Director of Agronomy

Job Description

Job Description

 

THE OPPORTUNITY
Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club seeks an accomplished golf course maintenance executive to lead the care, improvement, and long-range management of the Club’s golf course, grounds, landscaping, open spaces, and maintenance equipment. The successful candidate will combine exceptional agronomic knowledge with strong executive leadership, construction and renovation expertise, disciplined financial management, and clear communication with Club leadership and committees. Golf course construction and renovation experience is required, as the Club will close the golf course on April 5, 2027, to rebuild all 18 greens and complete other exciting course enhancements.

Candidate Overview

The ideal candidate is a visible, hands-on leader who can maintain exemplary playing conditions while building and executing a thoughtful long-range plan for the golf course and Club grounds. This individual should be equally comfortable in the field with the maintenance team, managing complex projects and budgets, and presenting recommendations to the General Manager, Golf & Green Committee, and other Club stakeholders.

Leadership Priorities

• Consistently deliver exemplary golf course playing conditions and high standards across the Club grounds and landscaping.
• Lead, develop, motivate, and hold accountable superintendents, assistants, and golf course maintenance staff.
• Build a strong culture of safety, professionalism, efficiency, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with the General Manager and Club committees on maintenance standards, capital planning, renovations, and long-range priorities.
• Communicate complex agronomic, construction, and operational matters with clarity and composure to both large and small groups.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Golf Operations and support successful tournaments and events.

Agronomic & Technical Expertise

• Advanced knowledge of agronomy and turfgrass management practices, including the maintenance of putting greens, tees, fairways, roughs, and bunkers.
• Deep understanding of irrigation, watering practices, wells, pumps, automatic controls, drainage systems, fertilization, pesticides, nutrients, and soil conditioners.
• Ability to inspect the golf course regularly, identify needs, recommend solutions, and direct both routine and large-scale improvements.
• Knowledge of golf course architecture, construction, renovation principles, and associated infrastructure including cart paths, service roads, ponds, streams, bridges, shelters, and related facilities.
• Knowledge of ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping practices, and the care of Club grounds and open spaces.
• Thorough understanding of the rules and strategies of the game of golf.

Construction, Renovation & Long-Range Planning

• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage golf course construction projects, renovations, and repairs to associated buildings and structures.
• Experience developing and maintaining drainage, irrigation, and watering systems.
• Ability to apply agronomic, business, and administrative expertise to achieve both immediate course standards and long-range goals.
• Experience working with Club leadership and committees to plan maintenance, improvement, renovation, and capital projects.

Financial & Operational Management

• Prepare annual operating and capital budgets for golf course maintenance and landscaping in alignment with established standards and long-range plans.
• Exercise disciplined cost control and maintain operating and capital expenditures as closely as possible to approved budgets.
• Oversee equipment acquisition, maintenance programs, inventory control, utilization, performance, and staff productivity.
• Maintain accurate records for maintenance procedures, pesticide applications, inventory, weather, employee timekeeping, and payroll.
• Ensure chemicals, petroleum products, and other controlled materials are used, stored, documented, and disposed of in compliance with applicable regulations.

Executive Leadership & Communication

• Significant executive-level management ability with proven problem-solving and decision-making acumen.
• Ability to recruit, train, motivate, direct, and evaluate a high-performing golf course maintenance team.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with committee presentations and public speaking.
• Ability to explain complex agronomic and operational concepts in a way that is understandable to Club leadership and members.
• Strong commitment to employee, member, and guest safety and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

Experience & Credentials

• Thorough knowledge of golf course maintenance practices and general business administration, typically developed through senior or executive management experience.
• Previous Director of Golf Course Maintenance or comparable senior golf course leadership experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Turf Management, or a related field, or an Associate’s degree combined with significant training and experience.
• Certified and licensed in Restricted Use pesticide usage (or obtain within 90 days of employment).
• Valid driver’s license.

Personal Attributes

• Visible and engaged leader with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Calm, credible, and composed when communicating recommendations or addressing complex issues.
• Organized and disciplined, with the ability to balance daily course conditions with long-term planning and project execution.
• Team-oriented and collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across golf operations, Club leadership, committees, and maintenance staff.
• Committed to the time demands of a premier private-club golf operation, including weekends and holidays when required.

Measures of Success

Success in this role will be reflected in consistently exemplary playing conditions; effective execution of maintenance, renovation, drainage, irrigation, and capital programs; strong financial stewardship; a safe and well-led maintenance team; clear communication with Club leadership and committees; and a disciplined approach to protecting and improving the golf course and Club grounds over the long term.