Description

Overview

GENERAL MANAGER / CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER PROFILE

Irish Creek Country Club

Kannapolis, North Carolina

 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Irish Creek Country Club is entering one of the most exciting chapters in its history.

Under new ownership, the Club is beginning a renovation that will redefine the member experience and position Irish Creek Country Club as one of the premier private clubs in the Rowan County and greater Charlotte region. This transformation presents a rare opportunity for an accomplished club executive to lead a respected club through a period of growth while preserving its traditions and strengthening its culture.

The successful candidate will serve as both General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, partnering directly with ownership to lead daily operations, build an exceptional leadership team, oversee the renovation process, and create an outstanding member experience.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

Irish Creek Golf Club is seeking a dynamic and engaging GM/COO to lead the club through an exciting period of growth and transformation.

With new ownership and a planned clubhouse renovation, this is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to help shape the future of one of the region's premier golf properties.  The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership while overseeing the daily operations of the club, ensuring exceptional experience for the members, guest  and employees.

The GM/COO will serve as a leader of the management team, working closely with the Head of Golf Professional and Golf Course Superintendent to deliver a first-class golf and hospitality experience.  In addition, this individual will play a key role in planning and executing the clubhouse renovation, developing the food and beverage operation and recruiting a talented team to support the club's long-term vision.

The ideal candidate is a visible and approachable leader who believes great clubs are built by developing great people.  This individual will create a culture of hospitality, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement while maintaining sound financial stewardship and operational excellence.

Experience Required

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an engaging, visible, and servant-minded leader who enjoys building relationships with members and employees alike.

They will possess:

• A minimum of 5 years of successful experience as a General Manager or General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of a private country club or premier hospitality organization.
• Demonstrated success leading clubs through renovations, capital improvements, or significant operational growth
• Outstanding leadership and team-building skills with a proven ability to recruit, mentor, and retain exceptional department heads.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Extensive knowledge of private club operations, including food and beverage, golf, clubhouse operations, membership, and events.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• A visible leadership style with a genuine passion for member engagement.
• High personal integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Ability to work collaboratively with ownership and department leaders

 

 LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate will be:

• Servant Leadership
• Visionary yet operationally engaged
• High Integrity
• Highly visible and approachable
• Member focused
• Passionate about hospitality
• Financially disciplined
• Collaborative and relationship driven
• Emotional Intelligence
• A confident decision maker
• An exceptional communicator
• A builder of people, teams, and culture

Essential Responsibilities

Key Leadership Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture

• Create a culture built on hospitality, professionalism, accountability and teamwork
• Develop and mentor department leaders while encouraging professional growth throughout the organization
• Foster an environment where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
• Serve as a visible leader who builds meaningful relationships with members, guests, employees and the surrounding community

 

Club Operations

• Provide overall leadership for all club operations
• Ensure safety for all members, employees and facility
• Partner closely with the Head of Golf Professional and Golf Course Superintendent to ensure consistently exceptional golf experience
• Establish service standards that elevate every aspect of the member and guest experience
• Oversee the successful operation of golf, clubhouse, food and beverage, events and maintenance dept
• Actively engage in recruiting, hiring and developing of all personnel

 

Club Renovations/Capitol Project Management

• Collaboration with ownership, architects, contractors and department leaders throughout the clubhouse renovation process
• Help develop operational plans to minimize disruption while maintaining a positive member experience
• Prepare organization for the successful reopening of renovated facilities

 

Food and Beverage Leadership

• Lead the development of Irish Creek's food and beverage program
• Recruit, hire and mentor an experienced Food and Beverage Manager
• Establish service standards, operating procedures, staffing plans and financial objectives that support long-term success
• Establish events integrating club activities each month bringing current trends and best practices forward

 

Financial Leadership

• Develop annual operating and capital budgets
• Monitor financial performance while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability
• Utilize data and thoughtful planning to support sound business decisions
• Work closely with ownership to ensure operational goals align with the club's long-term vision
• Holds departments accountable for meeting budget goals
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of all systems' hardware, software and networking programs

 

Member & Guest Experience

• Build authentic relationships with members and guests through a highly visible presence
• Listen to member feedback and continually seek opportunities to improve the overall club experience
• Ensure every department delivers service that reflects the club's values and commitment to hospitality
• Create and recommend any new programs, gain new memberships, retain existing members as well as increase member engagement while improving member satisfaction
• Golf Course/Tennis/Pickleball/Grounds Management
• Provide oversight and support to grounds management team; including budget, implementation and capitol programming
• Develops and monitors an environment where the implementation of best practices acts to continually improve the member golf, tennis and pickleball experience
• Works with directors to ensure the retail operation provides the highest quality merchandise and varied selections
• Helps support departments and values of PGA/USTA/DUPR

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

 

Anticipated Salary Range $125,000 +, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• PGA of America and CMAA Membership Dues
• Continuing Education and Professional Development
• Industry Conference Attendance
• Additional Benefits to be discussed during interview process