General Manager Detroit Yacht Club

An exceptional opportunity exists for a proven private club or hospitality executive to lead one of the most historic yacht clubs in the country. Detroit Yacht Club is a member-focused institution with a strong foundation, improving momentum, and significant opportunity for continued growth and operational excellence.

About the Club

Detroit Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most prominent yacht clubs in the United States, founded in Detroit in 1868 and long recognized as a center of boating, sailing, social activity, and civic tradition. The Club is uniquely situated on a manmade island adjacent to Detroit's historic Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River located between the United States and Canada, offering a setting unlike virtually any other private club.

At the heart of the Club is its iconic 93,000-square-foot Mediterranean Revival clubhouse, designed by renowned Detroit architect George D. Mason and completed in 1923. Members enjoy exceptional facilities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, with the historic natatorium having hosted Olympic-caliber athletes. The Club provides a range of dining, social, and event spaces that support member dining, private gatherings, weddings, Club events, and family-oriented programming.

Club Overview

• Approximately $7.2M Gross volume
• 467 Full, 61 Intermediate, 202 Senior and Other Members
• Approximately $3M Food and Beverage
• Approximately $2.6M Annual Dues Revenue
• $5,040 Boating, $4,560 Non-Boating annual dues
• $3,000 Boating Initiation Fee, $1,500 Non-Boating Initiation Fee
• 350 Slips
• 12 Board Members with 2-year terms
• 26 FTE Employees, 64 In-season
• POS System – Jonas

Detroit Yacht Club Website

Responsibilities

• Direct all day-to-day operations of Detroit Yacht Club as a highly visible, hands-on leader who is approachable, member-focused, and engaged with employees.
• Serve as the primary leader advancing the Club’s strategic direction by elevating execution, strengthening accountability, improving the member experience, and growing membership while preserving traditions.
• Hold department heads accountable, establish measurable performance standards, enforce Club rules, improve staff training, and strengthen operational follow-through across culinary, harbor, facilities, membership, service, and administrative functions.
• Develop and execute a long-term strategy focused on membership growth, improved member experience, facility maintenance, accountability, consistency, financial strength, and strategic investment.
• Maintain exceptional member relations and deliver outstanding membership experiences through staffing, programming, operations, maintenance, communication, and hospitality.
• Drive creation of a membership experience that retains existing members and leads to new member growth.
• Propose and manage annual and long-term financial objectives, including capital budget plans, to achieve board-approved goals.
• Work closely with Flag Officers, Board, Trustees, department heads, and Committee Chairs to keep leadership informed and support membership growth, facility improvement, financial strength, and operational excellence.
• Conduct a comprehensive facilities and service audit with attention to cleanliness, deferred maintenance, and overall Club presentation.
• Develop a membership growth strategy focused on recruiting younger families, growing non-boating memberships, improving retention, and increasing community visibility.
• Implement measurable performance standards for every department, with improved staff training and consistent hospitality standards.
• Establish regular communication with members and launch a structured member listening process to acknowledge and act on feedback.
• Preserve financial strength while investing strategically in the Club’s future.

Key Attributes

• Embodies honesty, integrity, and loyalty to members and staff.
• Highly visible, engaging, approachable, and outgoing leader who enjoys daily interaction with members, guests, and staff.
• Deep understanding and track record of success managing high-quality, multi-outlet food and beverage operations.
• Proven motivator and leader who sets clear goals, holds staff accountable, and provides consistent feedback.
• Naturally outgoing, conversant, respectful, and diplomatic, with the ability to say “no” when appropriate.
• Organizationally focused with attention to detail, facility appearance, cleanliness, service consistency, and disciplined follow-through.
• Fosters cordial and respectful relations with members while ensuring policies and standards are consistently applied.
• Committed to making Detroit Yacht Club a vibrant, member-driven club with a positive relationship between members and staff.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to listen, engage, build trust, and be highly approachable.
• Leads by example with a nurturing, respectful, mentoring leadership style.
• Vision and mission-oriented, with a strategic focus and ability to gain support for approved plans.
• Strong financial acumen for hospitality trends and metrics, with the ability to comprehend and explain P/Ls, balance sheets, cash flow, and budgets.
• Recognizes the need to attract, retain, train, and develop staff at every level while building a leadership culture centered on accountability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive leadership/management experience in a private member-owned club, preferably with historic clubs, yacht clubs, or comparable high-quality hospitality operations.
• Strong personal qualities of confidence, credibility, energy, commitment, and humor, with exemplary ethics of honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
• Technologically proficient, recognizing best practices in using technology to improve service delivery and manage operations.
• Respects the history, traditions, and culture of the Club while being an innovator and champion of new ideas focused on growth and improvement.
• Confident, diplomatic, decisive, and competent professional with exceptional executive presence and financial acumen.
• Proven success working with member boards and committees, with the ability to convey ideas and solutions thoughtfully and respectfully.
• Yacht club and marina experience preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university or college (Hospitality Management preferred). In lieu of a degree, substantial private club or hospitality experience will be considered.
• Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation desired but not required. If without such designation, a commitment to ongoing professional development and networking is critical.