Bear’s Paw Country Club: General Manager Position Profile
General Manager Profile:
Bear’s Paw Country Club
Naples, FL
The Mission Statement
Bear’s Paw Country Club will maintain a standard of excellence through continuous
improvement of our Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, grounds, facilities and services,
providing value and adding enjoyment for current and future members.
The Club
Bear’s Paw Country Club, situated just minutes from the business and shopping district
of Naples, is unique in it has 296 residences and 296 Members. Each residence includes
a golf cart, which adds an additional benefit to being a Member in an exclusive, intimate
community. Getting your preferred tee-times and play availability is a benefit that is
enjoyed by all. Whether becoming a seasonal resident or living at Bear’s Paw year round,
Members enjoy the many golf and social activities, developing friendships and the
tranquility of living in a signature community with access to everything Southwest
Florida has to offer.
Construction on Bear’s Paw Country Club began in the late 1970’s and was started by
Shelter Corporation of Winnipeg, Canada. John Murphy, an oil man from Columbus, Ohio
entered into a contract for the purchase of 245 acres, for the purpose of building a golfing
community with a natural setting and embracing wildlife. Murphy concurrently entered
into an agreement with Jack Nicklaus Design to construct an 18-hole Championship Golf
Course. At this time, Golden Gate Boulevard and Airport Pulling Road were solely two
lane roads with little development on either side.
The Bear’s Paw name had an obvious reference to the “Golden Bear,” a Jack Nicklaus
trademark. The official ribbon cutting ceremony of Bear’s Paw Country Club was held on
December 3, 1980 with Jack Nicklaus and Graham Lount doing the honors and several
professional golfers participating in the inaugural events. Later that year the first of their
annual golf tournaments took place including the Men’s and Women’s Invitational Golf
Tournaments, and the Red Coat and Club Championship Tournaments.
In March of 1980, the owners decided to establish the first articles of incorporation and
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Bear’s Paw Country Club: General Manager Position Profile
the first Board of Governors. In December of 1985, the Members officially took over and
the first annual meeting was held in January of the next year.
In 2005, Bear’s Paw Country Club celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was a celebration of
friendship, golf and recognition of Bear’s Paw as a “pathfinder” of Golf Course
Communities in Naples, Florida. Course Architect, Jack Nicklaus was present for the
festivities and was quoted saying “Bear’s Paw is one of the most unique golfing
communities in the nation” and described the Signature Golf Course as “one of the most
playable, yet challenging and fun courses” he’s been a part of.
Club Facts, Amenities & Other Information
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Bears Paw Country Club consists of 244 acres located in Naples, Florida
Membership is currently limited to 296 residents and members with the potential to
expand to 325. Membership is mandatory for residents
The 296 properties are comprised of 192 condominiums, 89 villas and 15 single
family homes, with potential growth from the Landings development and nonresident membership
The security gate is manned 24 hours per day, 365 days a year
The 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course with a putting area and driving range
was the first in Florida and the only one in Naples playing to 6,899 yards
The Club offers a modern fitness center and aerobics room with well trained staff and
many active programs
The 4 Har-Tru tennis courts also offer numerous programs for men and women of all
playing abilities
Bocce and other outdoor activities are also offered
A 6 slip marina with a boat lift for member use offers access to the Gordon River and
the Gulf of Mexico. Kayaks are also available.
