Great River Golf Club - Executive Director

Sacred Heart University•Milford, CT

About The Position

Position Summary The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of Great River Golf Club, a premier championship golf and hospitality destination owned by Sacred Heart University. This position has full responsibility and accountability for the Club’s operational excellence, financial performance, reputation, and alignment with the University’s mission and standards. The Executive Director provides enterprise-wide leadership and oversight of all Club functions, including Golf Operations, Pro Shop/Retail, Greens & Grounds, Food & Beverage (Monty’s Grille), Events and Banquets, Membership, Marketing, Facilities, Finance (P&L), Security, and Human Resources. The role establishes strategic direction, drives continuous improvement, and leads a high-performing management team to deliver exceptional golf, dining, and event experiences. Principal Duties & Responsibilities Serves as the chief executive leader of Great River Golf Club with full authority and accountability for strategy, operations, financial performance, and organizational results. Provides vision, leadership, and long-term strategic direction for the Club in alignment with Sacred Heart University priorities. Directs and holds accountable all department leaders across Golf Operations, Greens & Grounds, Food & Beverage, Events & Banquets, Pro Shop/Retail, Membership, Marketing, Facilities, and Administration. Provides executive oversight of Golf Operations, including professional staff, instruction and academy programming, tournaments, outings, pace of play, tee sheet management, and merchandising, ensuring a premier golf experience. Ensures championship-quality course conditions through close partnership with agronomy leadership and long-range planning. Oversee Food & Beverage operations, including Monty’s Grille, concessions, and banquet/event catering, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, service standards, and profitability. Provides executive leadership for Events and Banquets, including weddings, corporate outings, tournaments, and University-affiliated events. Leads development and execution of annual operating and capital budgets; maintains full P&L responsibility. Drives financial performance through disciplined forecasting, cost controls, revenue optimization, and corrective actions. Establishes and enforces enterprise-wide service standards, operating policies, and performance expectations. Builds, mentors, and leads a high-performing management team; establishes succession planning and leadership development. Serves as a visible ambassador of the Club, cultivating strong relationships with members, guests, University partners, donors, and community stakeholders. Collaborates with Marketing and Communications resources to drive membership growth, rounds, outings, events, and dining business. Partners with Campus Operations and the VP of Facilities & Construction to ensure preventive maintenance, capital planning, and facility improvement initiatives are executed effectively. Ensures compliance with all health, safety, liquor licensing, employment, and regulatory requirements. Oversees risk management and security planning in coordination with Campus Public Safety. Represents Great River Golf Club on appropriate University and Club committees. Build relationships with Sacred Heart University academic programs to support internships and experiential learning opportunities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Golf Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in golf, club management, hospitality, or related environment.
Proven success leading complex, multi-department hospitality, golf, or club operations at a senior or executive leadership level.
Decisive, hands-on executive leader with a strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L, budgets, forecasting, and capital planning.
Exceptional strategic, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Extensive knowledge of golf operations and traditions of the game.
Strong understanding of Food & Beverage, event, and banquet operations.
High level of computer proficiency (Office, Outlook, POS, inventory, scheduling, financial systems).

Nice To Haves

CCM (Certified Club Manager), PGA, or pursuit of professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as the chief executive leader of Great River Golf Club with full authority and accountability for strategy, operations, financial performance, and organizational results.
Provides vision, leadership, and long-term strategic direction for the Club in alignment with Sacred Heart University priorities.
Directs and holds accountable all department leaders across Golf Operations, Greens & Grounds, Food & Beverage, Events & Banquets, Pro Shop/Retail, Membership, Marketing, Facilities, and Administration.
Provides executive oversight of Golf Operations, including professional staff, instruction and academy programming, tournaments, outings, pace of play, tee sheet management, and merchandising, ensuring a premier golf experience.
Ensures championship-quality course conditions through close partnership with agronomy leadership and long-range planning.
Oversee Food & Beverage operations, including Monty’s Grille, concessions, and banquet/event catering, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, service standards, and profitability.
Provides executive leadership for Events and Banquets, including weddings, corporate outings, tournaments, and University-affiliated events.
Leads development and execution of annual operating and capital budgets; maintains full P&L responsibility.
Drives financial performance through disciplined forecasting, cost controls, revenue optimization, and corrective actions.
Establishes and enforces enterprise-wide service standards, operating policies, and performance expectations.
Builds, mentors, and leads a high-performing management team; establishes succession planning and leadership development.
Serves as a visible ambassador of the Club, cultivating strong relationships with members, guests, University partners, donors, and community stakeholders.
Collaborates with Marketing and Communications resources to drive membership growth, rounds, outings, events, and dining business.
Partners with Campus Operations and the VP of Facilities & Construction to ensure preventive maintenance, capital planning, and facility improvement initiatives are executed effectively.
Ensures compliance with all health, safety, liquor licensing, employment, and regulatory requirements.
Oversees risk management and security planning in coordination with Campus Public Safety.
Represents Great River Golf Club on appropriate University and Club committees.
Build relationships with Sacred Heart University academic programs to support internships and experiential learning opportunities.
Performs other duties as assigned.