General Manager - The St. Joseph River Yacht Club, St Joseph, MI
Responsible for Food, Beverage, Catering and Club operations.
Harper Associates has been retained for this search.
Club Overview
The St. Joseph River Yacht Club is on the mouth of the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. The club was founded in 1913 by six "gentlemen and powerboat owners" for the "purpose of forming an association or club for those interested in pleasure boats and aquatic sports...". It has grown into one of the premier yacht clubs on the Great Lakes. In 2003 the Club moved to The Lighthouse Depot which was the old Naval Station/buoy Depot that had been converted to a restaurant. SJRYC centers around the Keeper's Bar where members gather for companionship, food, beverages, and entertainment. The third floor has dining facilities that are available for events and private parties. There is no better place to be in the summer than the Rhumb Line Bar on the bank of the St. Joseph River. The pool is perfect for a relaxing afternoon and also hosts our youth swim team. The Club has an active sailboat racing program as well as multiple social groups. More information is available at the SJRYC Website: https://www.sjryc.com/
SJRYC Metrics
• 545 memberships, approximately 850 members
• Annual Food and Beverage Sales: $650K+
• Seasonal and full- time staff 20 - 25
• Club is open March 17th - December 31st
Position Description
The General Manager is responsible for the smooth running of all club operations, which includes a full- service kitchen and bar, swimming pool, sail/boating program, and special events. The General Manager possesses an intimate knowledge of the club's policies and procedures and successfully carries out the directives of the Board of Directors as guided by the club's mission statement and the club's policies and procedures. The General Manager reports to the Board of Directors via the Club Commodore. The ideal candidate is an innovative problem solver and forward thinker who possesses excellent interpersonal skills. The candidate has a strong, measurable record of successful personnel, financial, and food/beverage service management. He/she also has the business skills to develop short and long-term strategies with input and approval from the Board in order to position the club for success well into the future. The position is full-time.
Position Duties
Financial Management
• Manages annual operating budget of ~ $1.1M, recording and analyzing financial statements, managing cash flow, and establishing controls to safeguard funds.
• Provides financial reports to the Board according to a set schedule and format.
Operations
• Manages successful communication and relationships among the Board of Directors, club owners (i.e., its membership), vendors, and staff to facilitate smooth operations overall.
• Specific emphasis on consistently enhancing an extraordinary experience for the members and their guests is primary to this position.
• Attends all Board of Directors meetings and Finance Committee meetings as needed, as well as ad hoc committee meetings.
• Manages all club assets, including facilities and equipment.
• Supervises galley and bar managers in the running of club dining and bar facilities, ensuring highest levels of quality are met.
• Maintains cleanliness, appearance and upkeep of facility, grounds and equipment.
• Keeps all club licenses and insurances current, accurate, and up to date.
• Ensures the club is operated in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Personnel Management
• Ability to attract, hire, develop and lead a high performing team of professionals while setting and maintaining standards of performance appropriate to perpetuating the Club's strategic plan.
• Supervises a staff of 20-25 permanent and seasonal club personnel, including bar, kitchen, grounds, and pool staff.
Member Services
• Be visible and available to club members at all times, ensuring their expectations are met and often exceeded.
• Coordinates marketing /outreach to promote the club's services and to attract new members.
• Manages all club events, initiating a variety of activities and occasions to foster member engagement and good will.
Candidate Qualifications Required
• 5+ years of Food & Beverage management experience with private club
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Extensive personnel and financial management experience (3+ years)
• Experience with member relations or equivalent interpersonal experience
• Ability to successfully execute high-quality special events, including food and beverage
service in unusually high-volume events (e.g., regattas)
• Familiarity with all basic PC software and general ease with technology (e.g., point-of
sale systems) required; knowledge of technology needs for yacht club operations a plus
• Impeccable and verifiable references.
• Weekend availability
Preferred
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience managing a private club
• Strong working familiarity with professional foodservice (e.g., skilled in the techniques of menu and recipe design; food preparation; ingredient selection; food ordering and operations; food safety, regulations, and science)
• Ability to manage concurrent responsibilities across business sectors
• A Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation or working towards is a plus.
Excellent salary, incentive/bonus package, benefits. Please forward resume to Ben Schwartz: ben@harperjobs.com