GENERAL MANAGER PROFILE: CHEROKEE COUNTRY CLUB KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

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1 GENERAL MANAGER PROFILE: CHEROKEE COUNTRY CLUB KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE THE GENERAL MANAGER OPPORTUNITY at CHEROKEE COUNTRY CLUB An incredible opportunity exists for candidates with a successful track record of leadership and high quality F&B operations management in the private club or high-end hospitality environments in the hospitality industry. We are conducting the General Manager search for Cherokee Country Club, a club with a long tradition of dedication to enriching the lives of its members and their families by providing the finest in dining, social, and recreational interests in a premiere private club environment. CHEROKEE COUNTRY CLUB (CCC) & THE KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY When Cherokee Country Club began in 1907, it was located four miles outside the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, and two narrow, graveled roads led to it. Today, over one hundred years later, the Club is surrounded by the city, and those two roads are among the area's most traveled thoroughfares. Knoxville, Tennessee is situated at the crossroads of three major interstates: I-75, I-40, and I-81 and within a day s drive of nearly half of the U.S. population. The city is home to a number of festivals, highly acclaimed museums, historical civil war sites, a world class zoo, and a unique Urban Wilderness that offers 1,000 acres of adventure within the city limits. Knoxville is also one of America s most vibrant cities for live music, found on streets and stages of famous venues like the historic Tennessee Theatre. And, importantly, Knoxville is home to the renowned University of Tennessee, which is located a relatively short distance from the Club, along the river as well. Cherokee Country Club is nestled slope side on a bend in the Tennessee River, with sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains. It features a wonderful 18-hole Donald Ross golf course, tennis courts (both indoor and outdoor), and a swimming pool along with an extensive Clubhouse. Having completed a massive renovation of many of its amenities in 2007, Cherokee Country Club is Knoxville s premiere private club. The various amenities are spread out in a campus-like arrangement. CCC offers a classic 18-hole Donald Ross style course opened in The facilities include an extensive golf shop, practice range, practice putting and chipping greens, and a well-regarded professional staff to assist in this key Club amenity. The golf course has hosted the best of Knoxville s charitable events, SEC Tournaments, US Open Qualifiers, and the Tennessee State Amateur Championship in Cherokee Country Club s members are afforded access to the most prestigious tennis facilities in East Tennessee. The club boasts seven outdoor Rubico courts, two outdoor hard courts, four indoor courts, and a full service proshop with an accompanying lounge. Completion of the aforementioned restoration project included an additional men s locker room, additional terrace and viewing areas, two new Rubico courts, and one new hard court, making tennis an active and robust year round operation. The tennis complex also houses a popular Little Indians childrens area with games and attendants.

2 CCC provides a wide selection of dining venues, from casual dining in the Pub to a more formal setting in the River Room. The Club s experienced culinary team, led by Chef David Pinckney, is recognized as one of the finest in the Southeast. The experienced staff is exceptional at planning, coordinating, and supervising banquet events from intimate dinner parties to wedding receptions and large charity galas and debutante parties. In recent years, Cherokee has expanded on its very popular fitness operation, now providing members with significant cardio equipment, workout classes and other popular fitness activities and equipment in its nearly 5,000 sq.ft. center. Clearly, Cherokee Country Club is a special club that has been at the forefront with many of its innovative programs, amenities and activities. As a result, demographics of membership over the past several years have gotten younger and more active in key family activities and amenity areas. CHEROKEE COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS: Approximately 780 members $20,000 initiation fee in a one time fee, or $5,000 down with payments over ten years. Approximately $4,000,000 in annual dues Approximately $8,000,000 in gross revenues with approximately $2,000,000 in additional capital and debt reduction fees Approximately $2,900,000 in Food & Beverage revenues Approximately 160 Employees (FTE) in-season There are 12 Board members and ten standing Club committees CHEROKEE COUNTRY CLUB WEB SITE: GENERAL MANAGER POSITION OVERVIEW The General Manager (GM) has responsibility for all day-to-day operations of Cherokee Country Club. S/he directs and administers all aspects of the operations to include amenities, staff, and all programs and activities to ensure outstanding service and member and guest satisfaction. The new GM will be following a well-regarded, 10+ year tenured manager who has taken a new role. The role of GM at CCC, as the face of the Cherokee, requires a strong embrace of community values and enjoyment of a small town, larger city environment where activities and relationships, both in the Club and outside of its confines, are clearly linked. The ability to sincerely interact and engage with all constituencies at CCC is critically important, recognizing the benefits of direct communication, approachability and thoughtful collaboration with the Board, Committees and key staff is a critical success factor of the role. As with most clubs, setting clear accountabilities and direction for the Team is important, especially with changing demographics and expectations. The Board s perspective is the nothing is broken at Cherokee; a new GM coming in will have ample opportunity to learn the culture, expectations and overall operation without simultaneously having to fix any particular area of the operation. At the same time, there is great interest for new eyes to review practices, deliverables and overall standards, especially detail orientation and service delivery, to determine if there might be new, more relevant and, consequently better ways of providing enhanced member services. Some of the many expectations of the Club s top executive professional in this role include: BE A VISIONARY

