Fox Den Country Club
Knoxville, TN
General Manager
ABOUT FOX DEN COUNTRY CLUB
Knoxville, TN | Established in 1968, Fox Den Country Club is a member-owned private country club located in the heart of the Farragut area of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Set amid the backdrop of the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Fox Den provides an atmosphere of comfort and enjoyment, and boasts a staff that takes pleasure exceeding expectations of the membership. Members are always first priority, and each member of our staff is committed to carry on the rich tradition of providing quality, professional, and personal service.
At Fox Den, membership means more than playing on our phenomenal championship golf course or enjoying family and adult casual dining. It's more than member events, or using our state-of-the-art fitness, tennis, and pool amenities... Membership at Fox Den is about Creating Life-Long Memories, Building Relationships and Enriching Lives.
As our vision statement affirms, “We are a full-service, family oriented country club which strives to create, through responsive services in all areas, an environment in which our members, their families, and guests can make new friends, network with others, and enjoy satisfying and memorable social, recreational, and business experiences.”
Membership at Fox Den
There are four types of memberships at Fox Den Country Club, including two golf and two non-golf. Golf membership types include Full and Junior Executive, both with an initiation fee of $25,000. Dues are $607 and $425, respectively. There are two types of non-golf memberships, including Athletic and House.
There are currently over 400 full golf and nearly 650 total members at Fox Den.
The Golf Experience
Designed and built in 1969 by renowned architect Willard Byrd, who positioned the course perfectly amid the backdrop of the stunning Smoky Mountains, our magnificent setting boasts rolling hills, beautiful wooded areas, ponds, and long fairway stretches.
In 2004, Bill Bergin successfully completed a redesign of the golf course, significantly enhancing an already outstanding layout.
Multiple tees are available for all ages and ability to navigate the eight water features and 52 strategically placed bunkers protecting our large greens, averaging 7,500 square feet. Each set of nine holes is arranged in an out-and-back design with both the No. 9 and No. 18 holes returning to the clubhouse. Fox Den’s signature hole No. 18, a par 5, requires 3 accurate shots to a green complex guarded by a pond on the right and bunker on the left. Using a golf cart is not mandatory at Fox Den, and walking is allowed at all times on the course.
State-of-the-Art Teaching Facility
The Fox Den Teaching Facility, led by Director of Instruction Jake Reeves, PGA is a complete learning center consisting of two indoor hitting bays allowing Members to work on their swing fundamentals year-round.
The Teaching Center features state-of-the- art TrackMan 4 video system for teaching and custom club fitting. The Teaching Facility is one of the top golf club fitting studios in Tennessee. The use of TrackMan and fitting clubs from the likes of Titleist, PING, and Callaway allows members to get the most out of their golf swing and game by analyzing and comparing different club heads, shafts, etc.
FOOD & BEVERAGE AMENITIES
The Club's multiple dining areas provide a variety of dining options for members and their guests. From the family-friendly casual atmosphere of Tackett's to the sophisticated comfort of Ginty's Bar or the adult casual atmosphere of Legends, members are assured of a marvelous experience. Regardless of where members dine, they are treated to a spectacular view of our legendary 18th hole, providing the perfect setting for savoring time with family, friends and colleagues.
Ginty's Bar
Ginty's Bar is where members come to enjoy an after-work or after-play drink while surrounded by fellow friends and members. This bar provides a breathtaking corner view of our legendary 18th hole and practice facilities and serves as the perfect place for pre-dinner cocktails, appetizers and small plates. Members also enjoy weekly happy hour drink specials, discounted appetizers & small plates. Ginty's also provides the perfect venue for members to watch their favorite televised sporting events. Ginty's is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. -10 p.m.
Legends Dining Room
Legends is adjacent to Ginty's Bar and serves dinner featuring great steaks, seafood, porkchops and more. Legends is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Tackett's Grill
Tackett's Grill is re-opening in mid-June 2022 after a complete $1.2M renovation. Tackett's Grill is a modern sports bar venue where members can relax and enjoy food and drinks while watching the latest televised sporting events. Tackett's also has a wonderfully relaxing outdoor patio area featuring a fire pit and a beautiful view of the 18th green.
BANQUETS & NON-GOLF AMENITIES
Fox Den Country Club is a popular choice for weddings, social events, holiday parties and business functions.
