General Manager Wisconsin Club Milwaukee Wisconsin Opportunity After 27 years, the Wisconsin Club s General Manager, John Constantine is retiring, effective October, 2017. As a result, the Club has started a search for a new GM, who will report to the Club s Board of Directors. The Wisconsin Club is unique. It operates a City Club and a Country Club; has over 1,450 members and generated $6 million in food and beverage revenue ($13 million in gross revenue) in its latest fiscal year. The Club is the largest and busiest private club in the state. Both of our facilities are in very good condition, and we invest over $1 million annually, out of operating revenue, for maintenance and improvements to our facilities. The majority of the senior management has been with the Club 15 years, or more. The Board of Director s philosophy is two-fold. First, make sure that the Club continues to wisely invest in its members, facilities and staff. Secondly, while providing guidance and oversight, allow the general manager and staff the ability to run the Club. We are looking for an individual, with a proven track record; a strong marketing focus, the understanding, and vision to continue to provide Wisconsin Club members and their guests with the best private club experience. Overview The Wisconsin Club, founded in 1891, is one of only a few private clubs in the nation to own and operate both a City Club and a Country Club.
Nine hundred West Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, located within walking distance of Marquette University and the Wisconsin Convention Center, has been the home of the City Club since 1895. The Clubhouse and Belvedere on the Club s south grounds, has long been considered an architectural treasure. Over the years it has been expanded, renovated and redecorated, while maintaining the Victorian charm of the original building, home to industrialist Alexander Mitchell and his wife Martha. In 2009 the Wisconsin Club took over the management of Brynwood Country Club, located approximately 9 miles north of their downtown location, and purchased it in 2010. While the Wisconsin Club has two locations, it is one Club. All members have dining privileges at both locations, and can take advantage of: all of the City Club s social events, the Club s concierge service offering tickets to many theater, concert and sporting events, and the Club s 5 complimentary shuttles, which takes members and their guests to countless Milwaukee area events. In addition, all social members can attend many Country Club events and there are select tee times set aside for non-golf member who may golf up to 3 times per season. During the past twenty-five years, the Club has invested over $20 million for improvements, without any special member assessments, initiation fees or monthly minimums. The Club recently celebrated its 125 th anniversary, has a very solid balance sheet and is well positioned for the future. Additional Information The City Club has an elegant dining room and veranda for outdoor dining and a casual sports bar. The Club s stunning grand ballroom and outdoor balcony can accommodate up to 350 guests for sit down occasions, and is booked for private functions most weekends through 2017. There is a smaller private dining room with original fireplace, and 7 meeting rooms. The Club also has two surface parking lots. In 2015 also established a Mitchell Mansion Preservation Initiative, partnering with the Wisconsin Preservation Fund, a 501 (c)(3) organization. The express purpose of the initiative is to provide a tax deductible giving opportunity for members and other interested
parties to help preserve the Mitchell Mansion, which is part of the City Club s clubhouse. A virtual tour is available on the Club s website, wisconsinclub.com. The Country Club s clubhouse has been completely updated and redecorated, since its purchase. There s a casual and formal dining room, both with outside decks overlooking the golf course and a separate outdoor dining area and bar complete with a fire pit. The Club s ballroom can accommodate over 300 guests, and an outdoor garden that can be tented and also accommodate up to 300 guests. Both the men s and women s locker rooms have been updated, and there s a fitness center. The golf course is a par 72 championship, 6,700 yard course with meticulously manicured greens, contoured fairways, strategically placed hazards and naturally beautiful serene surroundings. In 2014, the first phase of a three phase renovation was completed by noted, golf course architect, Bruce Hepner, and his company Hepner Golf Design, and the Club s golf course superintendent and his staff. Fairways were widened, bunkers added, and/or repositioned and 900 trees removed. Construction on phase two, a new irrigation system started this October, and plans for phase three, a new practice facility are being developed. The golf professional and golf course superintendent have been at the Country Club for 9 years and 10 years, respectively. The pro shop is fully stocked with the latest in merchandise and offers lessons using the latest in video equipment. The Country Club also has an Olympic sized swimming pool, a recently remodeled poolside café, an updated tennis shop and newly resurfaced tennis courts. The General Manager Position The general Manager is responsible for the day to day operation of all aspects of the Club. Job Knowledge, Core Competencies, and Expectations Sincere and consistent member and staff engagement as the face of the club. Attentiveness to member services, programming and satisfaction. Strong organizational skills and an obsession with the details necessary to achieve high levels of quality, satisfaction and outstanding member experiences. Effective financial management skills through oversight of annual operating and capital budgets. Process driven leadership; setting standards of performance and execution and ensuring that they are consistently maintained is critical. Strong staff leadership, volunteer partnering and strategic planning experience.
