Organization

The Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club is an active community of members who enjoy golf, racquet sports, swimming, wellness programming and fine dining in a pristine desert environment offering breathtaking scenery, coupled with friendly, high-level service. Programs and facilities serve the full range of ages, from families with small children to retirees. The Club offers similar opportunities for guests of members and visitors.

Amenities at the Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club include two world-class Tom Fazio golf courses that weave through 600 acres of rugged rock canyons, winding arroyos and flowering desert. Ensconced within the golf courses and breathtaking landscape sits The Lodge, an intimate retreat with 50 spacious, comfortable suites. You'll also find a state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball facility, two inviting resort pools, indoor and outdoor dining venues, a day spa, sauna, whirlpools, steam room and fitness center.

Although a club focused on the needs of members, the facility operates as a semi-private for-profit entity under the Ventana Canyon Alliance. Approximately 80% of Alliance shares are owned by members, with the remainder held primarily by former members. The operation has two Boards: Board of Governors and Board of Managers. Each Board has its own focus with the Board of Governors addressing member issues and challenges of the club and the Board of Managers addressing overall operations, capital needs and long-term planning for both the public and private aspects of the business.

On tap for the summer of 2025 is an expansion of the fitness center and an enhancement of the Catalina Dining Room. The Fitness Center expansion will add 1,000 square feet to the existing footprint and include new state of the art equipment. The Catalina Dining Room project will create a member-only environment offering an upscale experience.

Awards received by the property include:

  • AAA Four Diamond Award for the Lodge
  • Wine Spectator Award of Excellent for the Wine List
  • Condé Nast Traveler Top 10 Lodge in North America, Top 25 Best Golf Resorts
  • Golf Digest, 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America
  • Preferred Hotels and Resorts

Vision Statement

To be the premier club and destination resort in the Southwest.

Mission Statement

The purpose of Ventana Canyon Club & Lodge is to enrich the lives of members and guests by delivering lasting and impactful experiences through active living, social connection and community engagement ensuring long-term friendships and memories.

Values

  • Stewardship
  • Exceptional Service
  • Community
  • Excellence
  • Friendliness

Position Overview

The Lodge at Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club is seeking an experienced Chief Executive Officer/General Manager to provide uncompromising quality of service to its members and guests through a coordinated teamwork approach. The CEO/GM acts according to the highest standards of personal and business ethics in coordinating and administering the Club's policies as defined by the Board of Managers, developing operating policies and procedures, directing the work of all departments and securing and protecting all Club assets including facilities and equipment. The CEO/GM directs and oversees all aspects of operations at VCG&RC including its activities and relationships between members, guests, associates and the community with the goal of providing an experience that exceeds expectations. The CEO/GM will hire, retain, cross train and lead the management team of professionals who consistently and profitably satisfy the goals of the Alliance.

Responsibilities

  • Work with the Board of Managers and Board committees to set goals, policies and strategies to achieve the Club's mission and objectives.
  • Facilitate membership recruitment and retention through an understanding of the local market and economy.
  • Coordinate with the Board of Governors, the management team and staff to maximize service levels and to ensure excellence in the member and guest experience.
  • Work with the Executive/HR Committee, management staff, and Director of HR in recruiting, selecting, and hiring the top management personnel for Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club.
  • Oversee preparation of the annual budget incorporating input from all departments and Finance Committee.
  • Monitor financial reports/statements on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and take effective corrective action when necessary.
  • Ensure adherence to all legal, community and governmental requirements.
  • Continuously monitor and improve performance and product of all management personnel.
  • Bridge the diverse club demographics through effective relations, activities programming and communications
  • In partnership with both Boards, lead the development of a strategic plan/business roadmap for the current and future success of the Club.
  • Be a catalyst for both identifying new programs/services and enhancing current ones.
  • Maintain open communication among Ventana Canyon Alliance, management and staff.
  • All other duties and tasks as required.

Skills, Background and Personality Traits

  • A hospitality background
  • A history of positive relationships and people engagement
  • A professional career "track record" with verifiable career progress
  • Proven leadership qualities with the demonstrated ability to direct, coordinate and manage all facets of a full-service golf and country club and separate hotel business
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the distinct ability to function effectively before a wide variety of groups and forums
  • A record of success in the selection, development, training and motivation of an accomplished, service-oriented staff
  • A positive, upbeat attitude combined with sense of humor and the ability to work effectively at all levels of organization
  • The ability to teach, motivate and coach team members developing a positive working environment.
  • Diplomatic, self-motivated, organized and flexible
  • Strength and experience in team development, financial performance, member satisfaction and marketing
  • Track record of working closely and successfully with Board and committee members in a leadership role
  • Prior experience in coordinating and overseeing complex capital improvement projects
  • Knowledgeable in "best practices" of top performing and high member satisfaction clubs around the country

Competitive Compensation

The Club offers an attractive and competitive compensation and benefits package to include:

  • A base salary range of $240,000-$280,000 dependent on qualifications
  • Professional dues and educational expenses
  • 401k Retirement plan
  • Relocation assistance
  • Health insurance for the employee and family including medical, dental and vision as outlined in the employee handbook
  • Performance bonus and long-term incentives based on agreed upon objectives

To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume prior to January 26, 2025.

A full background check will be conducted on candidates. Professionals who meet or exceed the established criteria are encouraged to contact:

Terry Anglin, CCM, CCE, ECM
Principal
terry@gsiexecutivesearch.com
901-550-9338

GSI Executive Search has been serving the private club industry for thirty years, providing a wide range of executive search and placement services. In addition to GM searches that have been performed recently, GSI consultants have done over 100 GM searches around the US in the last two years.

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