Gross annual volume is $4,400,000, with dues of $2,900,000 and food and beverage
volume of 762,000 and an annual golf course maintenance budget of $1.2 million
The current joining fee is $17,500 which annually provides $300,000 with dues of
$9,921 plus a monthly capital fee of $150 and an annual food minimum of $1,500
The Club is a 501(c)(7) and Florida 617 not-for profit corporation
The current level of play on the golf course is 26,000 rounds annually
Club is open seven days a week in season, except for one Monday a month and is
normally closed for the month of July for maintenance
For more information, please visit the Bear’s Paw Country Club website at:
www.BearsPawCC.org
Job Description
The GM/COO, reporting to the Board of Govenors through the President, has clear
“ownership” for all day-to-day operations of Bear’s Paw Country Club. He/She is
responsible for defining and recommending the strategies and tactics necessary to
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Bear’s Paw Country Club: General Manager Position Profile
annually ‘drive’ and achieve the Strategic Plan goals of the Club. Specific emphasis on
consistently enhancing an extraordinary lifestyle experience for the Members and their
guests is primary to this role. He/She is responsible to manage all of the key assets
(physical and staff) including golf, tennis, fitness and spa, marina, food and beverage,
membership marketing to ensure they are consistently regarded amongst the ‘best in
class’ service execution and delivery.
The GM will provide leadership to contributing constituencies (Board, Committees,
Members, and Staff) relative to key programming, events and activities at the Club;
recognizing the need to lead in balancing multiple interests, perspectives, and the Club’s
business and financial objectives. Successful administration of all operations of Bear’s
Paw, while meeting annual tactical and strategic goals and expectations, is critical; as is
keeping a clear appreciation of maintaining high member satisfaction levels in the course
of doing so. The GM will be leading all aspects of the organization and will have the
“visionary leadership” to make necessary and sometimes bold decisions in the best
interests of the Club, even if it means pressing the imagination of the Board for
actionable decisions.
The Board’s expectation is for a GM/leader who offers up thoughtful, proactive plans and
solutions to issues and strategies affecting the Club and its ability to meet its mission;
essentially having a “here is the plan and this is why I believe it’s in the Club’s best
interests” mindset, then implementing and executing upon the plan once approved.
Board members are active Club users and are not looking to ‘run the club,’ but rather be
‘partners’ with the GM on critical issues of note beyond general operations, which are
his/hers to manage.
The GM is the clear leader in ensuring that Bear’s Paw ‘brand,’ as a premier club
community in the Southwest Florida market (and beyond), is maintained through
consistent focus on priorities, goals, and objectives that have been mutually established
and reviewed in conjunction with the Board of Directors. He/She will oversee the
execution of all necessary and relevant enhancements to procedures and operational
strategies.
The GM is the ‘face’ of Bear’s Paw, to members, staff and external constituencies and
reciprocal clubs, and is expected to ensure that the best interests of the membership are
maintained and enhanced through his/her leadership. Of extreme importance is the
continual development and support of an effective and dedicated team of department
heads, supervisors and staff, and professional ‘infrastructure’ consistent operating
standards and execution, and overall leadership to all groups within the organization. In
doing so, it is expected that the GM is “sincerely visible and engaged” with each of these
key constituencies who contribute to the Club’s overall success.
In addition to leading all management functions in the operation with gross revenues
exceeding $4.4M, food and beverage revenues that will likely continue to increase with
increased member satisfaction, and a staff of approximately 55-60 associates in the
height of season (October – May); the Club’s General Manager will lead the preparation of
annual operating and capital budgets, and be a catalyst in completing the strategic
planning of the Club. He/She will work with the Board to identify clearly defined and
measurable annual initiatives and budget objectives, presenting plans and
recommendations to the Board for approval. These plans will be backed with reasoned,
well-conceived tactics, which he/she will own and be accountable to attain.
The GM will be a key player in the design and execution of all potential capital projects.
In the near future, the Club foresees additional reinvestment and improvement projects
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Bear’s Paw Country Club: General Manager Position Profile
will need to be addressed, including restoring the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course to
its original design along with various improvements to the clubhouse. The GM will be a
primary catalyst in designing and implementing a ‘game plan’ toward successfully
addressing each issue.
Primary Roles & Responsibilities
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Bear’s Paw Club operates under the General Manager/COO (GM/COO) organizational
structure. The GM reports to the President, but is ultimately responsible to the Board of
Directors.
