About the Role
GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER PROFILE:
HARBOUR RIDGE YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB
PALM CITY, FL
THE GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OPPORTUNITY AT HARBOUR RIDGE YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB
The General Manager/Chief Operating Officer (GM/COO) role at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club (HRYCC) is a great opportunity to join a club and community undergoing a major reimagination process! A dramatic shift in membership (nearly 50% of members are new since COVID) has led to significant support for further capital investment in club and community amenities, with several projects currently underway and more to follow soon, including a major clubhouse renovation.
The Board of HRYCC is not looking to run their club and community but rather to find a true leader with proven, verifiable success in this industry. They want their “eyes in and hands out” on operational matters, preferring to stay at the high-level governing level and work closely with the new leader to create and execute strategic, higher-level goals and outcomes.
The new leader in this role will likely be someone with a “playbook” and a history of success who sees the long-term vision, can inspire, keep members and staff well informed about trends and necessary enhancements to ensure relevancy, and help further “define and build the brand” of Harbour Ridge.
This is not a turnaround assignment but a stewardship opportunity at scale. It is a tremendously exciting opportunity to be part of a vibrant club community with a dynamic array of amenities (nearly every amenity offered in today’s club world!) and to guide a thriving institution through disciplined reinvestment, establishing operational and strategic excellence for enduring relevance for generations to come. Harbour Ridge presents a rare opportunity to steward an established institution at a moment of strength — to shape not only facilities and programs but also culture and legacy for the future.
Click here to view a brief video about this opportunity.
HARBOUR RIDGE YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB AND COMMUNITY
Amenities at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club include two 18-hole championship golf courses—one designed by Joe Lee and updated by Bobby Weed in 2018, and the other by Pete Dye, updated by Kip Schultes in 2015—each offering panoramic vistas and water views. The newer 22,000-square-foot Lakeside Spa, Fitness, and Racquets complex features a modern fitness center with exercise rooms and Pilates equipment, a full-service hair and nail salon, a barber studio, a resort-style pool, and men’s and women’s spas. The Lakeside Racquets center features nine Har-Tru Hydro-Grid tennis courts, five lit for evening play, and eight Plexipave pickleball courts, including four under lights.
Harbour Ridge’s shoreline stretches over two miles of pristine riverfront, where members enjoy walking the entire length of the nature trail. Just 55 miles from the West End of the Bahamas and accessible to the Gulf via the Okeechobee Waterway, Harbour Ridge is ideally situated for sport fishermen and all types of recreational boating. Deep-sea anglers value the open ocean and waters off Stuart, known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.” The community features three private marinas with a total of 98 slips, ranging from 24 to 60 feet. For non-boaters, the estuarine shoreline offers excellent fishing opportunities, with the river teeming with redfish, snook, tarpon, and trout.
The elegant 45,000-square-foot Clubhouse is the centerpiece of the community, offering panoramic views of the St. Lucie River and its beautiful natural surroundings. Soon to be updated, it will feature upscale informal dining options, a much-expanded spacious terrace overlooking the waterfront, the golf shop, and a well-stocked library, amongst other meeting and function spaces.
There are three private marinas, currently being expanded and renewed, along with walking trails, a large-scale dog park, and significant lakes, lagoons, and habitats within this Audubon-certified environment.
The POA owns three condominium units used in its “Be Our Guest” marketing program and for active rentals, as well as its realty operation.
MISSION STATEMENT
Harbour Ridge provides an exceptional experience for our members, their families, and guests by combining our beautiful, natural waterfront location with a casually elegant lifestyle in a warm and welcoming community, offering outstanding amenities, programs, and services.
HARBOUR RIDGE YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS
Approximately 784 members in all categories, including 695 residents and 75 Annual Tennis Memberships
$125,000 total initiation fee, of which $1,000 is refundable equity
Resident Equity Membership Annual Dues: $19,741 (club); $13,591 (POA)
Capital Dues: $900 (club); $5,200 (POA); $6,100 (combined)
Approximate Gross Annual Volume: $22.02M (club); $14.25M (POA); $36.26M (combined)
Approximate Annual Dues Volume: $13.2M (club); $11.26M (POA); $24.22M (combined)
Approximate Annual F&B Volume: $3.94M
Club Employees: approximately 117 FTE’s and 70 seasonal employees
POA Employees: approximately 104 FTE’s and 5 seasonal employees
501(c)(7) taxable status
Club accounting and POS are JONAS
Currently, 11 board members, each serving 3-year terms
The average member age is 69
The current Standing Committees: Finance, Nominating, Membership, Audit, Architectural, Real Estate, Marina.
