Description

Overview

Sylvania Country Club located in Sylvania, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio is seeking an experienced, dynamic General Manager to lead the Club's operations. Founded in 1916, Sylvania Country Club has a long history of outstanding golf, tennis, aquatics activities and excellent dining and social functions. This family- focused country club has had a waiting list for new members since 2022. The General Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling all Club facilities, including operations, local sales management and promotion, food and beverage, golf course maintenance, golf, tennis, and pool operations and human resources. The ideal candidate will place a strong focus on member experience, team culture, flawless execution, quality standards and service delivery. The GM is responsible for managing the Club to ensure that strategies and annual plans are effectively implemented, that financial and operational objectives are attained, and that results are monitored and reported to the Board on a regular basis.

Candidates must exhibit strong leadership, member relations, financial management, communications, and team member development skills. They must have the ability to create a partnership with the Members while running the Club like a business. They must have experience in partnering with a Board of Directors. The ideal candidate must possess the ability to keenly focus on maintaining the Club's membership roster through the enrollment process of "Membership by Invitation."

The General Manager will report to both the Sylvania Country Club Board of Directors and to APGM's Sr. Vice President of Private Club Operations. The GM is responsible for supporting the Private Club Core Fundamentals of Membership (an APGM methodology) and the mission and vision of Sylvania Country Club. This individual will work with APGM, the Board, and its various committees to elevate Sylvania CC to the next level of service delivery while motivating staff to excel in everything they do.

The GM must be professional, highly respected, accountable, and someone who recognizes and is comfortable interacting with the various demographics of Members. Additionally, the GM will provide oversight and leadership of an experienced staff who are a necessary contribution to the success of the Club. Visibility and name recognition are the basic foundations of such success, and the ideal candidate must "walk the talk".

Experience Required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and/or Hospitality preferred
• Minimum 2 years of progressive Private Club General Manager experience
• Management and Leadership skills
• Strong Business Acumen and Sales Management Succes

Essential Responsibilities

Candidates must exhibit strong leadership, member relations, financial management, communications, and team member development skills. They must have the ability to create a partnership with the Members while running the Club like a business. They must have experience in partnering with a Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate must possess the ability to keenly focus on maintaining the Club's membership roster through the enrollment process of "Membership by Invitation."

Position Overview

The General Manager will report to both the Sylvania Country Club Board of Directors and to APGM's Sr. Vice President of Private Club Operations. The GM is responsible for supporting the Private Club Core Fundamentals of Membership (an APGM methodology) and the mission and vision of Sylvania Country Club. This individual will work with APGM, the Board, and its various committees to elevate Sylvania CC to the next level of service delivery while motivating staff to excel in everything they do.

The GM must be professional, highly respected, accountable, and someone who recognizes and is comfortable interacting with the various demographics of Members. Additionally, the GM will provide oversight and leadership of an experienced staff who are a necessary contribution to the success of the Club. Visibility and name recognition are the basic foundations of such success, and the ideal candidate must "walk the talk".

The General Manager serves as the strategic and cultural leader of the Club, responsible for delivering an exceptional member experience, fostering a vibrant community, and ensuring operational and financial excellence. This role blends business leadership with a visible, hands‑on presence across the Club, acting as a community ambassador, mentor, and golf‑focused leader who strengthens relationships, elevates service standards, and champions the Club's mission.

Key Responsibilities-Brief Summary

• Provide strategic leadership aligned with the Board's vision and the club's long-term goals
• Oversee day‑to‑day operations across all club departments (golf, food & beverage, events, membership, facilities, finance, HR)
• Foster a culture of exceptional member service and continuous improvement
• Lead, mentor, and develop department heads and staff
• Manage annual budget, financial performance, and capital project planning
• Strengthen membership engagement and support member recruitment/retention initiatives
• Ensure regulatory compliance, safety standards, and operational excellence across the property
• Maintain high visibility and approachability with members and staff

Qualifications-Brief summary

• Proven leadership experience in private club management, hospitality, or resort operations
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing complex budgets
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and elevate service standards
• Knowledge of golf operations and club governance is highly preferred
• A proactive, member‑focused mindset with a passion for hospitality

Candidate Education and Qualifications

Minimum of 2 to 4 years of progressive management experience in the Private Country Club industry. Four-year Hospitality and/or Business Management Degree preferred. Must have the ability to communicate with excellent oral and written communications skills. The candidate must be able to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and have the mental aptitude to provide effective leadership across culturally diverse, experienced team.

