General Manager

Job Description

Job Description:POSITION DESCRIPTIONPosition: General ManagerReports To: President, Board of DirectorsFLSA Category: ExemptLocation: Club Giraud San Antonio, TexasAbout Club GiraudClub Giraud is a uniquely wonderful private city club that proudly celebrates and embraces its deep San Antonio roots. Located in the heart of downtown along the famed San Antonio River Walk, the Club occupies a remarkable historic setting. Its back patio overlooks the River Walk, giving Club Giraud a sense of place unlike any other private club in the city.With approximately 1,000 prominent San Antonio and Texas member families, Club Giraud has long been a gathering place for many of the region's business, civic, philanthropic and community leaders.Club Giraud celebrated 40 years of serving its membership in 2023. The Club traces its establishment to the early 1980s and opened its doors in 1983, when its historic buildings were thoughtfully restored and repurposed as a private dining club. From its beginning, Club Giraud's mission extended beyond exceptional cuisine and warm hospitality to include preservation of its historic home and support of arts education on the surrounding campus.The Club takes its name from François Giraud, the accomplished architect, surveyor, conservationist, city engineer and eventual Mayor of San Antonio who designed and supervised construction of the Ursuline Academy buildings. Today, the historic campus surrounding Club Giraud is part of The University of Texas at San Antonio following the integration of the former Southwest School of Art into UTSA. The relationship creates an unusual and meaningful connection among the Club, higher education, the arts, historic preservation and the broader San Antonio community. UTSA has described the continuing mission as preserving the historic campus while advancing arts education and community programming, and Club Giraud continues its philanthropic support of those efforts.Elegant yet understated, Club Giraud reflects the warmth, history and hospitality of both San Antonio and Texas. Exceptional food and highly personalized service have long been central to the Club's identity.That culture of personal hospitality is deeply valued and must remain central to Club Giraud's future. At the same time, the Board of Directors recognizes an important opportunity for its next General Manager to build upon this remarkable foundation and lead the Club confidently into its next chapter.Throughout the General Manager search discovery process, two words consistently emerged from the Board and Search Committee to describe the mandate for the Club's next leader:PROTECT & PROPELProtect the traditions, history, relationships, standards of hospitality and distinctive character that make Club Giraud special.Propel the Club forward by increasing member utilization and engagement, strengthening its relevance to current and future generations of members, developing and supporting its staff, thoughtfully introducing new ideas and experiences, and ensuring that Club Giraud remains one of San Antonio's most distinctive private clubs.The successful candidate will understand that these responsibilities are not competing priorities.Club SpecificsClub data to be added following receipt and confirmation of information from Club management. Total Members: 1,000 (170 of which are non-resident members) Average Membership Age: 60 – 65 years of age Annual Operating Revenue: $3.6M Annual Food & Beverage Revenue: $2M Full-Time Employees: 45 Club Operating Schedule: Open 6 days/week (Sundays closed), 12 months a year Dining Venues: 7 total dining rooms in clubhouse Private Event/Catering Capacity: 350 indoors, largest events indoors/outdoors 750 Governance Structure: GM reports to 12-member Board; President's term is 2 years Additional Club Data: 5 Senior/Executive staff report directly to the GM Position SummaryThe General Manager serves as Club Giraud's chief operating executive and is responsible for the leadership, management and successful execution of all Club operations. Reporting to the President and Board of Directors, the GM leads the Club's staff, oversees financial and operational performance, and bears primary responsibility for delivering an exceptional and highly personalized member experience.This is a visible, hands-on leadership position. The successful General Manager will genuinely enjoy knowing members, being present throughout the Club, engaging with staff, attending Club events, understanding the details of the operation and ensuring that members and their guests consistently feel welcomed, recognized and exceptionally well served.The next GM must also be a thoughtful change leader. Club Giraud is not seeking change simply for the sake of change. Rather, the Board seeks a leader who will first listen and learn, earn the confidence of members and staff, understand the traditions and practices that deserve to be preserved, and then thoughtfully identify opportunities to strengthen the Club.Increasing member utilization and engagement will be an important priority. The GM will be expected to work collaboratively with the Board and staff to create compelling reasons for members to use their Club more frequently—through outstanding dining, at-home catering, creative programming, memorable events, effective communications, and experiences that remain relevant to both longstanding and newer generations of members. Primary ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Staff Development Lead with integrity, humility, visibility and professionalism, serving as the cultural and operational leader of Club Giraud. Build strong, trusting relationships with the Club's highly tenured staff while respecting the institutional knowledge and relationships they have developed over many years. Establish clear expectations, accountability and consistent standards throughout the organization – a highly attractive staff working culture that is NOT optional. Recruit, retain, develop and mentor talented department leaders and employees. Recognize where long-standing practices remain effective while possessing the judgment and courage to address practices, structures or performance that need to evolve. Develop appropriate succession and staffing plans to ensure continuity as long-tenured employees eventually transition from the organization. Promote communication and collaboration across all Club departments. Member Experience & Engagement Be highly visible, accessible and approachable to members and guests. Develop authentic relationships with members while learning their preferences, expectations and traditions. Preserve Club Giraud's deeply personal style of hospitality and its reputation for gracious, accommodating service. Ensure that food, beverage, service and events consistently meet the high standards expected by the membership. Proactively seek member feedback and respond thoughtfully and discreetly to concerns and opportunities. Develop creative programming, dining experiences and events that provide members compelling reasons to use their Club more frequently. Seek opportunities to engage newer and younger members while continuing to honor and serve the Club's longstanding membership. Evaluate member utilization and participation and use that information to help guide programming, communications and operational decisions. Serve as THE steward of the Club Giraud brand