The current Operating Committee: Green/Golf, House, Insurance, Lakeside, POA Oversight, Marketing & Real Estate, Community Enhancement (Ad Hoc)
HARBOUR RIDGE YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB WEBSITE: www.harbourridge.com
GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER POSITION OVERVIEW
The General Manager/Chief Operating Officer serves as the chief executive of Harbour Ridge’s Club and Property Owners Association and is the principal partner to the Board of Directors in advancing the community’s strategic vision. He/she coordinates and implements HRYCC’s policies as outlined by the Board of Directors, develops operating policies and procedures, and manages the daily work of all departments, including golf operations, course maintenance, rental programs, HOA/POA operations, member services, food and beverage, fitness, security, accounting/budgeting, and human resources. Additionally, the GM/COO actively participates in real estate and membership marketing efforts, focusing on delivering the highest quality standards to enhance the member and guest experience.
The GM/COO must operate comfortably at both strategic altitude and operational depth — equally capable in boardroom dialogue, capital planning oversight, and day-to-day hospitality and community leadership. Harbour Ridge operates as a vibrant and multi-faceted organization that requires excellent administrative and organizational skills. Strong financial acumen is crucial, as is the ability to analyze and communicate financial information clearly and concisely to various Committees, the Board, and the leadership team. This is especially vital with the upcoming strategic capital improvements and planning for their successful implementation upon completion.
Communication is paramount at HRYCC, more so than at most clubs. The GM/COO must be comfortable and effective in engaging with all levels of staff, members of diverse demographics, outside vendors, and community leaders, whether in one-on-one interactions or large-group settings. Exceptional personal presentation and writing skills are essential for this role, along with a sincere, approachable style. In collaboration with the Board, Committees, and Senior Staff, the GM/COO must focus on ensuring that the HRYCC’s vision remains relevant, current, and well-articulated, with everyone aware of their responsibilities.
The next leader will be expected to:
Lead Institutional Reinvestment – Oversee complex, multi-phase capital projects with rigor, transparency, and disciplined execution while preserving operational excellence throughout construction cycles.
Elevate Operational Sophistication – Implement best-in-class systems, metrics, and leadership practices consistent with top-tier private clubs and residential communities nationwide.
Strengthen Organizational Depth – Recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing senior leaders while building a culture rooted in accountability, service excellence, professional pride, growth, and advocacy of the team.
Partner with Governance – Model clarity in the distinction between governance and management, providing thoughtful counsel to the Board while maintaining strong executive authority and operational alignment.
Enhance Member Engagement – Maintain visible, authentic presence within the community and cultivate a culture that balances refinement with warmth, tradition with evolution.
Cultivate Relationships with Relevant Governmental Officials – Establish and maintain relevant relations with influential leaders in the community. Know what’s happening outside our gates on many levels, including zoning, etc., in addition to the many sub-association leaders within the HRYCC community.
Quickly develop relationships with both members and staff primarily by being present, approachable, and highly communicative.
Gain a deep understanding of the International Staffing Program (H2Bs) and its importance, including recruitment processes and partnerships.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of 10 – 15 years of progressive leadership/management experience, preferably in a private member-owned country club residential community with multi-dimensional operations, or leading hospitality operations outside of the club industry in a similar hospitality operation. A verifiable understanding of how to lead a residential community club operation is critical. Other key attributes for a successful new leader likely include:
Experience overseeing substantial capital projects and long-range/strategic planning
Sophisticated financial acumen, operational ledger, and balance-sheet fluency
Track record of strong performance in member or client-facing service-oriented business
Success within a member-owned, board-governed environment
A refined hospitality mindset with operational discipline
Executive presence, emotional intelligence, and credibility with accomplished members and staff
A leadership style that is confident, visible, steady, and values-driven
Exceptional communication skills, genuine approachability, and a passion for community building
Possessive of an entrepreneurial spirit
Being naturally approachable and possessing
Natural, engaging, front-facing style
Preferably a bachelor’s degree
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to 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. Professional credentials consistent with top-tier private club leadership are expected. A record of tenure, advancement, and measurable institutional impact is essential.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
Please upload your resume and cover letter, in that order, using the link below. You should have your documents fully prepared to be attached when prompted for them during the online application process. Please be sure your image is not present on your resume or cover letter; that should be used on your LinkedIn Profile.
Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to Jill Kelly, Search Chairperson and the Board of Directors and clearly articulate your alignment with this role and why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career and why Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club and the Palm City area will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.
You must apply for this role no later than May 15, 2026. Candidate selections will occur later that month, with first Interviews expected in early June and second interviews a short time later. The new candidate should assume his/her role in Summer 2026.
IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner:
“Last Name, First Name – Resume” &
“Last Name, First Name – Cover Letter – HRYCC”
(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: patty@kkandw.com
Lead Search Executive:
Kurt D. Kuebler, CCM, CMAA Fellow
Partner
O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 701
M: (407) 864-6798
kurt@kkandw.com
To apply for this position click the link below.
Apply for the Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club General Manager/COO position