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GENERAL MANAGER - ST. JOSEPH RIVER YACHT CLUB - ST. JOSEPH, MI

Harper Associates has been retained for this search.

www.sjryc.com

The Club

The St. Joseph River Yacht Club is on the mouth of the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. The club was founded in 1913 by six “gentlemen and powerboat owners” for the “purpose of forming an association or club for those interested in pleasure boats and aquatic sports…”. It has grown into one of the premier yacht clubs on the Great Lakes. In 2003 the Club moved to The Lighthouse Depot which was the old Naval Station/buoy Depot that had been converted to a restaurant. SJRYC centers around the Keeper’s Bar where members gather for companionship, food, beverages, and entertainment. The third floor has dining facilities that are available for events and private parties. There is no better place to be in the summer than the Rhumb Line Bar on the bank of the St. Joseph River. The pool is perfect for a relaxing afternoon and also hosts our youth swim team. The Club has an active sailboat racing program as well as multiple social groups. More information is available at the SJRYC Website: https://www.sjryc.com/

SJRYC Metrics

• 545 memberships, approximately 850 members
• Annual Food and Beverage Sales: $600K+
• Seasonal and full- time staff 20 – 25
• Club is open March 17th – December 31st

Position Description

The General Manager is responsible for the smooth running of all club operations, which includes a full- service kitchen and bar, swimming pool, sail/boating program, and special events. The General Manager possesses an intimate knowledge of the club’s policies and procedures and successfully carries out the directives of the Board of Directors as guided by the club’s mission statement and the club’s policies and procedures. The General Manager reports to the Board of Directors via the Club Commodore. The ideal candidate is an innovative problem solver and forward thinker who possesses excellent interpersonal skills. The candidate has a strong, measurable record of successful personnel, financial, and food/beverage service management. He/she also has the business skills to develop short and long-term strategies with input and approval from the Board in order to position the club for success well into the future. The position is full-time.

Position Duties

Financial Management

• Manages annual operating budget of $850,000, recording and analyzing financial statements, managing cash flow, and establishing controls to safeguard funds.
• Provides financial reports to the Board according to a set schedule and format.

Operations

• Manages successful communication and relationships among the Board of Directors, club owners (i.e., its membership), vendors, and staff to facilitate smooth operations overall.
• Specific emphasis on consistently enhancing an extraordinary experience for the members and their guests is primary to this position.
• Attends all Board of Directors meetings and Finance Committee meetings as needed, as well as ad hoc committee meetings.
• Manages all club assets, including facilities and equipment.
• Supervises galley and bar managers in the running of club dining and bar facilities, ensuring highest levels of quality are met.
• Maintains cleanliness, appearance and upkeep of facility, grounds and equipment.
• Keeps all club licenses and insurances current, accurate, and up to date.
• Ensures the club is operated in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Personnel Management

• 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 plan.
• Supervises a staff of 20-25 permanent and seasonal club personnel, including bar, kitchen, grounds, and pool staff.

Member Services

• Be visible and available to club members at all times, ensuring their expectations are met and often exceeded.
• Coordinates marketing and outreach to promote the club’s services and to recruit new members.
• Manages all club events, initiating a variety of activities and occasions to foster member engagement and good will.

Candidate Qualifications Required

• 3+ years of management experience, or equivalent
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Extensive personnel and financial management experience (3+ years)
• Experience with member relations or equivalent interpersonal experience
• Ability to successfully execute high-quality special events, including food and beverage service in unusually high-volume events (e.g., regattas)
• Familiarity with all basic PC software and general ease with technology (e.g., point-of sale systems) required; knowledge of technology needs for yacht club operations a plus
• Impeccable and verifiable references.
• Weekend availability

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience managing a private club
• Strong working familiarity with professional foodservice (e.g., skilled in the techniques of menu and recipe design; food preparation; ingredient selection; food ordering and operations; food safety, regulations, and science)
• Ability to manage concurrent responsibilities across business sectors
• A Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation or working towards is a plus.

Compensation

Annual compensation commensurate with experience. Compensation will include salary and performance bonus based on P&L, improved food and beverage sales and club operations.

How to apply for this position

Email a comprehensive resume and cover letter presenting your credentials and why the SJRYC appeals to you to: ben@harperjobs.com

CHIEF OF STAFF - DETROIT / ANN ARBOR, MI

• Newly created start up Family Office
• Song Family Office https://www.song.us
• Harper Associates is exclusively retained for this search

Our client is seeking an extremely intelligent, tech savvy hands-on Chief of Staff (COS) with a stellar career history for this truly exceptional opportunity. Bachelor’s degree (at minimum) is required, along with 10+ years relevant professional and executive administration required. Must have expertise in SaaS applications and services, including office applications, collaboration, business services, etc. (e.g. Google Apps, Slack, etc.) See additional requirements listed below.

*This is a hybrid position: must live within a reasonable commuting distance to Ann Arbor and downtown Detroit; some days can be done virtually at your own home. Flexibility to meet the needs of the employer and 24/7 mentality are essential for success in this role.

