An outstanding opportunity has arisen for a General Manager at York Golf Club. You can find out more about the role below…
York Golf Club has a long and proud history. This is an exciting opportunity to play your part in taking the Club through the next phase in its development.
Due to retirement the Club is looking to appoint an exceptional General Manager to work with the Chairman and Board to plan and deliver the Club’s key strategic objectives for the benefit of all members. The role will appeal to an inspiring and committed individual with excellent leadership, commercial and relationship management skills.
The Club:
A private member’s club, York has the distinction of being the oldest club in York. Established at its current heathland location in 1904 and designed by Open Champion JH Taylor, the Club began life as a nine-hole course on the Knavesmire in the centre of York in 1890. For more detail on the history of the club and the course go to https://www.yorkgolfclub.co.uk/history
Today it is a thriving club with a vibrant membership across all categories of player and a wider non-playing social membership. Additionally, the Club has an excellent Golf Academy for those new to the game. The Club places great importance on its welcoming and inclusive culture striving to deliver excellence to both members and visitors.
Renowned as one of the best places to play golf in Yorkshire, in 2017 the club completed a 5-year course development plan to improve and update every hole, refining the look, feel and challenge of the course. But we haven’t stopped there, with ongoing improvements on an annual basis as we seek to maintain or improve our status as one of the Top 10 courses in Yorkshire (Golf Monthly). We regularly host County & PGA events and have an R&A event here this year.
The Club’s practice facilities are some of the very best in the area providing a conveniently located practice ground, short game chipping area and a large putting green plus a state of the art indoor swing studio hosted by our excellent Professional and his team.
Continued investment in the course, club house and practice facilities make York one of the most successful clubs in Yorkshire. The Board is committed to continued investment in the course and wider facilities to ensure the Club continues to build on this success and to offer exceptional value to members.
The Role:
Reporting to the Chairman and Board, the General Manager will work with the Board and its committees to plan and deliver the club’s key strategic, financial and operational objectives. Key to this is developing a culture of exceptional customer service, ensuring members, guests and visitors have an outstanding experience.
The General Manager will provide leadership and direction to all employees plus having responsibility for the Club’s catering (currently outsourced to a contractor). Additionally, the incoming General Manager will have overall responsibility for the Club’s relationship with the Professional.
The Club is a company limited by guarantee run by a Board of Directors all of whom are members. The Directors are appointed at the Annual AGM based on a vote by eligible members. Appointments are for a three-year term. The Captain and Lady Captain also sit on the Board as Directors for their year of office. The Board meets monthly.
The General Manager is Secretary to the Board of Directors and Company Secretary.
The Candidate Profile:
This wide-ranging role demands strong commercial experience, excellent relationship management and leadership skills and an understanding of working with a strongly customer focussed or member-based organisation.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Accountable to the Chair of the Board, develop and deliver the Club’s strategic, annual and operational plans working closely with the Board and its committees.
- As Secretary to the Board, support the Chair of the Board in preparing the monthly Board agenda and information pack. Prepare accurate and timely Board minutes.
- Provide accurate and timely financial information to the Finance Director, Committee Chairs and Board, including monthly management accounts, the annual report & accounts and ad hoc information as required. With the Finance Director develop and manage financial processes and controls. Work with all revenue and cost managers to ensure annual budgets are met, helping to identify opportunities to increase income and reduce costs.
- Lead, motivate and develop the employee team to deliver standards of excellence across the Club.
- As Health & Safety Officer for the Club, be accountable for all aspects of Health & Safety across the Club’s operations and for regular reporting to the Board.
- As Club Welfare Officer, is also accountable for all aspects of Safeguarding.
- Support the Chair of Governance in ensuring the Club is compliant with all the required internal and external policies and practices across every aspect of its operations. Ensure the club manages key risks and meets all key measures to secure its reputation and continued development.
- Be accountable for all aspects of the Annual AGM (March) working closely with the Chair of the Board and Finance Director.
- Foster a culture of exceptional customer service, ensuring members and visitors have an outstanding experience. Manage all aspects of member relations: maintaining accurate and timely member and subscription information; supporting the Chair of Membership in developing effective member retention and recruitment strategies, creating and delivering timely and engaging communication to members.
- Through a close working relationship with the Chair of Greens and the Course Manager, be responsible for the development of a long-term course development plan (for approval by the Board) and its implementation. As a team, work to develop and deliver a programme of annual maintenance which delivers the highest possible standards of presentation.
- Work closely with the Chair of Membership & Marketing, the Professional and club house team to manage all aspects of visitor relations; pricing, booking, greeting, service delivery and follow up.
- Develop the Club’s brand and offer through its website, traditional and social media, PR and sponsorship. Work with the Chair of Membership & Marketing to develop and deliver an annual activity plan which builds the Club’s profile attracting new members their guests and visitors.
- Manage all aspects of the clubhouse and premises working in close co-operation with the Chair of House to plan and deliver the annual programme of work required to maintain and improve the club’s facilities. Be accountable for relationships with all third – party suppliers and contractors.
- Prepare the Club’s annual diary working closely with the Chair of Matches & Competitions. Be involved in the management and organisation of competitions as required.
- Oversee the Club’s social programme and other events organised by the House/Social Committee, caterer, Professional and third parties.
- Ensuring excellence in the planning and delivery of service to members & visitors both on and off the course. Lead regular weekly planning meetings with the Course Manager, Bar Manager, Caterer and Professional.
- Act as an ambassador for the club. Ensure the club maintains strong and productive relationships with all its key stakeholders in the immediate neighbourhood, locally, regionally and nationally.
Working pattern:
Full time – 40 hours – Monday to Friday, with occasional additional/flexible working as required.
Remuneration:
We offer a competitive salary and benefit package commensurate with the skills, knowledge and experience of the applicant.
We are committed to the ongoing development of our employees and will support professional development appropriate to this role.
Application process:
To apply, please email a letter of application and your CV with details of your current renumeration package to [email protected]
Closing date for applications is 12.00 noon, 30 April 2024.
The short-listing panel will decide whom to interview solely on the basis of the information provided in your letter of application and your CV measured against the job profile.