Director of Operations - Recreation, Activities, and Club Services

Position Title: Director of Operations - Recreation, Activities, and Club Services

Location: 6549 Coburg Road, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada

Resort Division: Administration

Reports To: General Manager (GM)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview:

The Director of Club Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for the effective management, coordination and continuous improvement of the Waegwoltic Club's recreational and operational programs. The Director provides strategic and operational leadership across recreation, aquatics, tennis, sailing, children's programming, health and safety, and related member services. The position is responsible for ensuring that programs and services are delivered safely, efficiently, professionally and in a manner consistent with the standards and expectations of the Waegwoltic Club. The Director works closely with the General Manager, senior leadership team, department leaders and staff to ensure that the Club's operations support its strategic objectives, financial requirements and commitment to an exceptional member experience. The successful candidate will be a visible leader who demonstrates strong judgment, accountability, communication and organizational skills and who can effectively lead both seasonal and year-round operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Operational Management

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Club's recreation and operational portfolio.
• Establish clear expectations, standards and accountabilities for departments within the Director's responsibility.
• Ensure programs and services operate efficiently and consistently with Club policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective operating procedures and departmental standards.
• Monitor day-to-day operations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, scheduling and deployment of employees.
• Provide leadership during peak seasonal periods and major Club events.
• Work collaboratively with other senior managers to ensure seamless cross-departmental operations.
• Act as a visible and accessible leader for members and employees.
• Ensure operational issues are identified, addressed and followed through to resolution.

Recreation & Member Programming

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Club's recreational programming, including:
  • Tennis
  • Sailing
  • Aquatics
  • Kids Camp and children's programming
  • Recreation activities and events
  • Seasonal programming
  • Related member activities
• Ensure programs are:
  • Well planned and appropriately staffed.
  • Financially responsible.
  • Safe and compliant.
  • Consistent with Club standards.
  • Responsive to member needs and expectations.
  • Continually evaluated and improved.
• Work with the Recreation Director and program leaders to establish annual programming plans, participation targets, staffing requirements and operating budgets.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Maintain a strong culture of safety throughout all areas of responsibility. Responsibilities include:
  • Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and Club policies.
  • Maintain appropriate health and safety procedures.
  • Ensure staff receive appropriate training and certification.
  • Monitor safety standards in aquatics, sailing, tennis, camps and other recreational activities.
  • Ensure accidents, incidents and near misses are properly reported, investigated and followed up.
  • Identify operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
  • Maintain emergency procedures and ensure employees understand their responsibilities.
  • Work with the General Manager to address significant operational or safety concerns.
  • Ensure required inspections, certifications and documentation are maintained.

People Leadership & Staff Development

• The Director is responsible for creating a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous development.
  • Recruit, select and retain high-quality employees.
  • Establish clear job expectations and performance standards.
  • Conduct regular performance discussions and annual performance reviews.
  • Coach and develop department leaders.
  • Identify training and development opportunities.
  • Address performance issues promptly and fairly.
  • Recognize and reinforce strong performance.
  • Develop succession plans for key operational positions.
  • Ensure seasonal employees receive appropriate orientation, training and supervision.
  • Promote teamwork and positive working relationships across departments.
• The Director is expected to hold managers and supervisors accountable for their responsibilities rather than routinely performing their work for them.

Financial Management

• Work with the General Manager and Finance Department to ensure effective financial management of the operational portfolio. Responsibilities include:
  • Prepare and manage annual departmental operating budgets.
  • Monitor revenues and expenses against approved budgets.
  • Manage labor costs and staffing levels.
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs.
  • Develop revenue-generating initiatives where appropriate.
  • Monitor program participation and financial performance.
  • Review departmental purchasing and expenditure.
  • Provide accurate financial reporting and explanations for variances.
  • Ensure operational decisions consider both member experience and financial sustainability.

Member Experience

• The Director is expected to maintain a strong member-focused approach to all operations.
  • Maintain regular visibility throughout the Club.
  • Develop positive relationships with members.
  • Respond professionally to member concerns and complaints.
  • Ensure concerns are followed through to resolution.
  • Monitor member feedback and identify recurring issues.
  • Evaluate programs based on member participation, feedback and satisfaction.
  • Ensure employees understand the importance of providing exceptional member service.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance the overall member experience.

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in the Club's strategic planning process.
• Translate strategic objectives into practical operational plans.
• Develop annual departmental priorities and objectives.
• Lead operational improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate existing programs and services for effectiveness and value.
• Research and recommend new programming opportunities.
• Identify emerging operational risks and opportunities.
• Lead approved capital and operational projects within the Director's portfolio.
• Measure outcomes and report progress to the General Manager.
• The Director should consistently ask: What can we do better, what is creating unnecessary cost or complexity, and what will improve the member experience?

Communication & Collaboration

• Participate actively as a member of the Club's leadership team.
• Attend management and leadership meetings.
• Provide timely and accurate operational reports to the General Manager.
• Maintain effective communication with managers, supervisors and employees.
• Ensure important information is communicated consistently throughout the organization.
• Work collaboratively with Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Culinary, Finance, Membership and other departments.
• Support Club-wide initiatives rather than operating departments in isolation.
• Maintain professional relationships with suppliers, contractors, community partners and other external stakeholders.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive management experience in recreation, hospitality, private clubs, resorts, sport organizations or a related environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple departments or programs.
• Strong people-management and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated budget and financial management experience.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience managing seasonal employees and operations.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and risk management.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.

Preferred

• Experience in a private members' club, resort, university, recreation facility or similar organization.
• Post-secondary education in recreation management, business administration, hospitality, sport management or a related field.
• Relevant safety, aquatics, boating, recreation or risk-management certifications.
• Experience with strategic planning and operational improvement.
• Experience managing multiple recreational programs simultaneously.

Working Conditions and Salary

• A very competitive salary, plus a performance related bonus
• Benefits: After Qualifying Period
• Bonus Structure based on annual performance and stretch goals.
• Extended health care
• The position requires a visible management presence throughout the Club and may require work outside of traditional business hours, including:
  • Evenings
  • Weekends
  • Holidays
  • Peak summer periods
  • Special events
  • Member functions
  • Emergency or operational situations
• The Director must be capable of managing the demands of a highly seasonal operation and adjusting work priorities as operational requirements change.
• Education Allowance after 1 year of employment

The Waegwoltic Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce as well as being committed to providing accommodations wherever possible for people with disabilities.

Applications to View email address on jobs.swagapp.com we will only respond to those candidates that meet the requirements of the role.