Understands the Club s marketplace, locations and culture and works to position the Club within the community as one of the most desirable and admired clubs. Able to set appropriate goals and objectives to ensure the Club s current and future success. A confident, diplomatic, and competent professional who is a doer and take-charge person, who recognizes the importance of accountability. A creative problem solver who commands respect through professional interactions and integrity. Education and Experience Bachelor s degree from a four-year college or university preferred.. Hospitality Management major preferred. Ten or more years of experience in the private club or hospitality industry with six or more years as a manager. The club will consider both current GMs, as well as those rising stars with the necessary potential, but who are currently in exceptional club environments as an Assistant General Manager, Club Manager, or having similar responsibilities. Job Duties Maintains contact with members and helps to assure maximum member satisfaction. Oversees the preparation and management of annual operating and multi-year capital budgets supporting the strategic and tactical initiatives and expectations established with the Board Oversees daily club operations. Approves budgets, staffing and general operating procedures for the club facilities and directs the work of department managers Proactively develops member programs and club events. Researches new products and develops an analysis of their costs and benefits. Monitors the budget and directs corrective action procedures as necessary to help assure that budget goals are attained. Functions as an administrative link between departments. Monitors internal cost control procedures. Plans and coordinates training and professional development programs for club personnel. Assists the Board of Directors in developing and implementing long-range (strategic) and annual business plans, operating reports and forecasts. Monitors safety conditions and employees conformance with safety procedures; updates emergency plans and procedures and assures that effective training for these programs is conducted in all departments. Receives and resolves complaints from club members, guests and employees. Assures that the club s preventive maintenance and energy management programs
are on schedule and in use. Assists in the planning of facility improvements, remodeling, construction and repair, and interacts with applicable club committees for this purpose. Participates in ongoing facility inspections throughout the club to assure that cleanliness, maintenance, safety and other standards are consistently attained. Communicates important information to members and staff recognizing that the ability to convey information in an articulate, well-conceived and well-written manner is of utmost importance. Serves as an ad hoc member of appropriate club committees. Attends management and staff meetings as scheduled. Interacts with members answering questions, solving problems, overseeing services and cleanliness and showing the club facilities to visitors. Approves all entertainment in consultation with the Special Events Manager and others. Serves as a club representative within the community. Counsels with other managers and employees about employee grievances and complaints; directs problem correction where possible. Monitors labor; evaluates scheduled and actual labor hours and costs. Reviews all accidents and supervises accident report preparation. Advises the Board about the development and revision of club by-laws and policies; consistently enforces all policies. Develops long-term staffing needs. Ensures that all legal requirements are consistently followed. Monitors employee dress codes and member dress codes as applicable. Conducts training and other meetings with department staff. Designations Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation through CMAA or in current pursuit of this designation is desirable. Compensation An appropriate salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered. The Club will further consider a performance bonus, along with its benefit package that includes an employer sponsored retirement plan, car, entertainment allowance, and typical CMAA benefits. Please send a current resume and a letter of interest addressed to the Wisconsin Club Search Committee for this position to john@persalaw.com.