Song United is the family office of Dug and Linh Song. Reporting to the Principals, the COS will be the frontline in supporting the Song family and family office (Song United) in all personal and professional pursuits. The Song United’s mission is to create community wealth-social, economic, cultural and environmental, for a just and inclusive future for all.

This position will require strong organizational, communication, and execution skills. The COS will be the glue, right hand, air traffic controller - the person that keeps the chaos organized in the multitude of priorities across the Song family and Song United.

The COS will also work closely with the Director of Strategic Initiatives and the Song Foundation team to operationalize specific requests and projects.

This is a “start-up” family office environment – this person must be ready and comfortable with diving in to build and create alongside the rest of the team.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the calendars and priorities of Principals and help them establish the most effective way to accomplish what they need to get done with others, minimizing the number of meetings
• Respond to inbound requests in order of importance
• Arrange scheduling and logistics for Principals
• Strategize and be proactive in regard to supporting Principals to manage relationships with outside parties
• Handle appropriate action items leading up to meetings, ensure that Principals are appropriately prepared
• Prioritize, assign, and/or respond to all incoming communications and escalate and/or distribute to appropriate persons
• Ensure the right meetings are scheduled and prioritized accordingly, scheduling prep time for leadership if appropriate
• Coordinate travel arrangements, including hotels, flights, car services, restaurants, and more
• Liaise with appropriate parties to manage executive events and speaking engagements
• Daily collaboration with internal team to prioritize and deliver on projects and initiatives
• Establish process to support and communicate with principals through 1:1s and other meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years relevant professional and executive administration required
• Excellent communication skills in person, on the phone, and through correspondence
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across a racially and ethnically diverse team
• Capable of thriving in a high-trust, low-formality culture and environment, and be authentic with all internal and external stakeholders
• Competent and comfortable with SaaS applications and services
• Amazing organizational skills: You should have the ability to take chaos and turn it into real results
• Ability to handle sensitive correspondence and situations with the utmost discretion
• Familiarity working in a fast-paced, demanding, and deadline-driven environment
• Some availability outside of normal office hours for events and travel

The ideal candidate has supported multiple family principals and is comfortable navigating each of their independent concerns and schedules while still assisting them in finding time to spend together.

Dug Song is co-founder of the Song Foundation and former co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Duo Security, Michigan’s first tech unicorn and multibillion-dollar venture-backed acquisition. As a founder and funder, Song champions growing community wealth—economic, social, cultural, and environmental—to build a more just and inclusive future for all. Song is heavily involved in the global startup community and fostering entrepreneurship in Michigan as an active investor, advisor, and board member. He is co-founder of the Michigan Founders Fund, helping entrepreneurs turn business success into positive community impact, and serves on the boards of the Detroit Regional Chamber and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with a focus on racial justice and economic equity. In 2020, Song and his wife started the Song Foundation to invest in the innovative people and organizations improving the quality of life for all in Southeast Michigan. Song also serves on the executive board of Wallace House, home of the Knight-Wallace Fellowships for journalists, and on the advisory board of Venture for America in Detroit.

Send resume in a Word format attachment to ben@harperjobs.com

DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE

GROSSE POINTE YACHT CLUB Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

gpyc.org 

Harper Associates had been retained for this Search

Located on beautiful Lake St. Clair and centrally located to all the Great Lakes, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (GPYC) is an active, family-centric club, with facilities and activities that engage the entire family. Amenities, in addition to world-class yachting facilities and a 268-slip harbor, include a premier, year-round food and beverage program; a state-of-the-art swimming pool complex; tennis and paddle tennis facilities; and bowling lanes.

Club Details:

• Approximately $3.5M F&B revenue
• 45% a la carte and 40% banquet
• Approximately 275 total number of employees in season
• Catering sales volume $~1.6M annually
• 58 average age of members

Dining Rooms Include:

• The Spinnaker Restaurant (seats 60)
• Binnacle Restaurant (75)
• Seasonal Binnacle Terrace Dining (30)
• Main Dining Room Dining (100)
• Seasonal Harborside Grill & Gazebo Deck Dining near Pool (100)

Banquet Rooms Include:

• Commodore’s Room (20)
• Ballroom (275)
• Venetian Room(70)
• Lakeshore Room (30)
• Fo’c’sle at the Bowling Center (50)
• The Seasonal East Lawn (500)
• Tower Pub (30)
• Wine Cellar (10)

Food & Beverage Director Job Description:

Departments: Catering / Restaurant Service / Harborside Grill Service

Division: Food and Beverage

Reports to: General Manager

Supervises: Catering/Banquets, Restaurants, Harborside Grill (summer), Wine Program

Position Summary: Responsible for executing events and dining room service regularly. This includes coordinating with the catering, service, and culinary teams to ensure all guest expectations are met. The Food and Beverage Director serves as a key member of the Club’s management team and is responsible for the development and training of event and restaurant staff. They will be expected to go above and beyond to deliver memorable events while maintaining a high level of energy, professionalism, and hospitality. This role demands a proactive approach in identifying trends, developing innovative service strategies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and member satisfaction.

