Ford Field & River Club, Chief Executive Officer

The Ford Field & River Club (“The Ford” or the “Club”) is an 1,800-acre private residential luxury golf and sporting club community on the Ogeechee River. It features a Pete Dye-designed golf course, golf clubhouse, deepwater marina, equestrian center, fitness center, spa, tennis and pickleball courts, two pools, and miles of hiking trails. The golf course, which hosts nearly 9,000 rounds annually, is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and serves as the home of the Ford Collegiate, an NCAA Division I men's golf tournament. Originally established as the winter retreat of Henry and Clara Ford, The Ford has remained true to its ecological heritage and coastal character. This commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in the community's Audubon Certification for environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, water conservation, and education, as well as its employment of an onsite naturalist.

The Ford is currently in the midst of a $25 million amenities upgrade that will deliver a renovated and expanded clubhouse, a new golf practice facility, a new pool, and an updated casual dining experience. The amenities upgrade is scheduled for completion by January

2027. The investment reflects The Ford’s confidence in the future and commitment to the
long-term stewardship of its amenities and community.

The Ford has approximately 120 full-time employees, a nine-member Board of Directors, and a five-member Property Owners Association Board. It is organized as a not-for-profit taxable corporation.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role offers a dynamic leadership opportunity at a premier private club and residential community. The CEO serves as the primary architect of the community's long-term trajectory and will work with the Board to align its priorities, member expectations, and operational realities into a cohesive long-term vision. The CEO holds ultimate accountability for enterprise growth, financial performance, and brand stewardship.

The CEO will have a significant focus on real estate sales while simultaneously ensuring that the member experience is world-class. The CEO will align real estate development, sales and marketing, and club operations to support residential growth and long-term value creation, while empowering the General Manager to lead day-to-day operations and hospitality. The CEO will also serve as a visible ambassador for The Ford’s lifestyle, value proposition, and residential opportunities.

Reporting Relationships
The CEO will report to the Board of Directors. The CEO’s direct reports will include the General Manager, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and the Real Estate & Marketing teams.

Compensation
The compensation package is expected to include a base salary, deferred compensation program, and annual bonus. The annual bonus is expected to be weighted toward net new membership growth, including new homesites and resales, while also recognizing progress against strategic milestones such as builder-program activation, marketing execution, and member retention.

Location
The position will be based at The Ford Field & River Club in Richmond Hills, Georgia, approximately 18 miles outside Savannah.

Responsibilities
The CEO will collaborate with the Board of Directors and its committees and coordinate closely with the Property Owners Association. The CEO will be a proactive, visionary, and well-respected leader who can evaluate the organization’s opportunities and challenges, building consensus and support for recommended changes. The CEO will also have a deep understanding of how a high-touch service-oriented club operates and will work  through the General Manager and leadership team to sustain an exceptional service culture.

Strategic Growth & Real Estate Development

• Integrated Growth Strategy: Develop and execute a cohesive strategy that aligns real estate development, residential sales, marketing, membership growth, and club operations.
• Residential Inventory Management: Lead the builder program activation and the “lots-to-homes” conversion process for the remaining approximately 100 lots.
• Intentional Membership Acquisition: Support a net new membership target of 7 to 10 per year while ensuring that new families align with the values, culture, and character that define The Ford.
• Real Estate Partnerships: Build productive relationships with builders, developers, brokers, and other partners to support residential growth and long-term value creation.
• Maintaining Standards: Ensure compliance with environmental, legal, and community standards while maintaining the aesthetic integrity and natural character of the property.

Financial Stewardship & Capital Planning

• Investment Oversight: Partner with the CFO on long-term capital planning and oversight of the $25 million amenities upgrade initiative. Ensure that the renovations are completed on schedule, with appropriate construction oversight, vendor management, and member communication.
• Asset Stewardship: Maintain long-term capital maintenance and replacement plans and evaluate major investments through financial, operational, and member-experience lenses.
• Actionable Reporting: Translate complex financial data into concise narrative   dashboards and actionable KPI summaries for the Board and the membership.
• Project Communication: Communicate the progress, challenges, and outcomes of major capital initiatives clearly to the Board, members, employees, and other stakeholders.

