Director of Greens & Grounds

NORTHAMPTON COUNTRY CLUB • Easton, PA

1d • $130,000 - $170,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Northampton Country Club (NCC), a private, member-focused club in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, seeks an experienced, collaborative and forward-thinking Director of Greens & Grounds to lead the agronomic, operational and long-term stewardship of its 18-hole golf course and surrounding grounds. The role calls for hands-on leadership focused on exceptional playing conditions, perennial ryegrass fairways, team development, and thoughtful course improvements within defined financial resources.

The Director will balance agronomic excellence with sound judgment, member communication, team development and long-range planning. The role partners closely with the General Manager/COO and Director of Golf and communicates with Club leadership and committees. The Club has an evolving Golf Course Master Plan and anticipates a major irrigation infrastructure investment. Course characteristics include Poa annua/bent grass greens and collars, bent grass tees, perennial ryegrass fairways, fescue/rye/bluegrass rough, and a Bermuda tee plus three ryegrass tees at the driving range. The primary season is April through October, and the Club hosts 11 outings and serves approximately 500 member families.

The position leads agronomic programs, course conditioning, capital improvement planning, department staffing and culture, and financial and operational management. It also communicates course conditions, maintenance practices and project impacts to Club leadership, staff, members and committees. The successful candidate will set priorities, plan ahead, make thoughtful tradeoffs and maximize the value of available resources.

The role reports in partnership with the General Manager/COO and Director of Golf; no direct reporting relationship is specified. Compensation is a base salary of $130,000–$170,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications, with eligibility for an annual performance bonus. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k), paid time off, and professional development and industry education support consistent with the Club budget. Candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and résumé by November 6, 2026.

Requirements

• Demonstrated success as a Golf Course Superintendent or senior agronomic leader at a quality golf facility.
• Documented expertise managing perennial ryegrass fairways in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region is strongly preferred; candidates should be prepared to discuss specific challenges and measurable outcomes.
• Meaningful involvement in irrigation renovation or replacement and golf course construction or renovation projects is strongly preferred.
• Ability to build and mentor teams, develop future leaders and foster a positive, accountable department culture.
• Strong financial management skills and a record of delivering results within defined operating and capital budgets.
• Excellent judgment, organization, communication and interpersonal skills, including collaboration with a General Manager, golf professional staff, committees and outside specialists.
• Appropriate Pennsylvania pesticide credentials, or ability to obtain them, is required.

Nice To Haves

• Private-club experience.
• Expertise managing perennial ryegrass fairways in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region.
• Involvement in irrigation renovation or replacement and golf course construction or renovation, particularly regrassing, bunkers, drainage and tees.
• A degree or certificate in turfgrass management, agronomy or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead agronomic, operational and long-term stewardship of the 18-hole golf course and surrounding grounds.
• Develop and execute agronomic programs for all playing surfaces, emphasizing consistency, playability, presentation, environmental stewardship and sustainable maintenance practices.
• Use data, field observation and agronomic judgment to make timely decisions and communicate expected results, risks and tradeoffs.
• Plan maintenance around golf activity, tournaments and seasonal conditions in coordination with the Director of Golf.
• Help evaluate, plan and implement a future golf course irrigation system replacement, including design input, water management, phasing, contractor coordination, installation oversight and post-installation performance.
• Support the Golf Course Master Plan, including potential fairway and other turf regrassing, bunker renovation, drainage improvements, tee construction or reconstruction, and related enhancements.
• Collaborate with Club leadership, the golf course architect, irrigation consultants and contractors to establish project scopes, priorities, schedules and operating impacts.
• Provide cost estimates, options and recommendations; anticipate impacts on play, maintenance and long-term costs; and oversee establishment and grow-in when applicable.
• Prioritize essential infrastructure needs and desirable improvements and sequence projects according to Club resources and approved priorities.
• Recruit, lead, coach and retain the Greens & Grounds team; establish clear expectations and a culture of safety, respect, pride and continuous improvement.
• Mentor assistants and emerging leaders through hands-on training, delegation, performance feedback and professional development.
• Prepare, manage and evaluate operating and capital budgets with the General Manager/COO, including transparent reporting and proactive forecasting.
• Deliver playing conditions within approved financial and staffing constraints and make recommendations grounded in cost, impact and long-term value.
• Manage labor, equipment, purchasing, chemical and fertilizer programs, vendor relationships and preventive maintenance.
• Present alternatives when conditions, projects or member expectations exceed available resources, communicating early and setting clear priorities.
• Partner with the General Manager/COO and Director of Golf on course priorities, daily decisions, playability, scheduling and member golf experience.
• Communicate professionally with Club leadership, staff, members and committees about course conditions, agronomic practices, planned work and project impacts.
• Explain technical agronomic and construction matters in understandable terms without overpromising results or timelines.
• Participate as an approachable and engaged member of the Club’s management team, welcome input, handle feedback constructively and support broader Club goals.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Professional development and industry education support consistent with Club budget
• Eligibility for an annual performance bonus based on departmental goals, operational performance and overall Club objectives

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed