General Manager Black Rock Yacht Club

Black Rock Yacht Club (BRYC) in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is seeking a General Manager to lead its historic, member-driven yacht club. This role is ideal for a charismatic leader who thrives on member interaction and can balance strong business acumen with selfless leadership to sustain and grow a high-performing hospitality environment. The General Manager will build on the Club’s rich history, traditions, and family-friendly atmosphere while ensuring operational consistency and long-term growth.

About Black Rock Yacht Club

Founded in 1874 and formally incorporated in 1926, Black Rock Yacht Club is a prominent fixture on the Long Island Sound. The Club offers a range of facilities, including a signature bar, ballroom, game room, outdoor dining deck, pool with outdoor bar, snack bar, and bathhouses. BRYC provides instructional, cruising, and racing programs for adults, as well as a Junior Activities program featuring sailing, tennis, swimming, and diving for youth. The Club hosts a year-round social calendar and serves as a venue for member-sponsored events of up to 200 people.

Black Rock Yacht Club by the Numbers

• Approximately $4.3M gross volume
• Approximately $1.7M Food and Beverage revenue
• Approximately $1.6M Annual Dues
• 152 Full Members, 43 Senior Members, 29 Junior Associates, 65 Other Members
• $25,000 Initiation Fee
• 70 Boat mooring field
• 16 Board Members with 3-year terms
• 7 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Employees
• POS System: Jonas

www.blackrockyc.com

About the Role

The General Manager will direct day-to-day operations as a highly visible, hands-on leader, collaborating with the team to manage club functions and deliver outstanding service to a multi-generational membership. Reporting to the Flag Officers, the GM will lead the organization in fulfilling its mission to provide extraordinary experiences and service. The GM will supervise key department heads, including:

• Food and Beverage Manager
• Executive Chef
• Waterfront Manager
• Finance Manager
• Member Services Manager
• Pool Manager (seasonal)
• Tennis Professional (seasonal)
• Junior Sailing Director (seasonal)

Responsibilities

Strategic & Financial Leadership

• Help develop long-term strategy, stay abreast of industry trends, and propose annual objectives and plans that meet the needs of members, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Propose annual and longer-term financial objectives, including capital planning, and manage operations to achieve Board-approved goals.
• Work closely with the Flag Officers and Committee Chairs to keep the Board informed and press for actionable decisions when needed.

Operational Excellence & Industry Expertise

• Demonstrate a successful track record managing high-quality operations, growing revenue, and developing strong teams.
• Familiarity with waterfront operations in an active harbor.
• Maintain a detail-oriented focus on consistent, high-quality delivery that supports member and associate satisfaction.

Member Experience & Engagement

• Serve as a visible, engaging, and approachable club leader who enjoys daily interaction with members, guests, and staff.
• Foster respectful member relations while ensuring BRYC policies and by-laws are consistently applied and followed.
• Create a quality member experience through staffing, programming, operations, and maintenance that supports retention and new member growth, particularly among younger families.
• Promote a vibrant, member-driven club culture and a positive, respectful relationship between members and staff.

Team Leadership & Communication

• Motivate and lead others by setting clear expectations, holding teams accountable, and providing consistent feedback and support.
• Communicate naturally and thoroughly, actively listen to feedback, and manage expectations diplomatically.

Personal Integrity & Core Values

• Embody honesty, integrity, and loyalty to Black Rock Yacht Club members and staff.

Initial Priorities

• Build trust and confidence with key contributors by being thoughtful, candid, proactive, approachable, and responsive.
• Develop a membership growth and retention strategy focused on younger families and clear communication of value.
• Conduct a thorough facilities and operations audit and develop a realistic capital plan, with attention to the pool, waterfront, kitchen, parking, and ongoing maintenance.
• Work with Flag Officers, Board members, Committee Chairs, and staff to strengthen financial processes, reporting, budgeting, and cost controls.
• Strengthen employee engagement by being visible throughout the operation, learning the team, and implementing performance standards, SOPs, and accountability measures.
• Evaluate the member service experience and improve consistency, presentation, and staff performance.
• Review F&B operations for opportunities to build on recent gains in food quality and hospitality.
• Enhance communication with members, the Board, Committees, and staff through proactive, transparent updates.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5–7 years of progressive leadership/management experience in a private member-owned club or leading hospitality operations in a similar environment. Yacht club and waterfront experience preferred but not required.
• Strong personal qualities of confidence, credibility, energy, commitment, and humor, along with exemplary ethics of honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
• Technologically proficient, recognizing best practices in using technology to improve service delivery and operational management.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year university or college, preferably in Hospitality Management (substantial private club or hospitality experience will be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation is desired but not required. If without such designation, a commitment to ongoing professional development and strong networking capabilities is critical.
• Verifiable professional development that demonstrates the ability to lead a club and hospitality operation like BRYC.

Pay

Salary range: $175,000 – $225,000 + bonus, commensurate with qualifications and experience.