The main ballroom at Fox Den can be accommodate events for up to 400 guests. The Silver Fox Room features a ceiling mounted projector, and is the perfect venue for business events for up to 80 guests. The Amber Fox Room features an outdoor view and is a wonderful venue for social events for up to 80 people.
Brassies and the Fox Den Board room are perfect for business gatherings for 20-30 people.
Racket Sports
Fox Den members enjoy five of the best clay courts in Knoxville, as well as two lighted deco turf hard courts. The tennis and pickleball season runs April through November, beginning with tennis & social events and ending with season-closing events for both juniors and adults. Our Tennis Program offers a wide range of leagues, clinics, and programs for men, women, juniors, and couples. Additionally, there is a Tennis Pro Shop on-site, which offers basic tennis supplies, stringing, and repairs. For more information on the Fox Den racket sports program, please click the following link: Fox Den Racket Sports
Fitness Center
Fox Den has a state-of-the-art fitness center that houses a cardio fitness room complete with treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and a cardio theatre. There is a Fixed Weight Area offering Precor equipment and a collection of barbells and dumbbells. Our stretching room offers a variety of stretching tools and balance balls. Shower and changing facilities for both ladies and gentlemen come complete with towels, hairdryers, basic grooming products and personal or day-use lockers. The Fitness Center is open daily from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
AQUATICS
The Fox Den Swimming Pool Complex offers a combination of 1' and 3' children’s pools and a Junior Olympic swimming pool. There is a poolside snack bar available for purchasing drinks, snacks, and light meals while lounging around the pool. Restrooms and changing facilities are also available for Member convenience. All Fox Den lifeguards and teaching instructors are Red Cross certified. Throughout the season, adult Members and children enjoy special events, such as our Movie Night at the Pool, 4th of July Pool Party, Back to School Bash and more!
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee. However, Knoxville is more than just a college town. It's a multicultural community that embraces an array of pastimes. The population of Knox County is just under 500,000.
Downtown Knoxville is full of interesting shops like the independent Union Ave Books and the old-time Mast General Store, as well as the popular Market Square. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, both within a 90-minute drive of the city, are beautiful places to go for a hike, as is Ijams Nature Center, which is closer to downtown.
Sports enthusiasts will enjoy cheering on the minor league baseball Tennessee Smokies, the Knoxville Ice Bears minor league professional hockey team and the SEC-affiliated University of Tennessee Volunteers sports teams.
But shopping, sports and natural beauty aren't the only reasons to move here. Affordability is another major incentive. The cost of buying a home in Knoxville is less than it is in many other major metro areas around the country. Residents also enjoy the added benefit of proximity to major highways that connect Knoxville to places like Nashville, Atlanta and Chattanooga. There is also no state income tax in Tennessee.
Knoxville also benefits from excellent schools with numerous public and affordable private schools.
For more information, please click the following link: VISIT KNOXVILLE
POSITION OVERVIEW
Job Structure
Title: General Manager
Reports to: Board of Directors
Supervises: Club House, Golf Operations, Course Maintenance and Food & Beverage Operations
Position Concept:
The General Manager (GM) will have responsibility for all day-to-day operations at Fox Den Country Club. The GM will direct and administer all aspects of the operations to include amenities, staff, and all programs and activities to ensure outstanding service and member and guest satisfaction.
The GM is responsible for the financial and operational stability of the club and other internal and external activities. Duties include working with the Board of Directors in setting and revising the Club’s strategic plan, tracking progress in implementing strategic directives, managing staff, focusing on maintaining quality facilities, safety, services, and programs throughout all social and recreational offerings year-round.
The GM must possess a keen financial acumen with the ability to maintain the Club’s strong operating performance, along while balancing strategic capital investments in its amenities, programming, and services.
Innovation and creativity with a “continuous‐improvement management” philosophy is a desired cornerstone for the Club’s operation and a critical success factor for the future. Making thoughtful strategic and practical recommendations to the Board of Directors related to operational and capital areas of investment (or divestment) grounded in data and industry trends is a key function of this position. The successful candidate will possess a sincere passion for excellence and a dedication to providing an exceptional and naturally welcoming environment for its members, families, and guests, along with possessing a true appreciation for golf.
