough knowledge of multi-dimensional à la carte dining services, training, and service standards and processes, as well as strong and verifiable skills in developing and growing catering sales and banquets.
  • Is a highly motivated individual who is confident in his or her abilities, yet humble in personality; a person who can share the credit with their staff for achievements made and take responsibility when standards are not met.
  • Has a positive attitude and is professional in nature with a high degree of integrity and strong work ethic. Has the ability to handle a fast paced, high energy environment and clientele.
  • Exhibits a continuous desire to improve him/herself and a track record of developing strong and upwardly successful associates and direct reports.
  • Understands golf, fitness, aquatics and court sports and is knowledgeable of the traditions of the games.
  • Is a confident, proactive team builder who has a history of attracting, developing, and retaining high performance staff.
  • Has an intuitive style resulting in a sincere and visibly engaged presence with members, guests, and staff; a truly engaging “people person.”
  • Has a fundamental understanding of what constitutes a “premier club experience” and the proven ability to execute to that level.
  • A professional career track record of operational achievement and stability with experience in a high volume, highly respected club, resort or hotel.
  • Proven leadership qualities with demonstrated ability to direct, coordinate and manage all facets of a club operation.
  • Must possess experience with Point of Sale systems and have excellent technology skills, including extensive use of Microsoft Office programs.
  • Possess financial acumen to understand club financials and manage budgets.
  • An overriding sense of quality consciousness that pervades every part of the clubhouse operation. This includes a high quality, courteous and efficient staff.
  • Sound and current knowledge of human resources practices, including wage and hour laws, employment and discharge, equal opportunity employment, OSHA and the full range of employee benefits.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills. Comfortable speaking in front of a wide variety of groups including staff and board committees. Communication with members, guests, and visibility are highly important attributes of the incoming Clubhouse Manager.

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 is preferred.
  • 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 August 15, 2023.

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 resumes along with a detailed cover letter which addresses the qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position by June 28, 2023.

Those documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Long Cove Clubhouse Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Long Cove Clubhouse Resume”) respectively to: execsearchus@ggapartners.com. Please e-mail resume with references.

Lead Search Executive

Dee Anna Clarke
Director
GGA Partners™
deeanna.clarke@ggapartners.com

For more information about Long Cove Club, please visit www.longcoveclub.com

Executive Search: General Manager for The Georgian Peaks Club

Date:

                       

General Manager
The Georgian Peaks Club
Thornbury, Ontario

The Club

For over 60 years, the Georgian Peaks Club (the “Peaks”) has been providing exceptional experiences for Southern Ontario’s most active families in a safe and rewarding environment. The Peaks provides the highest, longest, and most challenging terrain in the province including some of the best intermediate and beginner runs for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. The Peaks has 750 member families who enjoy 3 lodges, 5 lifts and over 24 runs. Here you will find the only ski area in Southern Ontario with enough vertical to hold a F.I.S. sanctioned Giant Slalom race and, our best-in-class Alpine programs are recognized across North America, consistently turning young athletes into Olympians.

The Peaks is located on the shores of Georgian Bay, 12 kilometers west of Collingwood and 5 minutes from Thornbury. Downtown Toronto is less than 2.5 hours away.

The Position

Role Summary

The General Manager (“GM”) is responsible for the execution of all strategic plan initiatives while fostering a culture of continuous operational and experiential excellence. Reporting to and working with the Board of Directors, this individual will bring the Peaks vision to life. The candidate’s willingness to take on bold challenges along with strong leadership and strategic capabilities, ensures the success of the Club while protecting its fiscal integrity.

Direct Reports

  • Director of Finance
  • Director of Alpine Programs
  • Director of Outside Operations
  • Director of Food and Beverage
  • Membership and Guest Services Manager
  • Membership Experience Manager

Position Responsibilities

The GM will be responsible for the following:

  • Oversee the complete operation of the Club in accordance with the direction and vision established by the Board and all applicable local and federal laws.
  • Build and maintain excellent relationships with members, staff, local government officials, leaders of other private ski clubs, etc.
  • Lead, coach, direct and mentor the management team which will include setting annual goals and objectives, performance evaluation and accountability.
  • Oversee the creation, approval and execution of annual business plans, annual budgets, annual capital plans and long term strategic and capital plans.
  • Provide an active presence at the club and be highly visible to the membership and staff.
  • Troubleshoot day-to-day operating challenges in a timely manner.
  • Oversee the Club’s, health and safety, security, and risk management programs – protecting members and employees as well as physical assets.
  • Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board, in a timely and accurate manner, providing necessary information 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.
  • 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.
  • Continuously strive to improve member and guest experience.
  • Oversee the new membership development initiative. Set and achieve targets for new membership numbers.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate member expectations through effective communication practices. Create a communication strategy including frequency, content and requests for feedback.
  • Solicit member feedback through pulse surveys.
  • Create, obtain approval for, and execute short and mid-term strategic plans.

