Skip to Main Content
  1. Cultura Solutions
  2. Job Listing
  3. gm-oakridgecc

Welcome to Tomorrow

We believe that effective leaders don't simply seek "jobs"; they seek organizations with a compelling story, exceptional colleagues, and room for continued growth. As you scroll through this page, you will gain a better understanding of Oak Ridge's narrative, where the company has been, and where it is going.  

General Manager

Oak Ridge Country Club

Oak Ridge Country Club is a private, member-owned country club with a rich and colorful 103 year history, situated on 153 beautiful acres in Hopkins, MN.  Now a secular club with 550 members and an extensive membership waiting list, Oak Ridge was initially started as a predominantly Jewish country club when Jewish community members were not welcomed by other clubs in the area.  These roots, defined by acceptance, diversity, and inclusiveness, remain central to the club's identity today represented in its highly welcoming, communal, and family-oriented atmosphere.  While Oak Ridge's championship golf course has hosted many amateur and professional tournaments, the club also boasts an impressive amenity list including a renovated club house with extraordinary views of the club's expansive property and superior golf course, a massive event and banquet center, a pub and restaurant, several indoor golf simulators, a noteworthy outdoor zero-entry pool with a newly redesigned cabana area, a fitness center, a children's playroom, a large tennis court area (four har-tru courts and one hard court) with a new outdoor lounge deck, highly skilled staff, and an extensive special social programming list developed with family friendliness in mind.  As the club has experienced strong growth over the last 4-5 years, Oak Ridge's Board now seeks to identify the next General Manager to onboard during a critical time as they begin developing a long-range strategic growth plan.  With healthy financials and a strong balance sheet, there are many low-hanging-fruit opportunities for the next GM to implement exciting change and drive Oak Ridge to new heights as a premier Twin Cities Country Club.

A Foundation you can build on

Getting a sense of the foundation that has been built prior to your arrival offers a lens through which you can see where your career may go.

History

Oak Ridge Country Club was officially organized on September 24, 1920, shortly after the end of World War 1 when nearly 150 members of the existing "Elysium Club" and other golfers turned out enthusiastically at the Shubert Theater to investigate the possibility of forming a country club for the Jewish community in Minneapolis.  This resulted in the birth of Oak Ridge.  Fleisher Construction Co. was awarded the contract for the original clubhouse build which concluded in 1921.  In 2004, the original club house was torn down, and a beautiful new club house was rebuilt on the same footprint, designed for Oak Ridge's membership today.  The Oak Ridge members see many generations of the same families that helped build the club as a pillar in the Minneapolis community, along with many new names and families in the area.

Country Clubs & Hospitality

In Minnesota, golf rounds were up about 30% in 2020 compared to 2019, and up 7% in 2021 compared to 2020, creating growth opportunities for established Country Clubs.  But even more exciting for a club like Oak Ridge with a broader range of amenities beyond golf is that millennials are reaching the prime age and income to join clubs, creating a healthy pool of potential members and a "swing" in what newer members want from a club, which is additional services and amenities beyond strictly golf.  The Oak Ridge Board recognizes this shift, and intelligently seeks a General Manager whose experience and capabilities go beyond the traditional golf club, and are more representative of broader hospitality experiences and service-oriented capabilities.

Scale

Oak Ridge Country Club is considered at the top of its comp set with 550 members and an extensive waiting list to join.  It is reputed as a premier wedding venue with exceptional Food and Beverage and Event departments, averaging four weekly events, and its golf course does roughly 18,000 rounds annually.  The club is set on 153 acres of beautiful Hopkins property, ideal for its highly centralized location to the Twin Cities, and has experienced strong growth in membership fees, up from a pre-pandemic 4-figure initiation fee to a current initiation fee nearing $40,000, allowing more opportunities for capital investments and improvements.

Our Take On Oak Ridge

Family Friendly

The majority of Oak Ridge's membership demographic now includes families with young children.  The club is a highly communal place, where children are welcomed with warmth, and families are connected and serviced with pride.