and experience. Food, Beverage & EventsFood, beverage and special events are central to the Club Giraud experience. The successful candidate must understand and appreciate the importance of this aspect of the operation. Provide executive leadership and oversight of all food and beverage operations. Partner and lead the culinary and service leadership effectively to maintain exceptional food quality, consistency, and hospitality. Understand both à la carte dining and private-event/catering operations. Maintain strong awareness of food and beverage costs, labor, purchasing, pricing and financial performance. Ensure special events are planned and executed with exceptional attention to detail. Identify opportunities to better utilize Club facilities and capabilities for member dining, catering at member homes, events, celebrations and unique experiences. Membership Utilization & Club Relevance Make increased member utilization a central management priority. Develop a clear understanding of when, why and how members currently use—or do not use—the Club. Collaborate with the Board and staff to develop strategies that increase dining participation, event attendance and overall Club engagement. Strengthen communication of Club activities, experiences and capabilities so members fully understand and appreciate what is available to them. Help position Club Giraud as an increasingly relevant part of members' business, social and family lives. Respect the Club's history while helping create new traditions worthy of becoming part of that history. Governance & Strategic Partnership Serve as a trusted advisor and professional partner to the President and Board of Directors. Maintain open, timely and transparent communication with Club leadership. Provide the Board with clear information, thoughtful recommendations and appropriate financial and operational analysis. Understand and respect the distinction between governance and management, enabling the Board to govern effectively while accepting accountability for managing Club operations. Execute Board-approved policies and strategic priorities. Assist the Board in evaluating the Club's long-term opportunities, challenges and strategic direction. Develop appropriate operating plans and measurable objectives. Financial & Business Management Develop, recommend and manage annual operating and capital budgets. Provide accurate, timely and understandable financial reporting to the President and Board. Demonstrate strong understanding of revenue, expenses, labor, food and beverage costs, cash flow and operating performance. Maintain appropriate internal controls and sound business practices. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and financial performance without diminishing the member experience. Evaluate investments and expenditures through the lens of both financial stewardship and member value. Protect and responsibly manage the Club's financial and physical assets. Operations, Facilities & Communications Maintain executive oversight of all Club operations and ensure consistent coordination among departments. Possess exceptional attention to detail and recognize that seemingly small details can significantly influence the member experience. Ensure the Club's historic facilities are maintained with care and presented at a standard appropriate to its membership and setting. Evaluate operational systems, technology and processes and recommend thoughtful improvements where appropriate. Strengthen internal and member communications so Club activities, experiences and opportunities are effectively promoted. Maintain appropriate safety, compliance and risk-management practices.The Ideal CandidateClub Giraud seeks a leader who understands that hospitality is personal.The successful candidate will possess executive presence without pretension; confidence without ego; and the ability to move comfortably from a Board meeting to the dining room, kitchen, private event or employee conversation.The ideal candidate will be: Warm and relational — someone who genuinely enjoys members and people. Visible and engaged — a leader who believes the GM's presence matters. An exceptional listener — particularly during the early months of leadership. Respectful of history and tradition without being constrained by either. A thoughtful change leader who builds trust before implementing significant change. Strong in food and beverage and special-event operations, with an appreciation for excellent cuisine, service and hospitality. Financially astute, capable of understanding both the details and broader implications of Club financial performance. A developer of people who establishes clear expectations while supporting, coaching and recognizing staff. Detail-oriented and hands-on (A Noticer), willing to notice and address the seemingly small things that collectively define an exceptional Club. Creative and forward-thinking, particularly regarding member programming, communications and utilization. Comfortable working with a Board of Directors and clear about the appropriate relationship between governance and professional management. Decisive when necessary, while possessing the judgment to know when to listen, when to preserve and when to act. A confident leader. A leader who understands that success at Club Giraud will ultimately be measured not simply by financial results, but also by member pride, utilization, staff engagement, service excellence and the Club's continued relevance.Qualifications — Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Significant senior-level leadership experience within a respected private club, luxury hospitality organization, high-end restaurant operation or similarly service-intensive environment. Demonstrated success leading and developing employees and department leaders. Strong food and beverage knowledge and appreciation for exceptional culinary and service standards. Experience overseeing private events, catering and high-touch hospitality experiences. Proven financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control and financial reporting. Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a Board, ownership group or comparable governance structure. Exceptional interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational skills and attention to operational detail. Demonstrated ability to lead change while maintaining organizational trust and cultural continuity. Appropriate proficiency with contemporary technology and hospitality/club management systems. Bachelor's degree preferred. CMAA involvement and professional certifications such as CCM and/or CCE are valued, but the Search Committee will consider the totality of a candidate's leadership experience, professional accomplishments, and cultural fit.Compensation & BenefitsBase Salary: $215,000–$260,000, commensurate with the selected candidate's experience and qualificationsAnnual Performance Bonus: Up to 10% of base salaryInsurance & Retirement: Full participation in Club Giraud's staff insurance and 401(k) plansAdditional Benefits: All other standard benefits provided to Club Giraud staffWhy This OpportunityThere are private clubs where a General Manager is primarily charged with managing an operation. Club Giraud offers something more personal.This is an opportunity to become the steward of a distinctive San Antonio institution—one rooted in history, relationships, exceptional hospitality