Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club General Manager/COO

GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER PROFILE:
ROYAL PALM YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB
BOCA RATON, FL

THE GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OPPORTUNITY AT ROYAL PALM YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB
Located in one of the most desirable geographic locations in the country along the Intracoastal Waterway in Boca Raton, Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club (RPYCC) was established in 1959 and enjoys a strong reputation of being a much more personalized experience in a much smaller club environment than the many 'mega-clubs' in the area. RPYCC, which offers a vast array of high-quality amenities, is seeking an energized, motivated, diplomatic, highly capable, and proactive leader to continue elevating this highly regarded Club in one of the country's most competitive markets.


The General Manager/Chief Operating Officer (GM/COO) role at RPYCC is an exceptional opportunity for a proactive, strategic, visionary leader with a proven track record of creating high-performing teams, staying at the forefront of evolving demographic trends, and leading with a 'tone at the top.' This role requires understanding modern club metrics for success, instilling a high level of member and staff engagement through personal modeling, and developing capital strategies that model long-term financial success, all to ensure RPYCC maintains the strong attraction and positioning it currently enjoys.

Click here to view a brief video about this opportunity.


ABOUT ROYAL PALM YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB AND COMMUNITY
Part of the Boca Raton landscape for more than 65 years, Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club is an oasis in downtown East Boca, nestled along the Intracoastal Waterway and Capone Island. Much has changed since 1959, and Royal Palm's membership is a large part of what makes the Club so special. Lifelong friendships have been formed, and generations of members have enjoyed the Club against the backdrop of a timelessly elegant tradition. Since its founding, Royal Palm has been a gathering ground for South Florida's high society and community, as well as philanthropic and social leaders of all types.

The iconic Sam Snead was the Club's first golf professional, and the original Robert Trent Jones golf course received considerable attention when it was built. A year-round, active lifestyle also includes the Club's marina, which is situated in a safe and well-protected bay and is just minutes away from the Intracoastal Waterway and ocean access.

RPYCC has undergone many changes over the years, including the completion of a stunning new Yacht Clubhouse in 2016. The Nicklaus Signature Course underwent its most recent renovation in 2024 by the Nicklaus Design team and previously hosted the 2022 TimberTech Championship. Enjoying two clubhouses approximately a quarter mile apart, RPYCC provides its members with a wide array of recreational and social activities. The Yacht Clubhouse offers a tremendous indoor/outdoor lifestyle setting with multiple dining and private spaces, a large entertainment patio, and beautiful views of the marina and waterway. The renovated fitness center and spa offer one of the most tranquil settings to enhance a workout. Complementing those amenities are four Har-Tru tennis courts, two sports courts, a beautiful and updated pool complex, bocce and croquet courts, and boat slips accommodating up to 59 vessels up to 130 feet in length. RPYCC is part of the Yacht Clubs of America and enjoys reciprocal privileges with clubs around the country. Over the past several years, the Club's demographics have shifted slightly toward younger members, and activities for children are an important part of the operation; the Kid's Club, led by a full-time Youth Manager, is a key part of the Club.

The Golf Clubhouse offers elevated views overlooking the course and is home to men's and ladies' locker rooms, a large, renovated golf shop, and a very well-appointed building that is used for cards and games, banquets, and special events.
The course, woven amongst the beautiful residences in the Royal Palm community, is known as one of Jack Nicklaus' finest works and enjoys tremendous sight lines and beautifully landscaped surrounds. (NOTE: The course will close for green renovation in April 2027.)

Lesser-known than some of its mega-club neighbors in Boca, RPYCC, a member-owned private club, is not affiliated with, nor an amenity of, the neighborhood, which is unique in the area. Membership continues to be by invitation, and the club is known for its "kind and appreciative members." As with many clubs around the country, RPYCC has evolved to an even more family-focused operation, and with its incredible location and reinvestments in the past few years, the Club is well-positioned for long-term success.

ROYAL PALM YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS:

• Initiation Fee - $210,000 (full member)
• Annual Dues - $33,472 (full member) along with a $500/mo Capital dues fee
• The annual gross volume is approximately $27M
• The annual dues volume is approximately $16.2M
• The annual food volume is approximately $4.5M
• The annual beverage volume is approximately $2M
• There are approximately 543 members in all categories
• There are approximately 235 FT employees in peak season; 48 of those are seasonal H2B employees
• The average age of members is approximately 65
• There is a total of 9 Board Members, each serving three-year terms
• The marina houses 59 slips
• There are eight standing committees: House & Entertainment; Golf, Greens, and Grounds; Strategic Planning; Finance; Membership; Yachting; Racquets & Wellness; Audit
• There are three advisory committees: Family Fun; Cards & Games; Bocce & Croquet
• There are approximately 25,00 rounds played annually on the Club's course
• The Club uses JONAS for its accounting and POS systems.

ROYAL PALM YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB WEB SITE:

GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER POSITION OVERVIEW
The GM/COO of the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club is expected to be a consummate, respectful professional who demonstrates transparency, honesty, straightforwardness, integrity, accountability, leadership, and dedication. He/She must be able to inspire and motivate the great team at RPYCC and earn the respect of the members and employees as well as the community at large, likely primarily through a natural style of visibility, engagement and sincere interaction; understanding and epitomizing the culture of RPYCC is a critical success factor for the new GM/COO.

