GOLF DIRECTOR

Shawnee County in Kansas is seeking a skilled Golf Director to lead and manage its golf operations across three prominent facilities: Lake Shawnee Golf Course, Cypress Ridge Golf Course, and Forbes Golf Course. As a government entity, Shawnee County is committed to providing high-quality recreational opportunities for its residents and visitors, ensuring that the golf courses remain attractive, sustainable, and financially sound. With a focus on excellent customer service, strategic growth, and operational efficiency, the county aims to enhance public engagement with its golf facilities while maintaining superior course conditions and service standards.

The Golf Director position involves comprehensive oversight of all aspects related to the golf courses, including administration, financial management, maintenance, marketing, and strategic planning. This employment opportunity is classified as exempt under the FLSA and offers a dynamic role where the individual will report directly to the Recreation Superintendent. The salary details are determined by county regulations and are commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In this senior management role, the Golf Director will be responsible for directing the daily operations of multiple golf facilities. This includes overseeing golf course maintenance practices such as turf management, irrigation, pesticide application, landscaping, and equipment upkeep to ensure premium playing conditions. The role also extends to managing clubhouse operations, golf shops, tournaments, leagues, facility rentals, and customer service activities. Strategic capital improvement planning is a key component of the position, entailing the development of operational policies, bid specifications, vendor contract management, and equipment replacement plans.

Financial stewardship is critical in this role. The Golf Director will develop and administer both operating and capital budgets for the Golf Division, carefully monitoring revenues and expenditures to sustain financial health and operational viability. They will prepare detailed financial reports, purchasing plans, and set pricing strategies for memberships, tournaments, concessions, and rentals. Additionally, the director will participate in long-range strategic planning to align county golf facilities with community needs and growth objectives.

Supervision and leadership form another essential part of the position. The Golf Director manages a diverse staff comprised of full-time, seasonal, and contracted employees, ensuring high performance and adherence to standards. This includes approving absences, enforcing disciplinary actions, guiding staff development and training, conducting performance evaluations, and overseeing hiring and promotion processes. Scheduling and workload management are also key responsibilities, with a focus on teamwork and accountability.

Customer relations and marketing duties involve creating and implementing programs to boost public participation and awareness of Shawnee County’s golf offerings. This includes managing budgets related to promotional activities, coordinating community partnerships and events, securing sponsorships, and addressing public inquiries and customer concerns effectively. Safety and compliance are also paramount, requiring the Golf Director to enforce OSHA standards, environmental regulations, and safe pesticide use protocols.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Golf Course Management, Sports Administration, Turfgrass Management, Business Administration, Parks and Recreation Administration, or related fields, complemented by at least five years of progressively responsible experience in golf course operations and personnel supervision. The candidate should have excellent leadership and communication skills, proficiency in budgeting and financial analysis, solid knowledge of turf management, horticulture, and disease control, as well as familiarity with golf management software and technology.

Special requirements include the ability to pass pre-employment physicals, drug screening, and maintain a clean driving record. The Golf Director must be capable of lifting up to 50 pounds and, if not already certified, obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license within six months of hire. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events is necessary to meet the demands of the position. This role offers a rewarding opportunity to influence the quality and accessibility of county golf facilities while advancing a vital community recreational resource.