Hospitality Oriented

While Oak Ridge's leadership team and Board fully recognizes the continued value of its Golf Course, it also knows that appealing the broader needs of its growing and changing membership is of utmost importance.  The club puts tremendous effort into ensuring its members experience an expansive range of services and amenities, and recognizes the opportunities in aligning with "hospitality" and exemplary customer service versus strictly focusing on golf.

Approachable

As opposed to many private clubs across the Twin Cities, Oak Ridge's members find their club to be much more accessible, attainable, and welcoming, especially for families and younger members.

What You Will Be A Part Of

As the senior leader of Oak Ridge Country Club, you will position the organization for its future, which requires an understanding of those around you, what they collectively stand for, and how they positively impact the world.

Regrassing The Course

Hear Todd Kranz, Greens Superintendent at Oak Ridge, speak about the club's recent decision to regrass and redesign the entire course.

Creativity and Community
Jason Sondell, Board President at Oak Ridge, shares memories of weathering the 2020 pandemic storm, and strengthening the club's community.
Oak Ridge History

Understand the history and root system of Oak Ridge Country Club; a central storyline to the club's identity 100 years later.

Weddings & Photo Gallery

Get a look at some of the beautiful memories framed onsite at Oak Ridge.

Summer Fun At Oak Ridge
Check out one of Oak Ridge's highly admired amenities - it's one of a kind zero-entry outdoor pool area with newly redesigned cabanas.
Food & Beverage Experiences
Oak Ridge has long been recognized for its culinary excellence.  See some of the food and beverage experiences at members' disposal.

The Company You’ll Keep

Who you’ll work with is often more important than the work itself. Get to know the Oak Ridge leadership team you will be engaging with in this role.

Jason Sondell

Board President

Jason has been a proud member at Oak Ridge for over 12 years, and has more recently assumed the role of Board President.  Outside of Oak Ridge, Jason is a seasoned and highly accomplished private equity leader having worked with one of Minnesota's top private equity firm, Norwest Equity Partners, for over 20 years.  At Norwest, Jason currently serves on the Board of 5 different organizations within the Norwest portfolio.  His extensive experience on Boards has armed him with the insight around how to properly establish strong governance on behalf of a growing organization, which he plans to carry over into the governance model at Oak Ridge Country Club.  Jason and his wife have 3 children, and utilize the plethora of Oak Ridge's family friendly amenities often.  He is also an avid golfer.  

Barb Meyer

Director Of Tennis
Considered by many as the top Tennis Pro in the state, Barb began playing competitive tennis at the age of 8.  She played high school tennis for Richfield and played in college at the University of Minnesota, completing her playing career with a year in the Bundesliga in Europe.  She began her teaching career with the Northwest Clubs in 1995.  In 1997, she was named Director of Tennis for the Decathlon Athletic Club where she worked until it closed in 2000.  She then returned to Northwest as Head Professional of the Normandale and Midwest clubs.  In the summer seasons, she spent 13 years as the Assistant Pro at the Lafayette Club.  She has twice won Tennis Professional of the Year.  Barb has been the Tennis Director/ Head Tennis Professional at Oak Ridge since 2009.

Kellie Hoiness

Director Of Golf

Todd Kranz

Director Of Agronomy

Marshall Hoiness

Director Of Instruction

Justin Ellison

Golf Course Superintendent

Karey Kohout

Membership and Marketing Director

Tim Jones

Executive Chef

A Day in the Life

As the General Manager of Oak Ridge CC, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the entire 153 acre country club with an incredibly strong focus on "elevating" the overall Member Experience.  You'll do this through 8 direct reports who are leading finance, food and beverage, golf, agronomy, engineering, tennis, HR/IT, membership and marketing, and you'll also manage the relationship with external pool operations and swimming lessons service providers (Martha Burns).  Alongside managing club operations, the GM will assume responsibility at a pivotal time as the Board has begun developing a long-term strategic growth plan, which may involve broader growth initiatives including potential club redesigns, additional property development investments, net new amenity additions during colder seasons, shifts in the governance model of the club, introduction of "operational and process rigor", talent recruitment and development efforts, and more.  The GM will play a crucial role as direct partner to the Board in driving these initiatives forward as Oak Ridge continues on its growth trajectory, while maintaining an emphasis on what makes the club special.