Recognizing the preeminent position that RPYCC holds within the Boca Raton community, the GM/COO must always conduct himself/herself in a responsible and professional manner, both at and away from the Club, and encourage other staff members to do the same, reflecting the proper image of the Club throughout the community. An especially important "tone at the top" and "lead by example" approach is critical for success in this role for both members and staff. The new GM/COO is following a highly regarded, nationally recognized leader who has set strong standards of success and decorum during this time in the role.

Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club is a busy operation that requires significant administrative and organizational skills, balanced with the aforementioned engaged interaction with members and staff. The Club enjoys a balance between tenured and newer Senior Staff, and providing them with thoughtful, informed, and supportive mentoring and advocacy for their success is critical, as is setting well-constructed, measurable, and reasonable goals and objectives. They are well-regarded, and there is no desire to have a new leader "who brings his/her team with them!"


Strong financial acuity is important to one's success in this role, as is the ability to succinctly and clearly analyze and convey important financial information and expectations to various Committees, the Board, and the leadership team, with a focus on continuous 'education' through consistent orientations, thoughtful ROI discussions on club subjects, and being the most knowledgeable about club industry issues and recommendations.

Communication, while clearly important at all clubs, is of utmost importance at RPYCC. The GM/COO must be comfortable and effective in communicating with all levels of staff, the varying demographics of the membership, outside vendors, and community leaders, and in both one-on-one and large-group settings.
Exceptional personal presentation and a high "EQ" are a critical leadership competency in this role. Collaborating with the Board, Committees and Senior Staff, the GM/COO must be focused on ensuring that the Club's vision is relevant, topical, and well-constructed, and be a strong believer in the Mission, Vision and Core Values of RPYCC and passionate about the member and staff experience.

Over the past several years, Club leaders have worked hard to ensure a consistent business model that allows volunteers to provide vision, strategy and policy, while staff leaders are responsible for operations. Defining consistent roles and responsibilities for both staff and volunteer leaders, evaluating the roles of committees and practicing a more corporate style of governance to support the mission of the Club has been undertaken and is well established for the new GM/COO.

As with most clubs, the F & B operation is a key driver of overall membership satisfaction and takes a top priority for the new GM/COO, as well as ensuring a consistent, high-quality golf experience and well-functioning activities in all other operational areas. Each area is considered well-functioning at present, with high member satisfaction, and there is strong support for the Club's reputation, events, staff, and financial stability.

By collaborating with the Board, Committees, and Senior Staff, the COO must ensure that the Club's vision is relevant, topical, well-constructed, and that everyone involved understands their responsibilities. RPYCC is a very inclusive and welcoming club. The new GM/COO should embody and promote this culture of inclusivity and warm hospitality.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership/management experience in a private member-owned country club or high-end resort operation, preferably those with member boards and committee involvement. The Club will consider current Assistant General Managers or similarly titled candidates who have mentored in verifiably successful operations with structures similar to those outlined above.
• Proven and verifiable leadership qualities with a demonstrated ability to run the operation, coordinate and control all aspects of a busy, full-service, family-centric country club with a large staff and operating budget.
• A verifiable record of strong and intuitive mentoring of staff, and having achieved, in essence, a 'workplace of choice' employee environment in the operations he/she has been part of leading.
• Strong history of success and a keen understanding of quality Food and Beverage operations, including training, innovation and creativity, and the development of a strong service culture, with proven high levels of member/guest satisfaction.
• Technologically proficient with a thorough understanding of best practices in the use of technology to improve 'high touch' service delivery to members and to more effectively manage and lead operations.
• A "courageous thought partner" with the Board, recognizing that he/she needs to be a creative problem solver whose ability to convey ideas, suggestions, and solutions in a thoughtful, well-reasoned manner with a high level of integrity results in high levels of respect; someone with the personal gravitas.
• An organizationally focused individual who recognizes that an obsession with details and consistency of delivery at a high-level results in high member and associate satisfaction, high levels of quality, and an overall outstanding member experience, and has a verifiable history of delivering on it.

EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree is preferred, with a focus on Hospitality Management.
• Substantial private club or hospitality experience will be considered in lieu of the degree.
• Industry certifications such as CCM, CCE, CMC, or PGA are encouraged but not required

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
In compliance with federal law, all hired employees must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers an excellent bonus and benefits package, including association membership.


INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
Please upload your resume and cover letter in the order listed using the link below. When prompted for them during the online application process, you should have your documents fully prepared to attach. Please be sure your image is not on your resume or cover letter; it should be used on your LinkedIn Profile.

Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to the RPYCC Search Committee . Clearly articulate your alignment with this role, why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career, and why RPYCC and the Boca Raton, Florida area will benefit you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.

You must apply for this role as soon as possible but no later than June 24, 2026. Candidate selections will occur in mid-July, with the first Interviews expected in early August and the second interviews shortly thereafter. The successful candidate should assume his/her role prior to the start of the season.

IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner:
"Last Name, First Name - Resume" &
"Last Name, First Name - Cover Letter - RPYCC"
(These documents should be in Word or PDF format)

Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents.

If you have any questions, please email Patty Sprankle: View email address on click.appcast.io

Lead Search Executive:
Kurt D. Kuebler, CCM, CMAA Fellow
Partner
O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 701
M : View phone number on click.appcast.io
View email address on click.appcast.io