3 The new GM must be a courageous thought partner for the Board and Committees, recognizing the importance of keeping CCC on the cutting edge of country club excellence by having a keen understanding of current and future trends, demographics, legislative, economic, and social issues. S/he should be decisive and set aggressive goals and objectives to ensure the Club s current and future success. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT He/She must have sound financial management skills including the ability to oversee the preparation and management of annual operating and multi-year capital budgets supporting the strategic and tactical initiatives and expectations that s/he has established with the Board. The Club is moving closer to completing the repayment of its note relating to the major renovation/restoration work done in 2007, and the GM s ability to assist the Board in determining the next priorities and their respective funding mechanisms will be an important strategic effort of the next couple of years. MEMBER RETENTION & RECRUITMENT He/She must lead CCC s membership recruitment and retention efforts, working closely with the Membership Committee and Membership Director. The new GM has to be comfortable and competent being an integral and proactive part of developing relationships that lead to membership interest and/or business opportunities and is engaged and effective in orienting new members so that their initial experience with CCC results in regular use of the Club. Is a catalyst for identifying new programs/services and enhancing current ones for members and their guests to increase club usage, member satisfaction and member retention. TEAM DEVELOPMENT The GM must have a keen style and sense of the importance of staff recruitment, retention, development and overall mentorship. CCC enjoys a Team that includes a number of long tenured staff combined with a more typical shorter term and tenured staff, oftentimes from the nearby University; developing a recruitment, selection and onboarding/orientation strategy is very important, as is ensuring that the existing Team is being regularly and thoughtfully evaluated on performance, with regular feedback and development plans initiated. Setting clearly defined standards, expectations and key objectives for the Team is critical to CCC s long term success and ability to continue to elevate its already high level of service. He/She must naturally recognize, respect, and support the contributions of key managers and staff, as well as ensure that appropriately skilled and competent departmental managers are in place for all key positions, and that each of them does the same in their respective areas of responsibility. Setting standards of performance for all departments, and holding each of them accountable for maintaining these standards within CCC, most especially in member service areas, is most important. Maintaining an environment and overall atmosphere for management/staff that promotes and values appropriate and responsible contributions to the CCC s success, but continuing to ensure that complacency does not occur, is certainly a key success factor, as is ensuring that all staff is focused on positive, supportive relationships amongst themselves and with the membership. STRATEGIC PLANNING In partnership with the Board, the GM must lead the development of a strategic plan/business road map for the current and future success of the Club, and ensure that it is effectively communicated to the membership and staff. He/She must be able to identify issues, needs, goals and objectives to help ensure the perpetuation and continued viability of the Club, typically by staying current with his/her own professional development and through having established a strong network of key club professionals and industry experts. MEMBER, BOARD AND COMMITTEE RELATIONS

4 Primary to the GM s role is to ensure that member satisfaction is always the first priority for the Team. He/She must provide sincere and visibly engaged leadership and interaction with all facets of the membership and their guests, as well as being a consistent and positive force behind the creation and continuous enhancement of all aspects of CCC. As a thought partner with the Board to the CCC s consistent success and viability, he/she must be an active participant at Board and Club Committee meetings to set policies and strategies to achieve the Club s goals and objectives. COMMUNICATION The GM will be a primary two-way conduit for information exchange with all constituencies, and must be consistent, positive, and able to fully engage in this process. S/he must be a true listener who places great importance on personal interactions with all constituencies of CCC. Experience in developing communication platforms using contemporary media (website, apps, social media etc.) is desirable, as is being on the forefront of other uses of technology to improve high touch delivery of service and experiences to the CCC membership. Key verbal and written communication skills are critical as the GM is the primary communicator of important information to members and staff; the ability to convey information in an articulate, well-conceived and wellwritten manner is of utmost importance. As would be expected the GM should clearly be someone who believes in the power of proactive communication (i.e. orienting and culture setting) of members, staff, and guests to ensure the core values of the Club are being recognized and achieved. Moreover, with the Club President and Board Members, there should never be surprises that are the result of delayed or non-conveyed important information. KEY CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership/management experience in an active, family-oriented, private, member-owned club environment. The Club will consider well mentored Assistant General Managers or Club Managers who meet the key attributes and skill sets outlined herein. Strong general management skills with verifiable strengths in team development, financial performance, diverse recreational amenity management (golf, tennis, fitness, aquatics, family activities, etc.), quality food & beverage programming, membership recruitment, board and committee dynamics, exceptional member/guest service programming, strategic planning, renovations and project management, and the ability to consistently define and achieve goals and objectives. A network of professionals in a wide range of functional skills and disciplines within the hospitality industry that might benefit CCC. KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES A Team Builder. A person who embodies the persona of ultimate coach and motivator, bringing out the best in others by setting clear goals and expectations, providing consistent feedback and support, and treating others with respect and professionalism. Someone who clearly understands and epitomes the focus on success through covering the details, and who is able to generate similar orientation from his/her Team. A confident, diplomatic, and competent professional who is a doer and take-charge person and who recognizes the importance of accountability. A creative problem solver who commands respect through professional interactions and integrity. Possessive of strong organizational skills and an obsession with the elements necessary to achieve high levels of quality, satisfaction, and outstanding member experiences.

5 A charismatic individual with a sense of humor and style that is commensurate with the culture and expectations of a friendly, fun, and supportive membership and team of associates. EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS Preferably a college graduate with Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation. SALARY & BENEFITS Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club, along with the typical CMAA benefits, offers an excellent bonus and benefit package. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY Please upload your resume and cover letter (in that order) using the link below. You should have your documents fully prepared to be attached when prompted for them during the online application process. IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner: Last Name, First Name Resume & Last Name, First Name Cover Letter (These documents should be in Word or PDF format) Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents. For directions on how to upload your resume and cover letter visit this page. Click here to upload your resume and cover letter. If you have any questions please Nan Fisher: nan@kopplinandkuebler.com Search Executives on this assignment: Kurt D. Kuebler, CCM KOPPLIN & KUEBLER (Office) Jupiter, FL kurt@kopplinandkuebler.com Thomas B. Wallace III, CCM, ECM KOPPLIN & KUEBLER (Cell) Strongsville, OH tom@kopplinandkuebler.com