The GM must be a hands-on manager of all facets of the Club and their direct reports will include the Club Controller, Head Golf Professional, Director of Instruction, Golf Course Superintendent, Tennis Director, Membership Director, Food & Beverage Director, Head Chef and the Building Maintenance Manager.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Outgoing service-oriented personality with strong leadership skills and effective mentoring ability; someone who clearly leads by example and compels others to do so as well.
Ability to build an exceptional food and beverage experience by systematically orienting and training the team to consistently achieve high standards of service.
Ability to build a robust, year-round program of activities for members of all ages, including juniors (under 18) and junior executive members (up to 40), to ensure Fox Den is the member’s favorite place to recreate alone or with their loved ones and friends.
An excellent communicator who can effectively engage with staff, Board, members, and the community at large.
A Change Agent. The ideal candidate will take initiative, build consensus, and drive necessary strategic changes to ensure Fox Den Country Club remains a relevant and vibrant community of members well into the 21st Century.
Ability to drive and embrace change, both culturally and environmentally.
Ability to anticipate the needs of the membership and smoothly transition operations using their management skills to reach and maintain a superior and consistent level of service while meeting members expectations.
Financial and business acumen with the ability to set and work within a budget while effectively maximizing revenues. Must have effective financial management skills through oversight and development of annual operating and capital budgets. Must report on the Club’s financial performance benchmarked against the Club’s strategic objectives, as well as regional/national club industry targets.
Sincere and consistent member and staff engagement. Being highly visible, interactive, and engaging, and knowing how to balance administrative functions with key engagement opportunities.
Must have the knowledge and ability to work with, and manage staff across all departments including clubhouse, golf, course maintenance, tennis, pickleball and junior activities.
The ability to recruit and retain talented, engaged, and motivated department heads and staff, empowering the team as appropriate and ensuring employees respond with agility to change strategic directives.
Maintain a good relationship with our neighbors, both institutional and residential, and stay informed of all issues that could impact the Club.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education and Certifications
CMAA Member, PGA Member, CCM designation or working toward this designation
A degree in Hospitality Management or equivalent work experience is required.
A minimum of 5 years of verifiable, progressive leadership and management experience in an active, private member focused club or a premiere hospitality environment. NOTE: Current Assistant General Managers or Club Managers at clubs or in the hospitality field, with verifiable records of achievement, will be considered for this role.
Knowledge, Skills, & Traits
A Team Builder. A person who embodies the persona of ultimate coach and motivator, bringing out the best in others by setting clear goals and expectations, providing consistent feedback and support, and treating others with respect and professionalism.
A confident, diplomatic, respectful, and competent professional who is a take-charge person and recognizes the importance of accountability. A creative problem solver who commands respect through professional interactions and integrity.
Passion for the role, with a positive, thoughtful demeanor conducive to a fun, personalized member and staff centric environment.
Friendly, out-going and communicative
A strong “bottom up” leader, who has shown and demonstrates the ability to coach, mentor, develop and advance members of the Fox Den team.
Possessive of strong organizational skills and an obsession with details necessary to achieve high levels of quality, satisfaction, and outstanding member experiences with high levels of staff satisfaction and member engagement.
Very good verbal and written communication skills.
The General Manager will be professional in appearance and present themselves accordingly at the Club.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The base salary range for this position is competitive with positions at clubs of similar stature and is commensurate with qualifications and experience. In addition to salary, compensation includes:
Annual performance bonus, based on outcomes in relation to predetermined “department metrics” and goals
Health insurance for self and family
Participation in the Club’s Simple IRA 3% match upon eligibility after one year
Negotiable clothing allowance, cell phone and pre-approved professional development
CMAA membership and PGA dues paid
Vacation, holidays, sick and other paid time off per Club policy
Relocation allowance is negotiable
Interested candidates with specific compensation questions can contact the Career Services team.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is 5:00 p.m. EST on July 1, 2022
Combine your cover letter, resume, references, and any supporting documents into one (1) PDF document with the following file naming convention: Last Name, First Name, Fox Den Country Club GM
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Mike Charland, Search Committee Chairman
Jim West, PGA lives close to Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville and is the lead Consultant for this opportunity. For additional information and questions, please contact him directly.
Email: jwest@pgahq.com
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time.
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