GSI Executive Search, Inc. Position Profile November, 2013

Country Club Leader Westfield Group Country Club Westfield Center, Ohio

www.westfieldgroupcountryclub.com

Position Reports To: Hospitality Operations Leader

History

Westfield Group Country Club is a private club opened in 1937 and owned and operated by Westfield Group Insurance Company. Located on the corporate campus of Westfield Group in northern Ohio, the country club operates within the Corporate Hospitality business unit of the company which also includes Corporate Dining, the Westfield Inn hotel and the Blair Conference Center. Westfield Center, Ohio is 40 miles south of Cleveland and 30 miles west of Akron. The Club currently has 548 members and their families in all categories and hosts an average of 35,000 rounds on its 36 holes of golf. The clubhouse is closed in January and reopens in mid-March. One of the 18-hole courses is open April through October, the other May through November. Westfield has hosted the Junior PGA Championship (2001-2007) and the Junior Ryder Cup in 2004. The club is the host site of the Ohio Open golf tournament in 2013 and 2014. Overall member satisfaction is at 95%. The company has had a regular program of annual renovations to the clubhouse and golf course. The USGA conducts a regular bi-annual agronomic assessment and provides course recommendations.

Facilities

The well maintained golf courses include a driving range, practice area, and full service pro shop. Other facilities include a swimming pool, two hard surface tennis courts, and a fitness center located at the Westfield Inn. The attractive clubhouse includes two member dining outlets, small banquet facilities, outdoor dining, and well-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms. The club offers a full year round calendar of member events for all age groups. The larger banquet facilities are located at the Westfield Inn and Blair Conference Center.

Annual Gross Revenues are near $4 million.

Annual Food and Beverage revenues approach $1 million.

Position Description

Direct Reports include:

Head Golf Professional

Superintendent of Natural Resources

Club Food & Beverage Leader

Membership Marketing Coordinator

Merchandiser (open position)

Club Bookkeeper

There are 19 full time club staff and 150 total staff during peak season.

The Country Club Leader/General Manager is the visible and accessible leader to members, staff and Westfield business leaders and their guests. The General Manager is responsible for all club operations and collaborating with other Hospitality Operations leaders in setting and managing direction and performance of the business unit. The General Manager will act as the coordinator and facilitator between all Department Heads at the club and hospitality operations outside the club. The overall desire is to create and deliver a meaningful, memorable, and valuable experience for strengthening Westfield’s relationships.

Other duties include but are not limited to:

  • The oversight of the work of all Department Heads and Managers and in turn the work of their respective staffs including membership, golf operations, grounds, club food and beverage, pool operations, court sports, and club administration.
  • In coordination with Department Heads, the General Manager will set the standards for recruitment, hiring, training, supervision and timely evaluation of all of the club’s staff. Compensation and benefits are to be administered consistently and must fall within the guidelines as mandated by the annual budget and club/company policy.
  • The General Manager will develop, maintain, and administer a business plan to include annual budgets and marketing plans. The GM will have responsibility for the financial guidance and reporting for all club operations in accordance with acceptable accounting procedures. Such duties will involve the formulation of the club’s annual operating and capital budgets to be coordinated with the Corporate Hospitality Operations Leader. The General Manager will operate the club in accordance with the approved budgets and will report the club’s financial condition on a monthly basis to appropriate company leaders.
  • Collaborates with other Hospitality leaders in setting direction and managing operational performance for the business unit.
  • Develops and implements annual and long range business and staffing plans.
  • The active promotion of the club to all members, Westfield employees, agents, and their guests. The General Manager is expected to interact with members and guests on a daily basis; actively soliciting opinions and input as to the club’s facilities and services. Visibility and accessibility are paramount. The General Manager will respond to member issues and concerns in a timely fashion and report significant issues to the Hospitality Group Leader and other key stakeholders at Westfield.
  • Leads effort to attract and retain members and manages member relationships and services.
  • Develops and executes sales and marketing plans that effectively manages excess capacity at the club and is synchronized with member play as well as corporate, agent, and employee use of the facilities.
  • The General Manager is expected to “set the pace” for all employees and to actively promote a positive and safe work environment where teamwork and cooperation are emphasized, while assuring that the club operates in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
  • The positive representation of the club in the community, in the hospitality industry, and with visiting insurance agents and their guests.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

The General Manager will be the consummate professional; well versed in all facets of club administration. He or she will have a strong working knowledge with the following skills and attributes:

§  A minimum of five years as a General Manager, Assistant General Manager or Clubhouse Manager in a comparable private club, resort or hotel setting. Candidates will have a working knowledge of all facets of private club operations with strong emphasis on:

§  Membership growth and retention.

§  Financial management.

§  Food and beverage management.

§  Vision and strategic planning.

§  Staff development and team building.

  • Attributes strongly preferred:

§  An outgoing and friendly personality-hands-on and member-friendly.

§  Leadership skills with the ability to motivate and mentor a veteran staff.

§  Highly energetic…a self starter with a “hands-on” approach to management.

§  Excellent communication skills at all levels.

§  A strong sense of service with proven training skills.

§  Attention to detail with a sense of urgency. Ability to problem-solve, courage to challenge status quo, and implement needed changes/improvements.

§  Experience in a corporate environment/structure.

§  Open minded-one who seeks and embraces new ideas and alternative perspectives.

§  Enjoys and appreciates the game of golf.

  • A collaborative team leader with the ability to develop and lead an effective and efficient management team
  • The ability to see the “big picture” but also to have a critical eye for detail.
  • A career path marked with a logical progression of title and responsibility, stability of tenure and accomplishment.
  • The reputation as an effective and visible leader; exhibiting maturity, a positive image and disposition and superior communication and “people” skills.
  • A problem solver with the proven ability to financially manage a club; grow revenues, and control costs-quickly and efficiently.
  • A Hospitality, Business Management or related degree is preferred.
  • The CCM designation is preferred.
  • Impeccable and verifiable references. All candidates will be subject to a thorough background review and testing and must have an excellent credit record.

Compensation

Westfield Group Country Club will offer an attractive and competitive compensation and benefits package to include:

§  A base salary and Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

§  Individual and family health insurance.

§  Participation in the company’s 401K Plan and defined benefit pension plan.

§  A full CMAA package to include dues and education expenses; to be determined in each year’s operating budget.

§  Paid vacation.

§  Limited Club privileges.

§  Relocation assistance.

Professionals who meet or exceed the established criteria are encouraged to contact:

GSI Executive Search, Inc. Referrals are also welcome and appreciated.

Scott McNett Richard Farrell

314-854-1321 727-873-7593

Charlie Hoare, CCM

850-997-6979