Director of Racquets

About Mountain Ridge Mountain Ridge Country Club is a premier private country club located approximately 20 miles from New York City in northern New Jersey. Steeped in tradition, Mountain Ridge has served as a second home for generations of members and their families. The Club combines a nationally recognized 18-hole golf course with a vibrant clubhouse, dining, pool, racquets and social experience. The Club's racquets facilities include: 5 Har-Tru Tennis Courts 6 Dedicated Pickleball Courts Racquets Hut Expansive outdoor patio and entertainment space Position Overview The Director of Racquets is responsible for the leadership, programming and overall member experience of Mountain Ridge's tennis and pickleball operation. Reporting directly to the General Manager/COO, the Director will develop and execute a racquets program that reflects the traditions and service standards of Mountain Ridge while continuing to introduce new programming and experiences that drive participation. This is a highly visible, member-facing leadership position. The Director should be an accomplished racquets professional, but equally important is the ability to build relationships, create community, manage a team and understand the hospitality expectations of a premier private club. Success will be measured not simply by lesson volume or financial performance, but by participation, member satisfaction, quality of programming, staff development and the overall energy surrounding racquets at Mountain Ridge. Member Experience & Leadership The Director will serve as the face of the Mountain Ridge racquets program. Responsibilities include: Develop meaningful relationships across all segments of the membership. Maintain a consistent and visible presence throughout the racquets facility. Create an inclusive environment welcoming competitive players, recreational players, beginners, juniors and families. Understand individual member interests and proactively connect members with appropriate games, clinics, teams and social opportunities. Treat members and guests fairly, consistently and respectfully. Respond quickly and professionally to member questions and concerns. Maintain the traditions and standards of Mountain Ridge while continually looking for opportunities to improve the member experience. Racquets Programming Develop and operate a best-in-class tennis and pickleball program serving all skill levels and demographics of the membership. Work collaboratively with the Racquets Committee and Club Management to develop and execute an annual programming calendar that reflects member interests, encourages participation, and provides the appropriate balance of competitive, instructional, recreational, and social racquets opportunities. Programming should include: Men's and women's tennis Men's and women's pickleball Junior tennis and pickleball Private and semi-private instruction Adult clinics Junior clinics and camps Beginner and introductory programming Competitive programming Open play Member tournaments Social mixers Interclub competition Member-guest events Exhibition and professional events Family programming Programming should continually evolve based on participation, member feedback and emerging racquets trends. The Director will also manage court scheduling to create an appropriate balance among open member play, instruction, clinics, interclub competition and special events and will set the overall programming schedule with input from the General Manager/COO and the Committee Chairs. Interclub Teams The Director will oversee Mountain Ridge's current: · 2 Pickleball Interclub Teams · 1 Women's Tennis Interclub Team Responsibilities include organizing practices, coaching where appropriate, coordinating schedules and lineups, communicating with participants, and ensuring courts and hospitality arrangements are properly prepared for all home matches. The Director will also serve as the primary liaison with tennis and pickleball leagues, as well as professionals and captains from other clubs. Responsibilities include establishing team rosters in coordination with Team Captains and Racquets Committee Chairs, preparing and communicating weekly lineups, and proactively filling open spots as needed to ensure teams are properly represented and organized throughout the season. The Director should continually evaluate competitive programming and recommend expansion or modification based on member interest. Events, Corporate Outings & Charitable Programming Racquets are an important component of Mountain Ridge's broader event operation. The Club maintains a robust calendar of member-sponsored corporate events, charitable outings and community organizations, many of which incorporate tennis and pickleball into their day at Mountain Ridge. The Director will work closely with Club Management, Catering, Golf and Food & Beverage to: Develop tennis and pickleball programming for member-sponsored events. Coordinate clinics, tournaments, round robins and open play for groups of varying skill levels. Assist with staffing, equipment, court assignments and event logistics. Help utilize the Racquets Hut and patio as part of the event and hospitality experience. The expectation is that racquets programming complements the overall quality of an event at Mountain Ridge. Racquets Hut & Social Experience The Racquets Hut and surrounding patio should be viewed as more than simply the place members check in for a court. It is an important social gathering point within the Club. The Director will work with Management and Food & Beverage to help create energy around the facility through tournaments, mixers, team matches, viewing events, casual gatherings and other programming. The objective is to make the racquets area a place members enjoy spending time before and after they play, strengthening the social component of the program. The Director will keep the Racquets Hut tidy and well-organized, advise Management when supplies are needed, and maintain a fun and upbeat atmosphere. Instruction The Director is responsible for maintaining exceptional instructional standards throughout the department. The Director will: Provide private and group instruction. Develop instructional programs for all skill levels. Establish consistent teaching standards among professional staff. Evaluate member ability and appropriately place players within clinics and programs. Develop junior players through age and ability-appropriate programming. Create pathways allowing beginner players to progress into regular Club play. Ensure instructional programming supports participation rather than competing with member access to the courts. Staff Leadership Recruit, train, schedule and supervise the professional and seasonal racquets staff. The Director is expected to: Establish clear service and instructional standards. Mentor and develop assistant professionals. Maintain professional appearance and conduct throughout the department. Ensure staff members are visible, approachable and engaged with members. · Hire an assistant professional, in coordination with the General Manager/COO. Finance & Budgeting Working with the General Manager/COO, the Director will: · Recommend appropriate lesson, clinic, team and program pricing. Ensure all member charges are entered accurately and promptly. Manage payroll and seasonal staffing levels. Assist with long-term capital planning for the racquets facility. Identify opportunities to grow participation and revenue without compromising member access or experience. Communication & Promotion Working with Club Management and Marketing, the Director will ensure that racquets programming is communicated clearly, consistently and well in advance. Responsibilities include: Developing the annual racquets calendar. Providing timely information for the Club's website, mobile app and member communications. Coordinating with administrative staff on the creation and distribution of the season schedule and flyers online, via the website and by email. Promoting clinics, tournaments, open play and social events; including direct follow-up with members by email and text. Maintaining regular communication with team participants; including direct follow-up with members by email and text. Keeping the General Manager/COO informed regarding participation, staffing, programming and facility matters. Facility & Court Standards The Director is responsible for ensuring a first-class playing and hospitality environment throughout the racquets facility. Working collaboratively with the Grounds Department, responsibilities include: Daily inspection of all tennis and pickleball courts. Monitoring court conditions and communicating maintenance needs. Ensuring the Racquets Hut, patio and surrounding areas remain clean, organized and presentable. Maintaining racquets equipment and teaching aids. Monitoring nets, windscreens, court furniture, water stations and other amenities. Coordinating court preparation for interclub matches, tournaments and special events. Identifying future facility and equipment needs for inclusion in the Club's capital planning process. Qualifications The ideal candidate will have: A minimum of 5 years of progressive racquets leadership experience, preferably within a private club or high-end hospitality environment. Demonstrated experience developing successful tennis and pickleball programming. Strong tennis teaching and playing credentials. Meaningful knowledge of and enthusiasm for pickleball. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. A demonstrated ability to build relationships with members of varying ages, abilities and interests. Experience organizing tournaments, social events and competitive programming. Comfort with club technology, court reservation systems and member communication platforms. Bachelor's degree preferred but not required for an exceptional candidate with significant private-club racquets experience. Professional Certifications USPTA or PTR certification required/preferred Recognized pickleball certification such as PPR or IPTPA preferred Additional professional development and industry involvement encouraged Compensation Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers flexibility in structuring the position and work schedule; however, the successful candidate should be prepared to make a full seasonal commitment from the second Saturday in April through mid-October, with availability aligned to member activity, programming, interclub play, tournaments, and special events. Mountain Ridge offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including professional association membership and opportunities for continuing education. Application Process Qualified candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their private-club, tennis, pickleball, programming and leadership experience, along with any relevant supporting materials. Important: Save your resume and cover letter in the following manner: “Last Name, First Name – Cover Letter” “Last Name, First Name – Resume” Applications should be submitted to: reception@mountainridgecc.org Application Deadline: September 15, 2026