Job Duties:

Serves as a positive role model by:

• Adhering to the same standards of service and behavior that peers are required to uphold
• Demonstrating effective communication skills through various digital platforms utilized by Club
• Maintaining a positive and friendly demeanor at all times
• Working with peers to meet the needs of the team
• Representing the Club well in its relationships with members and vendors
• Continually provides services in the areas of:
• Exceeding the expectations of members and their guests, while representing the Club to the highest standards
• Ensuring accurate, detailed execution of all catered events and regular restaurant service
• Impeccable service and social perceptiveness
• Ability to evaluate guest satisfaction and responsiveness
• Ensuring all laws and Club policies and procedures regarding alcoholic beverage service are followed at all times
• Slowing and refusing alcoholic beverage service when necessary
• Continually seeking to enhance knowledge and skills related to service
• Maintaining self-awareness of members, management, and peers

Assumes responsibility for the department by:

• Creation, maintenance, and training of all catering and restaurant staff on departmental processes, procedures, and service standards
• Strategic marketing of principles to continually exceed the expectations and needs of Club members and guests
• Monitoring of departmental budgets, ensuring financial efficiency and high service quality
• Collaboration on menu design and maintenance of the point of sale system
• Maintaining proper record keeping for all departments
• Maintaining proper inventory levels, including wine, spirits, and bar
• Maintaining restaurant and catering storage areas in a neat, clean, and orderly manner
• Overseeing the creation of weekly schedules for all catering and restaurant staff
• Prioritizing and clearly communicating tasks with the General Manager / Food and Beverage Director, and Restaurant Staff concerning ongoing projects

Qualifications:

• TIPS certification preferred, but not required
• Sommelier certification preferred, but not required
• Ability to work scheduled evening hours including, when necessary, holidays and weekends

Excellent salary and incentive program, join a great private club.

Send resume in a Word format attachment to: ben@harperjobs.com

GENERAL MANAGER - THE CHIPPEWA CLUB - IRON MOUNTAIN, MI

Private Dining Club with exceptional food and service

POSITION REQUIRES RELOCATION TO IRON MOUNTAIN, MI

www.chippewa.club

Exclusive Search by Harper Associates

Iron Mountain is one of the largest cities in the MI Upper Peninsula and offers everything from lush forests, miles of rivers and streams, four seasons of outdoor recreation, and abundant wildlife, art, and music festivals, museums, famous sport competitions, along with unique shopping and dining.

The Club:

The Chippewa Club, an exquisite private dining club, was founded in 1945. With exceptional, personalized service and cozy charm in a historic setting, the Club serves as an ideal venue for business executives and the local community. Located in a former mining captain’s grand home on 5 acres in Iron Mountain, MI, the club has a rich history in the community. With a capacity of 150 guests, the Club is a popular choice for hosting small and large meetings, special events, weddings and all types of social gatherings.

Number of Members – 190

• Size: approx. 15,000 sq. ft. on 2 floors, including kitchen and utility space
• Gross Dollar volume - $860,000
• Annual Food and Beverage Sales 2022 - $650,000
• Annual Dues Volume - $210,000 (includes Building & Maintenance Fees)
• Dining Facilities: several a la carte dining rooms and lounge and an outdoor terrace with seating for 52

General Manager Overview:

The General Manager/ Food & Beverage Operations Manager of The Chippewa Club is a highly visible position, and the individual must possess the skills of interacting with members and promote guest satisfaction. The GM is ultimately responsible for all aspects of club operations excluding the kitchen operations and reports to a Board of Directors. The GM is a working manager position where they directly supervise office, wait staff and housekeeping, therefore candidates must realize the importance of good communication between management and their staff.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, communication, and managerial skills to oversee the daily operations of the club, as well as provide long term strategic vision and guidance. The General Manager will be actively involved in developing programs to grow membership and will help to increase presence in Iron Mountain through networking with community leaders. Looking for GM to elevate the member experience while creating a structure for operations and staff development. A new banquet and event sales program needs to be spearheaded. The membership will embrace an experienced professional with new ideas, service and beverage expertise, social media savvy, and reativity in club member events. Will also review and improve member communications – digital, club calendar, newsletter, emails, etc.

The Chippewa Club recently invested in the Clubessential Club Management Software platform. This candidate will develop the Club’s full utilization of the features and benefits of the system.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university preferred, with an emphasis on hospitality.
• 5+ years of experience as a General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Restaurant/FOH Manager or Clubhouse Manager in a private club setting. Background in luxury hotels/fine dining restaurants or upscale catering venues may also be considered.
• Experience with club finances, committees, P&L statements.
• Extensive food, beverage and catering management experience required.
• Exceptional people skills mandatory, with emphasis on member and employee relations.
• Salary and Benefits: $75,000 - $85,000 plus bonus, Vacation, Sick and Personal Days are paid in accordance with the Employee Manual.

Send resume in a Word format attachment to: ben@harperjobs.com