Direct Reports include:
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Controller
Clubhouse Manager
Head Golf Professional
Golf Course Superintendent
Executive Chef
Director of Privacy
Director of Membership and Marketing
The GM provides support and guidance to all Club Committees, which are advisory to the
Board of Directors. These Committees include the following:
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Strategic Planning
Finance
Membership and Marketing
Communications
Greens
Golf
House/Social
Candidate Qualifications
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Preferably, a college graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business
Administration or Hospitality Management with a minimum of five years of
significant management experience and in a similar, private, member-owned
premier club environment. Preferably, possessing a Certified Club Manager
(CCM) and/or a Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation or similar
professional development achievements.
Exceptionally strong communication and facilitation skills, both written and
verbal, with the appropriate personal presence, desire, and ability to interact
effectively before diverse constituencies of members, staff, vendors and other
people who are part of the success of Bear’s Paw.
Knowledgeable in “best practices” of top performing and high member
satisfaction clubs in Florida and around the country.
A verifiable record of working closely and successfully with member owned club
Boards and active Committees.
A verifiably unblemished career track that demonstrates a record of tenure and
commitment to previous employers, where career moves were for enhancement
of skills and experiences as opposed to ‘unplanned’ career changes.
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Bear’s Paw Country Club: General Manager Position Profile
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A visionary leader who understands longer-term strategies and the “big picture.”
Strong general management skills with verifiable strengths in inspirational
leadership, financial performance, “people” skills, programming and recreational
amenity management. Especially strong credentials are preferred in highly
regarded exceptional member/guest service programming, quality food and
beverage programming, strategic planning, programming and project
management, and most importantly, the ability to consistently define and achieve
goals and objectives, and execute to those standards.
Verifiable ability to attract, hire, develop and lead a high performing team of
professionals while setting and maintaining standards of performance
appropriate to perpetuating the Club’s strategic vision.
Adaptability and flexibility of style.
An intuitive style resulting in a sincere and visibly engaged presence with
Members, Guests and Staff, with an exceptionally strong focus on enhancing the
transparency of efforts and communications.
A strong and passionate leader with a proven track record of providing Platinumlevel services in an intimate membership environment, and with a personality
that exemplifies, great service, leading to positive ‘memories’.
A confident, diplomatic, respectful 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 because of the way he/she
interacts with others and lives up to his/her word and confidently puts forth
recommendations to the Board and Staff.
Personally capable and comfortable with technology and incorporates its use, as
appropriate in his/her everyday role, while never losing sight of the need for
‘high touch’ relations with Members and employee partners.
A person who understands and effectively functions in a volunteer, memberowned Board and Committee environment, who further recognizes the need to
use these groups as sounding bodies, raising issues of a policy nature and offering
alternatives in addition to pros and cons. Ultimately, an enthusiastic supporter of
Board decisions and directives.
Armed with a high degree of creative, relevant and innovative ideas relative to
food and beverage operations, member activities and programs.
Capable of a high degree of self-motivation, resourcefulness and cache’ in leading
and managing a diverse club operation while, at all times, exemplifying the style
appropriate to Members, Staff and other constituencies of Bear’s Paw.
A personable individual with a sense of humor and style that is commensurately
appropriate with the culture and expectations of a friendly, fun and supportive
membership group and team of employee partners.
Someone who has been a “difference maker” wherever he/she has been in the
past.
Salary & Benefits
Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club, along
with the typical CMAA benefits, offers an excellent performance bonus and benefit
package.
It is expected that interviews for this position will occur in October, with an anticipated
start date in late December or earlier.
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Bear’s Paw Country Club: General Manager Position Profile
Application
We prefer to have you upload your resume and cover letter (in that order) to our
resume service. Please note that you should have your documents fully prepared
to be attached when prompted for them.
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)
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 here.
Click here to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you have any questions please email Nan Fisher: [email protected]
Lead Search Executive on this search is:
John R. “Jack” Sullivan, CCM
KOPPLIN & KUEBLER
239-229-5153
[email protected]
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