Responsibilities

  • Directly leads clubhouse operations ensuring the highest quality and standards of member service, food, beverage, catering and related services; particular focus on elevating service levels and food and beverage offering.
  • Engages staff, maintains and elevates employee morale.  Develops, maintains and disseminates a basic management philosophy to guide all club personnel toward optimal operating results, employee morale and member satisfaction.
  • Holds departmental leadership accountable for managing to annual operating and capital budget. Coordinates development of operating and capital budgets according to the budget calendar; monitors monthly and other financial statements for the club; takes effective corrective action as required.
  • Responsible for overall membership services to ensure an outstanding experience for all members and guests.  Consistently monitors service levels, responds to feedback, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Coordinates the development of the club long-range and annual plans. Performs competitive analyses on clubs and other businesses providing member alternatives through personal observations and historical reports.
  • Liaise between club management and board/committee leadership; establish monthly board meeting agendas and lead board meetings with Board President.

Show More

  • Oversees the care and maintenance of all the clubʼs physical assets and facilities.
  • ​Develops, maintains and administers a sound organizational plan; initiates improvements as necessary.
  • Coordinates and administers policies as defined by the Board of Directors. Develops operating policies and procedures and directs the work of all department managers. 
  • Establishes a basic personnel policy; initiates and monitors policies relating to personnel actions and training.
  • Consistently ensures that the club is operated in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
  • Analyzes financial statements, manages cash flow and establishes controls to safeguard funds. Reviews income and costs relative to goals; takes corrective action as necessary
  • Convenes and presides over meetings with departmental managers; conducts all-club personnel meetings. Gives direction to and works closely with vendors, outside contractors, firms and individuals providing services to the club.
  • Performs other duties as directed by the president or board of directors.
  • Provides advice and recommendations to the President and committees about construction, alterations, maintenance, materials, supplies, equipment and services not provided in approved plans and/or budgets.
  • Reports member infractions to the board for necessary action.
  • Prepares reports and other support material for committee and board use.
  • Negotiates and recommends board approval for contracts.

Requirements

  • 10+ years of experience in hospitality management or business administration
  • Previous experience of managing an operating budget with full P&L responsibilities
  • Previous management experience including managing direct reports who are leaders, designing a culture of excellence
  • Expertise in providing high-end member service and programming

Show More

  • ​Previous exposure to food and beverage operations, and catering/special events preferred
  • Experience providing guidance and input around long-term strategic planning efforts
Download Full Job Description

What You Bring to the Table

Fresh Perspective

As the Oak Ridge Board begins developing a long range strategic plan for the club, the GM will be instrumental in providing fresh perspective and new ideas outside of traditional Country Club or golf course insights, to help better align the club to its membership interests over the long term.  Ideas and insights will be welcomed as the club looks to maintain its cultural root system while driving growth opportunities.

Talent Development

While Oak Ridge's Board is highly confident in its existing leadership team, there are opportunities for the next GM to drive continued cohesiveness, recruiting opportunities, and talent/leadership development initiatives to ensure staff is fully engaged in the vision and mission of the operation, and maintain strong retention of key leaders.

5-Star Service Orientation

As the Country Club industry continues shifting from its more traditional golf roots, the next GM at Oak Ridge will have opportunities to drive continued enhancement in the overarchin member experience, aligning to the likes of a "5-star" hospitality experience.

We believe this opportunity has the potential to be your next best thing. What do you think?