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Greenwich Skating Club | Greenwich, Connecticut
General Manager
About the Club
Greenwich Skating Club (the “Club” or “GSC”) is a member-owned family club located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Founded in 1954, this seasonal Club provides families in Greenwich with competitive winter sports programming for hockey and figure skating and recreational skating and curling. It is a unique club that celebrates a culture of family, fun, collegiality, and competitiveness. The spirit of the programs for young hockey players and figure skaters is to develop their skills and establish lifelong friendships. Over the past 70 years, the coaching staff has included former NHL players and world-class figure skating instructors.
Club amenities include an outdoor private rink and a recently renovated clubhouse featuring a pro shop, fireplaces, coaching rooms, and a snack bar. In addition to the snack bar, the Club’s food and beverage service includes an outdoor grill service on Friday nights (“Friday Night Lights”) and a food truck on Saturday nights (“FrostBite Taco Night”). All food and beverage services are currently outsourced.
The Club has 250 members and a waitlist of 60 members. The waitlist, on average, is 25 to 30 families annually. Membership tenure averages ten years, typically when members’ children age out of the hockey and skating programs.
Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) is adjacent to GSC and is an important and multi-faceted relationship for the Club. GCDS serves as the Club’s outsourced business and accounting office. The GSC bylaws states the GCDS Headmaster, or an appointed representative will serve on the Board. Currently its CFO participates in the GSC’s monthly board meeting. In exchange, GCDS utilizes GSC for physical education and athletic programs and collaborates on events and shared use of facilities parking space when necessary.
Club programming for families, adults, and children of all ages includes:
- General Skating sessions every weekend.
- Travel hockey teams for boys ages 6-14 and girls ages 6-19.
- Learn-to-play hockey mini mites.
- Cardinal Road adult hockey league play with six teams and over 120 players.
- Free hockey (Stick and Puck) during holiday breaks.
- Figure skating lessons and programming starting at age three.
- Family parties and get-togethers.
- Unprecedented access to ice time simply not available at other programs.
A clubhouse renovation was completed in 2016. In the next few years, the rink will require a new slab, and the dasher boards and benches need to be replaced. The Club is undergoing a capital reserve study to understand its future capital needs. Capital improvements to the road and bridge infrastructure adjacent to the Club are also underway, and they will impact and alter access to the Club.
Each year, on or around November 1st, the Club opens its outdoor rink. After the first weekend in March, the Club typically closes the outdoor rink. In season, the Club is open seven (7) days a week from 6:30am to 10:00pm on weekdays and from 7:00am to 10:00pm on the weekends. In the off season, the administrative offices are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
About the Position
The General Manager is responsible for managing all Club operations consistent with the strategic direction and policies established by the 9-member Board of Governors, By-laws, and Rules & Regulations of the Club and in balance with Member value expectations and fiscal responsibility. He/she serves as a leader and custodian of the Club’s culture and traditions and fosters a service culture that provides excellent programming, services, and amenities that bring members together in a collegial and familial atmosphere.
The General Manager prepares the annual operating, cash, and capital budgets and forecasts, and manages, controls, and ensures accurate and timely financial reporting is available. He/she is responsible for coordinating and executing all outside ice contracts and developing and managing GSC’s ice schedule for all programs including hockey, figure skating, tournaments and special events. Working in concert with the committee chairs, the General Manager assists with the development of policies, programs, and events, and provides the operational and administrative support as needed for implementation.
As a leader and role model for all employees, the General Manager demonstrates a professional and outgoing demeanor and work ethic and fosters a collegial working environment that encourages teamwork, achievement, and excellence. He/she recruits, develops, and retains top talent who are passionate about their respective sports and fosters a club culture of competition, growth, and fun.
About the Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an excellent leader, team builder, communicator, delegator, and motivator with energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization. Candidates should have a strong work ethic and encourage others to get things done with a reasonable sense of urgency around operating the Club.
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively more responsible club or ice rink management positions leading up to a General Manager or General Manager position and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for hockey and figure skating. Experience with ice rink operations is beneficial but not a requirement.
This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to “manage up” effectively to the Board and know what is appropriate to communicate and what is “below the line.”
Ideal candidates will be college graduates with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Hospitality Management, or equivalent. Professional certifications (CCM, CCE) or similar professional development achievements are highly desired.
Apply for This Position
Interested candidates should complete the online candidate profile form and submit a compelling cover letter and resume for consideration to DENEHY Club Thinking Partners at http://denehyctp.com/apply-for-a-position/. If you have any questions or to recommend a candidate, please contact Barbara McAuliffe at 203.319.8228 or by email at barbara@denehyctp.com.