General Manager The Litchfield Country Club

About the Role

The Litchfield Country Club is seeking an accomplished, relationship-driven General Manager to lead one of New England's most historic and family-oriented private clubs. Reporting directly to the Board of Governors, the General Manager serves as the Club's chief operating executive, providing strategic direction and day-to-day leadership while honoring the traditions, culture, and strong sense of community that have defined Litchfield for generations.

This opportunity is ideally suited for an experienced private club executive who thrives in a member-governed environment, values a highly visible leadership style, and is passionate about building lasting relationships with members, volunteer leaders, and staff. The successful candidate will bring broad expertise across all facets of club management, including finance, human resources, membership enrollment/retention, golf, racquets, swimming and aquatics, junior sports programs, food and beverage, facilities, governance, and member services.

The role emphasizes the need for an approachable, authentic, and emotionally intelligent leader who communicates transparently, earns trust through consistency, and maintains a strong presence throughout the Club. The ideal General Manager will balance collaboration with decisive leadership, empowering department heads while setting clear expectations, promoting accountability, and investing in the team’s professional growth.

About The Litchfield Country Club

Founded in 1892, The Litchfield Country Club is one of the oldest country clubs in the United States and has been a cornerstone of the Litchfield community for more than 130 years. Originally established as an outgrowth of the historic Litchfield Lawn Club, the Club relocated to its present home on the White Memorial Foundation property in 1917, where it continues to fulfill its founding mission of promoting recreation, fellowship, and family participation.

Today, The Litchfield Country Club is a vibrant, member-governed private club distinguished by its welcoming culture, active membership, and strong tradition of family involvement. Members enjoy a challenging nine-hole golf course, an active racquet sports program, swimming and aquatics, a highly regarded junior program, and a restored mid-19th-century farmhouse clubhouse that serves as the social heart of the Club.

The Club operates with the following key metrics:

• 280 memberships in all categories
• $20,000 Full Golf Member Initiation Fee
• $4,770 Full Golf Member Annual Dues
• Gross Volume: Approximately $2.2M
• Annual Dues Volume: Approximately $1.26M
• Food & Beverage Volume: Approximately $662K
• Gross Payroll: Approximately $1.17M
• 10 FTE Employees and 30 Seasonal Employees
• 13 Board Members with 3-year terms
• Club POS & Accounting System: Jonas
• $300 Quarterly Food & Beverage Minimum
• 501(c)(7) Tax-Exempt Club
• Currently completing a $2M, 36-month Capital Assessment

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Club's senior operating executive, reporting directly to the President and providing strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of The Litchfield Country Club.
• Ensure the Club's operations, financial performance, membership enrollment/retention, facilities, and member services align with its mission and strategic priorities.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and service excellence while developing and supporting a high-performing leadership team.
• Lead continuation of structural change from Board to Management for operating decisions.
• Develop strong, trusting relationships with the Board of Governors, committee chairs, members, department leaders, and staff.
• Establish a highly visible and approachable leadership presence throughout the Club.
• Collaborate on budget and capital planning for a cohesive 2027 plan.
• Conduct a comprehensive "listening tour" during the first 90 days to gather feedback and build relationships.
• Evaluate all aspects of the Club's operations to identify opportunities for improvement while respecting traditions.
• Assess the Club's financial position, governance structure, operational systems, staffing model, and business practices.
• Strengthen communication, transparency, and organizational alignment.
• Improve operational consistency through standardized procedures, enhanced staff training, and accountability.
• Modernize business systems, technology, and administrative processes.
• Strengthen the food and beverage operation by evaluating service standards and member satisfaction.
• Promote collaboration among departments using member feedback and operational data.
• Develop management calendars, capital planning schedules, and long-range operational planning tools.
• Partner closely with the Board of Governors to review strategic priorities and financial performance.

Requirements

• Progressive leadership experience as a General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Clubhouse Manager, or comparable senior leadership role within a private club, country club, resort, or other high-quality hospitality organization.
• Demonstrated success partnering with a Board of Governors or Board of Directors, volunteer committees, and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Highly visible, approachable, and relationship-driven leadership style with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and service excellence.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience in budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and financial reporting.
• Experience leading complex club operations while maintaining exceptional service standards.
• Strategic leader who balances long-term planning with hands-on operational leadership.
• Experience in a member-governed private club environment is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is preferred, with a focus in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Substantial private club or hospitality leadership experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Industry certifications such as CCM or PGA are preferred but not required.