Salary and Other Benefits

A competitive salary, including a bonus plan, is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Professional affiliation dues are included (CMAA or PGA). Complete benefit package including: paid time off, health, dental, and 401(k) plan.

PRIVATE CLUB GENERAL MANAGER Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The General Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling all Club facilities, including operations, local sales management & promotion, food and beverage, golf course maintenance, golf operations and human resources, with a strong focus on culture, execution, quality standards and service delivery. Candidates must exhibit strong leadership, member relations, financial management, communications, and team member development skills. They must have the ability to create a partnership with the Members while running the Club like a business. They must have experience in partnering with the Boards of Governors and the ability to keenly focus on maintaining the Clubs membership roster through the enrollment process of "Membership by Invitation."

The General Manager will report to the APGM Sr. Vice President of Private Club Operations while both report up to the Sylvania Country Club Board of Governors.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Creative, energetic, ambitious personality and keen eye for details.
• A proven track record of highly effective decision-making skills.
• Unparalleled integrity and commitment to the organization as well as your personal career growth and those team members on your team.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills coupled with strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with members and key business partners.
• A strong leader with the ability to direct and develop management personnel and team members.
• Thorough and complete knowledge of and the ability to integrate and facilitate support from golf course operations and maintenance, food and beverage, accounting, and sales.
• Current and complete knowledge of all human resources functions, including recruiting, training and developing managers and department heads, compensation, payroll and benefits administration, management accountability and legalities of hiring and employment separation.
• Experience in the development and management of annual budgets, business plans and capital improvement projects, and a keen ability to properly structure and efficiently allocate labor and expense resources.
• Proven ability to manage entire Club operations.
• Must be results oriented, possess exceptional organizational skills and ability to excel in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be a team player and display a strong sense of pride.
• Knowledge of hazards and safety precautions in work activities and ability to communicate these effectively to staff.
• Knowledge of project/construction management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for gaining and retaining Members. Positive net gains.
• Partners with Members through an effective "Membership by Invitation" enrollment strategy.
• Responsible for executing the membership sales strategy and living the culture of the APGM Core Fundamentals of Private Club membership.
• Leads the Club's Membership sales team in the execution of an effective enrollment, retention and connection process for all new members.
• Collaborates with the APGM Support Team in developing plan which aims to add more prospects to the Clubs pipeline for the sales team.
• Collaborates with the APGM Support Team on the setting of the monthly sales goals and measuring the invitations created by our sales people.
• Partners and leads an effective Board of Governors and Ambassador committee to fulfill its mission of taking ownership of the Club's membership roster and building an environment conducive to "friends inviting friends" into membership.
• Leads the coordination of a full, effective calendar of events that meet member needs, drive revenues and causes prospects for membership.
• Responsible for building on-going and fluid game plans with their management team properly balancing the fulfillment of the member experience and meeting the financial needs of the budget.

POSITION FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Direct, manage, and coordinate all Club operations.
• Manage and oversee work of all department managers including creation and enforcement of work schedules.
• Responsible for recruiting, hiring, and developing managers reporting to General Manager.
• Coach, counsel and discipline staff when necessary. Monitor performance regularly. Terminate staff members when necessary.
• Train new staff members and ensure they have an understanding of the Sylvania Country Club and Arnold Palmer Golf Management culture, experience, policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the company's standards of service and quality are met.
• Responsible for the preparation of the Club's annual business plan and budget in conjunction with the Finance Committee.
• Coordinate activities of operations, accounting, and risk management to affect operational efficiency and economy.
• Responsible for promoting good public relations and professional image.
• Conduct and/or attend meetings to maintain favorable working relationships among staff members and promote positive morale, productivity and efficiency.
• Prepare and distribute reports as required.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Requires constant (40% - 70%) walking, standing, stooping, grasping, reaching, and kneeling. Requires ability to lift objects weighting in excess of 50 pounds.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Requires ability to convey information and ideas clearly.
• Must be able to evaluate and select among alternative courses of action quickly and accurately.
• Must be effective in handling problems in the workplace, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Long hours sometimes required. Ability to work on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme heat/humidity, cold weather, and turf elements. Some travel throughout the community and to attend two APGM Private Club meetings per year.

Job Type: Full-time

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Benefits

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance