Woodway Country Club | Darien, Connecticut
Assistant General Manager

About the Club
Established in 1916, Woodway Country Club is a premier member-owned private club located on 184 acres in picturesque Darien, Connecticut, just one hour from New York City. The Club stands on pillars of tradition, community, and excellence and is dedicated to providing families with a comprehensive country club experience. At the heart of Woodway is a culture built on integrity, mutual respect, and a relentless dedication to overall member satisfaction.

Anchored by one of the state’s finest and nationally ranked golf courses, Woodway Country Club’s pride lies in its course, designed by the celebrated Golden Age architect Willie Park, Jr. Recently, the course has seen a multi-million-dollar, critically acclaimed restoration that has revived much of Park’s original architectural vision. The course justly deserves recognition by the National Audubon Society as the first course to be designated a bird sanctuary. Hosting approximately 23,000 rounds and multiple outings each season, the men, women, and juniors enjoy a vigorous member tournament schedule, and the golf course remains the vibrant heart of Woodway.

In addition, the Club offers services and amenities at its four primary venues: the Main Club, the Pool & Tennis complex, the Paddle Tennis facility, and the Beach Club. Spanning 50,000 square feet, the Main Club presents a diverse range of dining experiences, from formal to casual and expansive to intimate settings, including a newly renovated $4 million outdoor patio and banquet facilities. In addition, the Main Club encompasses the Pro Shop, a 4-lane bowling alley, the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and the Executive offices.

The 9,500-square-foot Pool and Tennis Complex (completed in 2013) boasts 10 clay tennis courts, a full-service pro shop, and a comfortable viewing pavilion. The pool area includes six 25-meter lanes, a twelve-foot diving well, a secure baby pool, and a dining pavilion next to a children’s day camp facility that hosts a bustling summer camp program that sells out quickly.

The modern five-court Paddle Tennis facility, completed in 2016, is strategically located at the edge of the golf course near the Pool and Tennis complex. It features its own street entrance and a cozy paddle hut where members can warm up by the stone fireplace and enjoy refreshments between matches. Woodway offers a comprehensive paddle program, including robust interclub league play, innovative clinics, tournaments, and intraclub competition for members of all ages and levels.

The Club’s racquets program offers a variety of programs throughout the spring, summer, and fall, including private and group lessons, interclub league play, USTA league competitions, and social and competitive tournaments and events for both adults and children.

The Beach Club is the fourth major facility at Woodway, situated 8 miles from the Main Club at Shippan Point along Long Island Sound in Stamford, Connecticut. Set across a 5-acre beachfront property, this scenic location boasts a charming 20,000 square foot clubhouse with a full kitchen, picnic patios, a private beach, two Deco Turf hard tennis courts, a range of aquatic activities, and a vibrant calendar of events throughout the summer season.

Woodway benefits from an engaged, welcoming, family-fun-oriented, diverse, and passionate membership that draws from Darien, New Canaan, and other neighboring Fairfield County towns. The Club operates as a not-for-profit entity, directed by an elected 15 Member Board of Governors, and is financially sound, with a robust waitlist for new members.

Woodway’s Board of Governors and membership are committed to providing a best-in-class environment to deliver superior member and guest experiences. The Board of Governors is currently working on a long-term master plan to continue this commitment to excellence. Future capital projects under consideration include (but are not limited to): Main Club renovations, Beach Club enhancements, expanded racquet sport infrastructure, a new or renovated Greens & Grounds maintenance facility, an updated golf range, and an improved driveway, entrance and parking lot at the Main Club.

The Club’s total revenue is $19.6 million, with $12 million from dues and $4.6 million from overall F&B. There are just under 650 members, with a waitlist.

About the Position
The Assistant General Manager plays a key leadership role, supporting the General Manager in guiding daily operations across the Club’s three locations. This position oversees dining and banquet services, the seasonal pool and camp programs, reception, housekeeping, maintenance, and security. The AGM helps shape budgets, manages department performance, and ensures exceptional service throughout the Club. The AGM will also act as the General Manager when needed and support committees in planning policies, events, and member programming. The focus remains clear: delivering seamless, high-quality experience for members and guests in every area of the Club.

What You’ll Do
Operations and Member Experience
• Lead the daily operations of the Club and ensure members receive excellent service.
• Stay visible on the floor to guide staff, support events, and oversee meal periods.
• Interact with members and guests, resolve issues quickly, and communicate updates to the General Manager.

Leadership and Collaboration
• Serve as the link between departments to keep operations coordinated.
• Lead House Committee meetings and act as the key point of contact for clubhouse operations.
• Oversee operations in the General Manager’s absence.

Food, Beverage, and Events
• Strengthen communication between Catering and Banquets and partner with the Banquet Manager to deliver flawless events.
• Build potent cocktail and wine programs that elevate the dining experience.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and General Manager on menu planning and overall dining strategy.

Financial and Administrative Management
• Assist in creating budgets and operating plans for food and beverage, maintenance, reception, and security.
• Monitor budgets, control costs, and oversee monthly inventories.
• Review labor schedules, manage payroll accuracy, and track key performance metrics.

Staff Development
• Work with Human Resources to recruit, train, and develop year-round and seasonal staff.
• Build a strong service culture centered on member satisfaction and recognition.
• Create ongoing training programs for food, beverage, and wine knowledge.
• Assist in the overall management of the H2B program.

Facilities, Safety, and Compliance
• Inspect clubhouse spaces regularly to ensure cleanliness, maintenance, and safety.
• Manage employee communication, dress standards, and workplace culture.
• Oversee safety protocols, accident reports, and emergency procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and employment regulations.

Strategic Support
• Participate in Executive Team and department meetings.
• Provide on-site support for capital projects and POS system updates.
• Research new products and present ideas that enhance service or improve operations.
• Attend industry seminars to stay up-to-date on club trends and best practices.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate thrives in a high-expectation, member-focused environment. This individual leads with presence, communicates with clarity, solves problems quickly, builds strong teams, and elevates service standards. The ideal candidate remains visible, engages naturally with members, develops staff, and drives continuous improvement across operations. This person balances tradition with innovation and brings a polished, professional presence to every interaction.

What You’ll Bring
Experience, Skills, and Attributes
• At least eight years of hospitality experience, including three years in a managerial role leading a team in a high-end, fast-paced and high volume food and beverage environment.
• Background in private clubs preferred, though luxury hotels, resorts, or comparable hospitality operations will be considered.
• Experience overseeing multiple outlets is strongly preferred.
• Pool and camp operations experience is a plus.
• Steady career progression with a record of strong performance and stability.
• Proven leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service and communication abilities with confidence interacting with members, guests, and staff at every level.
• Warm, engaging presence with an approachable style that builds trust with members, guests and team members.
• Passion for hospitality, service, and the overall member and guest experience. Advanced knowledge of food, wine, and beverages is helpful.
• Understanding of housekeeping, engineering, maintenance, and security functions.
• Strong attention to detail, especially in dining, service, and housekeeping areas.
• Excellent organizational skills with consistent follow-through and the ability to hold yourself and others accountable to standards, SOPs, and budgets.
• Analytical strength and project management capability.
• History of successfully training, motivating, and developing high-performing F&B teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort with POS systems.
• Experience building processes and procedures that bring structure, consistency, and efficiency.
• Awareness of workplace safety practices and the ability to respond appropriately in emergencies.
• Ability to balance respect for tradition with new ideas and innovation.
• Strong personal work ethic with a willingness to put in the necessary hours.
• Commitment to driving excellence in every area of the Club.
• Ability to stay calm, organized, and effective in high-volume or high-pressure moments.
• Experience working with volunteer committees is highly desired.

Education and Certification
• College degree preferred, especially in Hospitality Management or a related field.
• Pursuit of professional credentials such as CCM through CMAA or similar certifications is highly encouraged.

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 Karen Alexander via email at: karen@denehyctp.com.