Director of Greens & Grounds

Northampton Country Club • Easton, PA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Northampton Country Club (NCC), a private, member-focused club in Easton, Pennsylvania, 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, exceptional playing conditions, expertise with perennial ryegrass fairways, strong team development, and thoughtful advancement of course improvements while managing financial resources responsibly.

The club was founded in 1899 and offers golf, racquets, aquatics, dining and social experiences. Its golf facilities include an 18-hole course and practice range. Greens and collars are a Poa annua/bent grass mix; tees are bent grass; fairways are perennial ryegrass; rough is a fescue, rye and bluegrass mix; and the driving range has a Bermuda tee and three ryegrass tees. The primary season is April through October, with 11 outings, approximately 500 member families and an active golf membership with high expectations for consistent playing conditions. The course has an evolving Golf Course Master Plan and an anticipated major irrigation infrastructure investment.

The Director will balance agronomic excellence with sound judgment, team development, member communication 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 emphasizes setting priorities, planning ahead, making thoughtful tradeoffs and maximizing value within available resources.

The position oversees agronomic programs and course conditioning, supports course master-plan projects and irrigation-system replacement, leads and mentors the Greens & Grounds team, manages operating and capital budgets and department operations, and collaborates with club stakeholders to support the member golf experience. Candidates are encouraged 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.
• 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, particularly regrassing, bunkers, drainage and tees.
• Proven 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 the ability to obtain them, required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute agronomic programs for all playing surfaces, prioritizing consistent playability, presentation, environmental stewardship and sustainable maintenance.
• Manage turfgrass health in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic climate, including seasonal stress, disease prevention, traffic, fertility, irrigation, cultivation and recovery.
• Use data, field observation and agronomic judgment to make timely decisions and communicate expected results, risks and tradeoffs.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules with golf activity, tournaments, seasonal conditions and the Director of Golf.
• Partner in evaluating, planning and implementing 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, golf-course architect, irrigation consultants and contractors to establish project scopes, priorities, schedules and operating impacts.
• Provide cost estimates, options and recommendations; anticipate disruption, maintenance requirements and long-term costs; oversee establishment and grow-in when applicable.
• Prioritize essential infrastructure and desirable improvements and sequence projects according to Club resources and approved priorities.
• Recruit, lead, coach and retain the Greens & Grounds team; set clear expectations and foster safety, respect, pride and continuous improvement.
• Mentor assistants and emerging leaders through hands-on training, delegation, performance feedback and professional development.
• Build employee understanding of how their work affects the course, members and Club; lead collaboratively, take ownership of challenges and recognize team contributions.
• Prepare, manage and evaluate operating and capital budgets with the General Manager/COO, including transparent reporting and proactive forecasting.
• Deliver the best possible playing conditions within approved financial and staffing constraints and make realistic recommendations based on cost, impact and long-term value.
• Manage labor, equipment, purchasing, chemical and fertilizer programs, vendor relationships and preventive maintenance efficiently and responsibly.
• Present alternatives when conditions, projects or member expectations exceed available resources; communicate early and prioritize clearly.
• Partner with the General Manager/COO and Director of Golf on course priorities, daily decisions, playability, scheduling and the member golf experience.
• Communicate with Club leadership, staff, members and relevant committees about course conditions, agronomic practices, planned work and project impacts.
• Explain technical agronomic and construction matters clearly, without overpromising results or timelines.
• Participate as an approachable, engaged member of the Club’s management team, welcome input, handle feedback constructively and support broader Club goals.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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