Sales, Marketing & Brand Stewardship

• Sophisticated Funnel Management: Build and manage high-performing marketing pipelines, focusing on qualified discovery visits and increased conversion rates.
• Marketing & Sales Coordination: Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to  position residential offerings effectively to prospective buyers and club members.

• Brand Management: Serve as the primary steward and ambassador of the brand. Ensure growth remains aligned with The Ford’s community identity and strengthens its market position.

Enterprise Leadership & Governance

• Staff & Operational Alignment: Provide overall strategic leadership and vision for the Club, ensuring alignment between Board priorities, member expectations, operations, real estate development, and long-term growth.
• Strategic Planning: Work with the Board and leadership team to develop and  present strategic plans and translate them into clear organizational priorities.
• Empowered Oversight: Hold the General Manager accountable for an exceptional member experience and staff engagement while maintaining a leadership posture that empowers effective operational leadership.
• Board Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, delivering regular updates, strategic plans, and performance reports. Maintain appropriate distinctions between governance and management while supporting consensus and effective decision-making.
• Leadership Alignment: Foster a collaborative leadership environment characterized  by trust, accountability, and coordinated decision- making.

Member Experience, Culture & Change Leadership

• Member Experience: Work through the General Manager and leadership team to champion exceptional hospitality and ensure that member concerns are addressed with sound judgment, discretion, and appropriate follow-through.
• Stakeholder Relationships: Build productive relationships with members, employees, external partners, developers, and the Property Owners Association to support The Ford’s strategic direction.
• Change Leadership: Build support for major strategic initiatives and capital projects while leading change in a manner that maintains member trust and confidence.
• Communication: Deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations and updates to  members, employees, committees, the Board, and other stakeholders.
• Culture: Preserve and strengthen an environment consistent with the Club’s understated Lowcountry elegance, history, traditions, and deep sense of community.

THE CANDIDATE

Education
An undergraduate degree is required. An MBA or comparable advanced credential  is  preferred. A CCE, CCM, or PGA certification is encouraged but not necessary.

Leadership Experience

• 10-15 years of leadership experience, including significant real estate development experience in a private luxury residential golf community and club.
• Demonstrated success aligning real estate development, sales and marketing, membership growth, and club operations within a cohesive strategy.
• Exposure to a club with full amenities, as well as member-led HOAs/POAs and other committees, is preferred.
• Proven success as a partner in strategic planning, a proactive advisor to the Board  of Directors, and a strong partner across the organization’s leadership team.
• Experience with capital planning, major investment evaluation, and the long-term stewardship of facilities and physical assets.
• Experience effectively communicating and working with internal and external partners, including the senior leadership team, Board of Directors, members, builders and developers, and the Property Owners Association.

Real Estate & Community Development Experience

• Significant leadership experience in real estate development within a private luxury  residential golf community or comparable high-end residential environment.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing luxury community-development and high-end real estate growth strategies.
• Experience aligning real estate development, residential sales, marketing, membership growth, and club operations within a cohesive strategy.
• Experience building and managing relationships with builders, developers, brokers, and other real estate partners.
• Experience managing via leading indicators such as pipeline activity and builder milestones and lagging indicators such as revenue and net new members.

Professional and Personal Attributes

• A strategic leader who can translate a long-term vision into clear priorities, coordinated action, and measurable progress.
• A credible ambassador who can effectively represent The Ford’s lifestyle, community identity, and residential opportunities.
• Able to navigate high-touch member expectations and cost sensitivities with empathy and sophisticated communication.

• Servant-leader mindset with a genuine commitment to members, colleagues, exceptional hospitality, and club culture.
• Strong communicator with a kind but firm management style and the ability to  deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations.
• A high-energy, hands-on leader who is ready and willing to roll up their sleeves while balancing strategic thinking with operational execution.
• A collaborative relationship-builder and consensus-builder who can navigate differing perspectives and build support for strategic initiatives and change.
• Polished, professional executive presence appropriate for an elite, relationship-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and consistent high-level service delivery.
• Self-aware and receptive to feedback, with an understanding of personal strengths, limitations, and leadership impact.
• Uncompromising integrity, discretion, and respect for confidentiality.
• Committed to preserving The Ford’s history, traditions, natural environment, and  culture while positioning the community for future success.