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.
  • Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to build, grow and cultivate new and existing relationships.
  • Experience partnering with a Board of Directors.
  • Exceptional near term and long-range strategic thinking and planning capability
  • A ski or snowboard enthusiast.
  • An experienced visionary and transformational leader who can lead, coach, and motivate staff to take bold actions.
  • 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.
  • 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 June 18, 2023. Those documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Georgian Peaks Resume” and “Last Name, First Name, Georgian Peaks 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 The Georgian Peaks Club, visit https://www.georgianpeaks.com/

 

Leveraging Personality Research to Find Club Leaders

Date:

As the club industry continues to evolve following the COVID-19 pandemic, many clubs are facing the challenge of finding the next great Chief Operating Officer/General Manager (COO/GM).  The increase in retirements, a constrained talent pipeline, and the change in expectations of work-life integration contribute to an increasingly challenging talent acquisition environment.

Many clubs will turn to search firms to help find the right leader for their club. As part of the process, most firms conduct an introductory inquiry into the functional aspects of the position by identifying the requirements and the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities the club needs. While this is an important introduction to the position’s basics, it doesn’t necessarily identify the often hidden and interrelated needs unique to the club and the membership. To successfully conduct an executive search, a deeper understanding of the position is often necessary.

Using a research-based approach creates deeper, data-informed insights to target suitable candidates and enhance the success of the search.  In developing an understanding of the position and the club itself – its traditions, culture, and future aspirations – a more targeted approach can be used to locate the right candidate. This is accomplished by engaging multiple stakeholder groups at a club to identify the right candidate pool, attracting potential hires and correctly assessing fit, and placing a candidate with the best opportunity to help move the club forward.

Unlike traditional, industry connections-first processes focused on managerial skillsets, research can further clarify the unique considerations of each club to find suitable candidates. Examining the personality required of future leaders creates a depth of insight to help build the managerial environment, meet the members’ expectations, and position the club for long-term success.

Personality tests, which have been widely used for decades, are based on the four temperaments identified by Hippocrates:

  • supportive personality traits (e.g., supportive, thoughtful, considerate).
  • inspiring personality traits (e.g., persuasive, inspiring, personable).
  • driver personality traits (e.g., results-oriented, independent, ambitious).
  • analytical personality traits (e.g., systematic, structured, logical)

Unlike personality tests applied to potential candidates, GGA emphasizes the importance of the club’s expectations and environment to identify suitable candidates. This process includes pinpointing the specific operational skills and personality traits needed to be successful in the COO/GM position.  After meeting with the governing board and search committee to understand the specifics and unique considerations of the position, a multi-step research process is undertaken. This includes engaging staff and member stakeholder groups to help identify the right criteria for the position. We continue to collaborate with the club during the extensive interview and placement process, continuing through and past the placement as part of the extensive executive search process.

Our research in COO/GM executive searches has found that the most preferred personality traits relate directly to the need for leaders to demonstrate key components of empathy. Being personable is one of the most mentioned personality traits, followed by needing a professional demeanor and showing effective leadership characteristics.  Being friendly is also important, along with the need to have a natural ability to communicate with members and employees alike. Most importantly, these attributes are distributed across all four groups of the personality traits mentioned above (supportive, inspiring, driver, and analytical), indicating the need for balanced leaders that demonstrate an effective mix of personality traits.

While more than 35 personality traits have been identified as important, there is a high degree of overlap and alignment between the staff and membership (e.g., each group sees professionalism as incredibly important). However, differences also emerge between these two groups. Being friendly was the members’ most important inspiring personality trait while compassion was most important for employees. These differences demonstrate how each group’s preferences are driven by their interaction with the COO/GM (e.g., employees want a leader to show compassion, whereas members want a friendly leader). Personality traits also differ based on the club’s current needs, culture, and other dynamics identified during the search process.

While basic research can identify the unique needs of each club and even potential differences between stakeholder groups, a more detailed process paints a much deeper picture of what is required. Take professionalism, for example.  Everyone knows professionalism when they see it, but how does professionalism relate to other personality traits? Using our advanced analysis techniques, results indicate that professionalism is not simply a construct that exists on its own. When searching for a club leader, professionalism must be demonstrated across multiple other traits, such as how candidates listen, communicate, and how they establish approachability. Crucially, the importance varies across other personality traits, indicating clubs are looking for professionalism as related to some areas more than others.

Like leadership abilities and functional skills, personality is essential for a club to find its next successful COO/GM. Understanding the importance of and interaction between supportive, inspiring, driver, and analytical personality traits is an area that clubs, search committees, and potential candidates would be wise to focus on. While detailed research can help clubs understand unique needs, clubs and candidates should consider that when working with a search firm that emphasizes personality traits as part of their process, they will both be put in a better position to succeed.

Using a research process that goes beyond leadership skills and industry knowledge needed for a position allows search firms to:

  • Truly understand the needs of a club to help identify candidates with the best opportunity for success based upon the culture, situation, and specific stakeholder needs.
  • Understand what specific personality traits are essential for each club and how these behavioral considerations differ.
  • Go beyond the closely cultivated network of contacts looking to transition to seek out passive candidates who are not looking to change but could be interested in a position that aligns with who they are.

If you would like to learn more about our Executive Search services can help your club find its next club leader, please get in touch.

Michael Gregory, Managing Director & Partner
Contact Michael

Dee Anna Clarke, Director
Contact Dee Anna

Dr. Eric Brey, Ph.D.
Contact Eric

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