Club Manager, Shifnal Golf Club

Reports to Chair of the Board of Directors (and, in respect of specific matters, the Board of Directors as a whole)

Direct reports Heads of Department / Supervisors across Food & Beverage, Clubhouse Operations, Administration and Front of House. (The Course Manager is not a direct report and retains full responsibility for the golf course and grounds maintenance - see 'Scope of the Role' below.)

Location Shifnal Golf Club, Decker Hill, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8QL

Hours Full-time, permanent. The role requires flexibility, including regular evening, weekend and bank holiday working to support Club events, competitions and peak trading periods.

Salary Competitive, commensurate with experience - details available on application

About Shifnal Golf Club

Founded in 1929 at Brimstree, Shifnal, Shifnal Golf Club has a proud history spanning almost a century. In 1964 the Club relocated to its current home at Decker Hill, a majestic Grade II Listed Georgian clubhouse set within an outstanding parkland course designed by the renowned golf course architects TC Cotton & Partners.

Located close to the M54 motorway, midway between Wolverhampton and Telford, Shifnal is a proud, award-winning private members' club with over 800 members. The Club combines a rich heritage with modern thinking, innovation and best practice, and is ambitious for its future.

Role Summary

The Club Manager will play a key role in the day-to-day leadership and management of the Club, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, the Club Professional and the Course Manager. The role enables the Board to focus on strategic governance while the Club Manager takes ownership of operational delivery, commercial performance, staff leadership and member experience.

The successful candidate will maintain and enhance the Club's profitability, reputation and status through astute, efficient and proactive management, ensuring Shifnal continues to be regarded as one of the region's leading private members' clubs.

Scope of the Role

This is a clubhouse and business management role. The Club Manager has no direct responsibility for the golf course, greenkeeping operations or agronomy - these fall under the remit of the Course Manager, who reports separately to the Board. The Club Manager is, however, expected to work collaboratively with the Course Manager to ensure the course, practice facilities and clubhouse present a consistent, high-quality experience for members and visitors, and to align course-related capital and revenue planning with the Club's overall budget.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Leadership & Operational Management

• Provide strong leadership, clear direction and effective line management across all operational departments, including Food & Beverage, Clubhouse operations, Front of House and Administration.
• Ensure the Club consistently delivers a high-quality experience for members and visitors, operating efficiently, safely and profitably.
• Recruit, induct, train, lead, develop and motivate staff, fostering a positive culture that reflects the Club's values and ethos.
• Identify current and future workforce requirements to meet the Club’s operational and strategic objectives.
• Develop, implement and regularly review standard operating procedures across all departments.
• Maintain strong working relationships with contractors, suppliers and other key stakeholders.
• Liaise closely with the Course Manager to ensure the course and practice facilities are consistently maintained to a high standard and that clubhouse and course operations are well coordinated.
• Oversee the presentation, maintenance and continual improvement of the clubhouse, facilities, car parks and immediate surrounding grounds, and manage all physical assets, inventory and resources of the Club.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice relating to health and safety, employment law, governance, licensing and GDPR.
• Manage all HR policies, procedures and employee matters, working in partnership with the Club's appointed HR consultants.
• Promote and uphold the Club's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across both membership and employment practices.
• Prepare, manage and monitor the Club's annual operating and capital budgets and business plans in line with agreed strategic priorities and performance objectives.
• Take responsibility for the Club's financial performance, including forecasting, management accounts, cash flow and cost control, reporting regularly to the Board of Directors.
• Coordinate catering requirements for Club functions, competitions and events with the catering team.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve profitability and develop new commercial and value-added income streams to enable further investment in facilities and people.
• Ensure robust use of EPOS, booking and membership systems to support accurate trading, stock control and financial reporting.

Strategic Leadership & Development

• Support the Board of Directors in the development, refinement and delivery of the Club's Strategic Plan, providing informed input into strategic direction.
• Lead and oversee modernisation projects, including facility improvements, sustainability initiatives, digital transformation and enhancements to member services.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and operational excellence throughout the Club.

Member Experience & Engagement

• Maintain a visible, approachable and professional presence throughout the Club, building positive relationships with members, visitors and staff.
• Ensure consistently high standards of customer service across all aspects of the Club's operations.
• Monitor and respond constructively to member feedback to improve satisfaction, engagement and retention.
• Support initiatives to recruit, engage and retain members across all membership categories, working with the Membership Committee where relevant.

Marketing, Membership & Community

• Oversee the Club's marketing, communications, social media and digital presence (including website management) to promote the Club effectively and strengthen its reputation.
• Develop and review, in coordination with senior colleagues, a coordinated sales and marketing strategy for the Club, including golf societies, visitor golf and function/event business.
• Ensure the Club remains relevant, attractive and competitive within an evolving golf market.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with the local community, partner organisations, the Club Professional's operation, and external stakeholders and agencies as appropriate.

Person Specification

Experience & Qualifications

• A proven track record as a General Manager, Club Manager or in a senior leadership role within a comparable membership, hospitality or leisure organisation, with responsibility for operations, staffing and financial management.
• Proven experience of budget preparation, financial reporting, management accounts and cash flow management.
• A relevant management, hospitality or business qualification is desirable (e.g. a business-related degree or equivalent professional experience); membership of a relevant professional body (such as PGA M&AA / GCMA) would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Competency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ideally experience of EPOS, membership and booking software systems.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with an inspirational, confident and supportive coaching management style that motivates, develops and inspires teams.
• A professional, approachable and member-focused individual with a genuine passion for delivering first-class service standards.
• Excellent communication, organisational, interpersonal and IT skills.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to deliver value for money and identify new revenue opportunities.
• An understanding of HR management, UK employment law, health and safety legislation, governance and licensing requirements.
• The ability to think strategically while maintaining a hands‑on approach to the day‑to‑day operation of a successful members' club.
• The ability to think on their feet and respond effectively to the unexpected.
• A genuine passion for golf and club management, and a desire to continuously develop professional knowledge and capabilities.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, equality and diversity within a private members' club environment.
• A willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, to support Club events, competitions and peak operational times.

What Shifnal Golf Club Offers

A competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the experience and skills of the successful applicant, together with the opportunity to lead a well-established, ambitious and highly regarded private members' club with a rich heritage and a clear vision for the future.

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