The Country Club of New Canaan | New Canaan, Connecticut
Retail Manager

About the Club
Founded in 1893, the Country Club of New Canaan (CCNC) is a distinguished, family-oriented, member-owned private club located in a quiet residential enclave of New Canaan, Connecticut, approximately 45 miles from New York City. The Club serves a loyal, welcoming, and highly engaged membership drawn primarily from New Canaan and the surrounding Fairfield County communities.

The Club operates as a not-for-profit organization led by a General Manager/COO and governed by an elected Board of 15 Governors. CCNC is financially strong, well-governed, and maintains a long-standing waitlist for membership, reflecting sustained demand and member satisfaction.

Serving more than 600 members, the Club offers a comprehensive portfolio of recreational and social amenities, including an 18-hole Willie Park, Jr. designed golf course, extensive practice facilities, dedicated golf and racquets pro shops, tennis, paddle, squash, and aquatics facilities, and a modern clubhouse completed in 2020. Members enjoy a vibrant social calendar, robust junior programming, and a highly regarded children’s summer camp.

In late 2025, the Club transitioned the golf retail operation to full club ownership. This shift creates a compelling opportunity for a skilled retail leader to shape strategy, elevate performance, and define best-in-class retail standards within a premier private club environment.

The Golf Shop operates seasonally from April 1 through December 23. During the season, hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended hours on tournament days to accommodate member shopping and prize redemption.

The Club at a Glance

• 605-member families with strong engagement and consistent retail demand
• $14M in total annual revenue and $600K in gross merchandise sales
• 26,000 Annual golf rounds
• Active year-round sports, social, and junior programming
• Modern operating platforms, including JONAS POS and ForeTees

Facilities & Amenities

• 18-hole Willie Park Jr. designed golf course
• 28,000 square-foot clubhouse completed in 2020
• Club-owned Golf Pro Shop
• Professional-owned Racquets Pro Shop
• Seven Har-Tru tennis courts
• Four pickleball courts
• Five paddle courts with a dedicated paddle hut
• Three single squash courts and one double court
• Swimming pool, wading pool, and pool house with full kitchen and snack bar
• Men’s and women’s locker rooms
• Robust junior programs, adult lessons, clinics, and summer camp
• Highly active social and tournament calendar

About the Position
The Retail Manager leads a high-touch, performance-driven merchandising operation aligned with the tastes, expectations, and demographics of the Club’s membership. Reporting directly to the General Manager/COO, the role oversees all day-to-day retail operations and plays a central role in the evolution of the Club’s retail program following its recent transition to a fully club-owned model.

This position sets the standard for service, presentation, and financial discipline. It establishes structure, sharpens execution, and defines retail practices that support long-term performance. Member experience remains the priority, reinforced through thoughtful buying, strong visual standards, and disciplined inventory management.

The Retail Manager works closely with the Head Golf Professional, CFO, Director of Racquets, Squash Professional, and Golf Course Superintendent to align retail strategy with programming, events, and overall Club operations.

What You’ll Do
Sales & Member Service

• Deliver personalized, relationship-based service that builds member loyalty
• Execute sales initiatives that meet or exceed monthly and annual revenue and margin goals
• Drive performance through merchandising cadence, special events, and service standards
• Coach and develop staff to elevate selling skills and product expertise
• Analyze sales trends to guide promotions, markdowns, and clearance decisions

Purchasing & Buying

• Lead the merchandising philosophy and annual buying plan for soft goods and accessories
• Support hard goods purchasing in partnership with the Head Golf Professional
• Use data to make informed buying, reordering, and inventory adjustments
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, incentives, and special programs
• Maintain a balanced mix of core, seasonal, and event-driven merchandise
• Stay current on golf, apparel, and broader retail trends
• Attend approved buying shows and industry events within budget

Merchandising & Marketing

• Execute seasonal and year-round merchandising and pricing strategies
• Curate assortments aligned with member demographics and purchasing behavior
• Develop and maintain member profiles to anticipate demand and preferences
• Oversee floor layout, visual standards, and stock rotation
• Train staff on merchandising execution and presentation expectations

Inventory Control & Financial Oversight

• Manage merchandise receiving, tracking, and flow through the POS system
• Maintain accurate inventory controls and data integrity
• Conduct physical inventories and complete reconciliations on schedule
• Forecast sales performance tied to seasonality and club events
• Implement loss-prevention practices to reduce shrinkage and excessive markdowns
• Establish clear inventory procedures and ensure staff compliance

Ideal Candidate

• Minimum of five years of golf retail or specialty apparel management experience overseeing $500K+ in annual sales
• Private club experience or formal education in fashion merchandising preferred
• Demonstrated strength in visual merchandising and presentation
• Proven ability to grow revenue, improve inventory turns, and manage cost of goods
• Strong organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal
• Solid knowledge of golf and familiarity with private club or luxury retail environments
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, POS, and inventory management systems
• Flexible schedule with availability for weekends and holidays
• Membership in the Association of Golf Merchandisers is preferred

Apply for This Position

Interested candidates should complete the online retail manager form  (not the club management form) and email a compelling cover letter and resume for consideration to newsubmissions@denehyctp.com with the subject line: Country Club of New Canaan – Retail Manager.

Please contact Barb McAuliffe at 203.319.8228, ext. 349, or by email barbara@denehyctp.com with any questions or candidate recommendations.