Frenchman's Creek - General Manager/Chief Operating Officer

GGA Partners•Palm Beach Gardens, FL

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer/General Manager (COO/GM) serves as the senior executive leader of Frenchman's Creek Beach & Country Club reporting directly to the Board of Directors. This role is responsible for the holistic management of all club operations with a primary focus on delivering Hospitality and Service Excellence across the golf, beach, and social amenities. The COO/GM must be a visible, high-EQ leader who excels in Interpersonal Leadership, building trusted relationships with members and staff while fostering a culture of professional accountability. As the architect of the Club's future, the COO/GM leads change and supports innovation, guiding the community through its continued evolution with a forward-thinking mindset. This executive is responsible for Strategic Management, translating the Board's vision into Operational Success, and ensuring sound Club Governance by serving as a principal advisor to the Board. Ultimately, the COO/GM ensures that every facet of the Frenchman’s Creek experience is executed with the highest degree of sophistication and professional integrity.

Requirements

Hospitality & Service Excellence: Creating a welcoming and exceptional experience for members and guests. Setting high standards for service and ensuring staff are well-trained and empowered to deliver.
Interpersonal Leadership: Building strong relationships with members, staff, and board members. Demonstrating empathy, active listening, and effective communication skills to foster collaboration and address concerns.
Leads Change and Supports Innovation: Championing new initiatives that improve the club's operations and member experience. Effectively communicating and managing change processes to gain buy-in from members and staff.
Emotional Intelligence: Being aware of and managing one's own emotions, while understanding the emotions of others. This allows for navigating complex situations and building trust.
Strategic Management: Developing long-range plans that consider the club's vision, mission, and competitive landscape. Setting goals, allocating resources, and measuring progress.
Club Governance: Understanding the legal and ethical frameworks that guide private club operations, including member rights and responsibilities, board structures, and regulatory compliance.
Food and Beverage: Managing the club's food and beverage operations to provide high-quality cuisine and exceptional service.
Financial Acumen: Understanding financial statements, budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis specific to the private club industry.
Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, or a related field required
Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in private clubs, resorts, or residential communities.

Nice To Haves

industry certification (CCM, CCE) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate a visible and genuine passion for service excellence, creating a service-oriented environment where the needs of members and guests are consistently met.
Set high performance standards and hold leaders and staff accountable, addressing performance issues constructively through coaching, feedback, and clear expectations.
Build and sustain a positive, collaborative, and respectful workplace culture that promotes trust, engagement, and professional growth.
Exhibit strong self-awareness and emotional intelligence, recognizing and navigating interpersonal dynamics, mediating conflict, and ensuring fair and ethical decision-making.
Empower and delegate effectively, developing leaders who are confident, accountable, and aligned with Club priorities.
Champion a personalized, high-touch member experience, ensuring consistent service quality across golf, beach club, dining, racquets, wellness, and social programming.
Express and model a clear commitment to continuously enhancing the member experience, using feedback and data to inform service improvements and differentiation strategies.
Ensure all facilities, amenities, and programs meet the Club’s standards for quality, safety, and presentation, protecting the Club’s reputation and long-term value.
Oversee dining strategy and execution to ensure food and beverage offerings align with member expectations and enhance the overall Club experience.
Foster strong, productive relationships with the Board of Directors and committee chairs, supporting effective governance and a respectful partnership between management and volunteers.
Provide clear, concise, and timely communication on Club operations, strategic initiatives, and governance matters to enable informed decision-making.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of private club governance structures, including the roles and responsibilities of directors and committees, and ensure adherence to bylaws and policies.
Effectively plan, facilitate, and support Board and committee meetings, ensuring clarity of purpose, alignment, and follow-through.
Develop and execute strategic ideas and long-range plans that align with the Club’s vision, financial capacity, and evolving member expectations.
Lead change initiatives with confidence, effectively managing resistance to change through communication, engagement, and transparency.
Remain open-minded and informed, embracing innovation and best practices within the private club industry while respecting the Club’s culture and traditions.
Learn from past experiences and apply those insights to adapt strategies and improve organizational effectiveness.
Oversee all Club operations, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and service excellence across departments.
Maintain strong financial discipline, including budgeting, cash flow management, forecasting, and monitoring financial performance against approved plans.
Lead capital and operational projects using sound project management practices, ensuring timelines, budgets, and stakeholder communication are effectively managed.
Ensure compliance with applicable public health, safety, and employment regulations, prioritizing the safety and well-being of members and staff.
Proactively identify operational risks and implement policies, controls, and training to safeguard people, assets, and the Club’s reputation.