Director of Golf

The Town Ridgefield is located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, approximately one hour north of New York City. Founded more than 300 years ago, the Town has a population of just over 25,000 and is known for its historic Main Street, highly rated school system, cultural attractions, and picturesque setting. Situated in prosperous Fairfield County, Ridgefield is accessible to regional transportation while retaining its distinctive community character. With six airports, two train stations, and three major interstates within driving distance, Ridgefield offers access to the region while retaining a distinctive sense of place. The Town provides a vibrant mix of culture, dining, shopping, and outdoor recreation, including the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Weir Farm National Historic Site, Keeler Tavern, the Ridgefield Playhouse, the Prospector Theater, and ACT of CT. Ridgefield is governed through a grouping of boards, committees, and commissions working under the direction of the First Selectperson. Under the Town Charter, a five-member Board of Selectpersons is elected every four years. The Town is a full-service municipality, providing Fire, EMS, Police, Public Services, Golf Course Operations, Animal Control, and other municipal functions. Ridgefield Golf Course Ridgefield Golf Course is a community-oriented public golf facility serving recreational golfers, leagues, tournaments, families, beginners, experienced players, and local organizations. The Fazio-designed course is located in the heart of Fairfield County and features rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, ponds, challenging greens, and scenic local views. The front nine is generally more open from tee to green, while the back nine presents a more demanding test off the tee. The course operates from approximately April 1 through the last Sunday in November. Its busiest and most demanding period occurs during the golf season. The facility supports: - Daily public play and tee-time operations - Golf instruction, clinics, junior programs, and summer camps - Leagues, tournaments, outings, and community events - Pro shop retail sales and golf-related services - Contracted food-and-beverage service for golfers - Coordination among golf operations, maintenance, the Golf Committee, Town leadership, vendors, and the public The Opportunity The Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, seeks an experienced, energetic, business-minded golf professional to serve as Golf Director and lead the complete operation of the Ridgefield Golf Course. This is an exceptional opportunity to manage a highly visible municipal golf operation in partnership with the First Selectperson, Golf Committee, Board of Selectpersons, Town departments, course staff, golfers, vendors, contractors, and community organizations. The Golf Director is responsible for golf operations; clubhouse, pro shop, and golfer-facing facilities; administration; budgeting; seasonal staffing; tournaments; instruction; programming; maintenance coordination; and coordination with the Town’s contracted food-and-beverage concessionaire. The position also includes the opportunity to operate the pro shop as an independent private business under a business agreement with the Town. Subject to Town policies and the employment agreement, the Golf Director may also provide golf lessons, conduct summer camps, install approved tee signs, and harvest golf balls from course ponds without an additional fee to the Town. The successful candidate will be comfortable in a demanding, public-facing environment; lead a substantial seasonal workforce; and balance excellent customer service, golf-industry knowledge, sound business judgment, and responsible municipal financial management. Reporting and Scope of Authority - Reports to the First Selectperson and serves as a Town department head under an employment contract. - Works collaboratively with the Golf Committee, Board of Selectpersons, Finance, Human - Resources, Public Services, and other Town departments. - Directs the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the Ridgefield Golf - Course, subject to Town Charter provisions, ordinances, Town policies, approved budgets, contracts, and applicable law. - Supervises Town golf-course operations staff and coordinates with the Golf Course - Superintendent, maintenance staff, contractors, vendors, concessionaire, and independently employed pro shop staff. - Serves as the principal operational liaison among Town leadership, the Golf Committee, golfers, employees, vendors, and community partners. Scope of Operation The Golf Director will oversee an operation with the following general characteristics: - Approximately 25 seasonal and part-time Town employees - Full-time maintenance personnel, including the Golf Course Superintendent, a five-person full-time staff, and seasonal maintenance staff - Seasonal and part-time Town employees generally limited to approximately 29 hours per week and 1,000 hours per year - An annual operating budget of approximately $1.4 million, excluding bond payments on capital items and employee benefits carried elsewhere in the Town budget - Recent annual revenue of slightly more than $1.9 million for the fiscal year ending June 30 A public-facility mission in which the Town seeks responsible operations and strong service, rather than profit maximization alone - Budget and operating figures are provided as general information and may change from year to year.