General Manager, Fox Den Country Club at BoardRoom magazine Knoxville, TN

General Manager, Fox Den Country Club job at BoardRoom magazine. Knoxville, TN. About Fox Den Country Club Knoxville, TN | Established in 1968, Fox Den Country Club is a member-owned private country club located in the heart of the Farragut area of Knoxville, Tennessee. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Smoky Mountains and located in the heart of Farragut, Knoxville’s most desirable community, Fox Den Country Club stands as the premier private club destination in the region. Fox Den offers an atmosphere of comfort, connection, and enjoyment, supported by a dedicated staff that takes genuine pride in exceeding the expectations of its membership. Members are always the first priority, and every member of our team is committed to honoring a rich tradition of delivering exceptional, professional, and highly personalized service. At Fox Den, membership means more than playing on our phenomenal championship golf course or enjoying family and adult casual dining. It's more than member events, or using our state-of-the-art fitness, tennis, and pool amenities… Membership at Fox Den is about Creating Life-Long Memories, Building Relationships and Enriching Lives. As our vision statement affirms, “We are a full-service, family-oriented country club which strives to create, through responsive services in all areas, an environment in which our members, their families, and guests can make new friends, network with others, and enjoy satisfying and memorable social, recreational, and business experiences.” Membership at Fox Den There are four types of memberships at Fox Den Country Club, including two golf and two non-golf. Golf membership types include Full and Junior Executive, both with an initiation fee of $25,000. Dues are $607 and $425, respectively. There are two types of non-golf memberships, including Athletic and House. There are currently 480 full golf members and 770 total members at Fox Den. The Golf Experience Designed and built in 1969 by renowned architect Willard Byrd, who positioned the course perfectly amid the backdrop of the stunning Smoky Mountains, our magnificent setting boasts rolling hills, beautiful wooded areas, ponds, and long fairway stretches. In 2004, Bill Bergin successfully completed a redesign of the golf course, significantly enhancing an already outstanding layout. Multiple tees are available for all ages and abilities to navigate the eight water features and 52 strategically placed bunkers protecting our large greens, averaging 7,500 square feet. Each set of nine holes is arranged in an out-and-back design with both the No. 9 and No. 18 holes returning to the clubhouse. Fox Den’s signature hole No. 18, a par 5, requires 3 accurate shots to a green complex guarded by a pond on the right and bunker on the left. Using a golf cart is not mandatory at Fox Den, and walking is allowed at all times on the course. Fox Den is also the former host of the Knoxville Open. State-of-the-Art Teaching Facility The Fox Den Teaching Facility, led by Director of Instruction Jake Reeves, PGA, is a complete learning center consisting of two indoor hitting bays, allowing Members to work on their swing fundamentals year-round. The Teaching Center features a state-of-the-art TrackMan 4 video system for teaching and custom club fitting. The Teaching Facility is one of the top golf club fitting studios in Tennessee. The use of TrackMan and fitting clubs from the likes of Titleist, PING, and Callaway allows members to get the most out of their golf swing and game by analyzing and comparing different club heads, shafts, etc. Learn More About Fox Den Country Club's History FOOD & BEVERAGE The Club's multiple dining areas provide a variety of dining options for members and their guests. From the family-friendly casual atmosphere of Tackett's to the sophisticated comfort of Ginty's Bar or the adult casual atmosphere of Legends, members are assured of a marvelous experience. Regardless of where members dine, they are treated to a spectacular view of our legendary 18th hole, providing the perfect setting for savoring time with family, friends and colleagues. Ginty's Bar Ginty's Bar is where members come to enjoy an after-work or after-play drink while surrounded by fellow friends and members. This bar provides a breathtaking corner view of our legendary 18th hole and practice facilities and serves as the perfect place for pre-dinner cocktails, appetizers and small plates. Members also enjoy weekly happy hour drink specials, discounted appetizers & small plates. Ginty's also provides the perfect venue for members to watch their favorite televised sporting events. Ginty's is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. -10 p.m. Legends Dining Room Legends is adjacent to Ginty's Bar and serves dinner featuring great steaks, seafood, porkchops and more. Legends is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Tackett's Grill Tackett's Grill reopened in mid-June 2022 after a complete $1.2M renovation. Tackett's Grill is a modern sports bar venue where members can relax and enjoy food and drinks while watching the latest televised sporting events. Tackett's also has a wonderfully relaxing outdoor patio area featuring a fire pit and a beautiful view of the 18th green. BANQUETS & NON-GOLF Fox Den Country Club is a popular choice for weddings, social events, holiday parties, and business functions. The main ballroom at Fox Den can accommodate events for up to 400 guests. The Silver Fox Room features a ceiling-mounted projector and is the perfect venue for business events for up to 80 guests. The Amber Fox Room features an outdoor view and is a wonderful venue for social events for up to 80 people. Brassies and the Fox Den Boardroom are perfect for business gatherings for 20-30 people. In conjunction with the Fox Den HOA, the Club hosts one of Knoxville's largest 4th of July fireworks celebrations. Racket Sports Fox Den members enjoy five of the best clay courts in Knoxville, as well as two lighted Deco-Turf hard courts. The tennis and pickleball season runs April through November, beginning with tennis & social events and ending with season-closing events for both juniors and adults. Our Tennis Program offers a wide range of leagues, clinics, and programs for men, women, juniors, and couples. Additionally, there is a Tennis Pro Shop on-site, which offers basic tennis supplies, stringing, and repairs. For more information on the Fox Den racket sports program, please click the following link: Fox Den Racket Sports Fitness Center Fox Den has a state-of-the-art fitness center that houses a cardio fitness room complete with treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and a cardio theatre. There is a Fixed Weight Area offering Precor equipment and a collection of barbells and dumbbells. Our stretching room offers a variety of stretching tools and balance balls. Shower and changing facilities for both ladies and gentlemen come complete with towels, hairdryers, basic grooming products, and personal or day-use lockers. The Fitness Center is open daily from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Aquatics The Fox Den Swimming Pool Complex offers a combination of 1′ and 3′ children’s pools and a Junior Olympic swimming pool. There is a poolside snack bar available for purchasing drinks, snacks, and light meals while lounging around the pool. Restrooms and changing facilities are also available for Member convenience. All Fox Den lifeguards and teaching instructors are Red Cross certified. Throughout the season, adult Members and children enjoy special events, such as our Movie Night at the Pool, 4th of July Pool Party, Back to School Bash, and more! KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee. However, Knoxville is more than just a college town. It's a multicultural community that embraces an array of pastimes. The population of Knox County is just under 500,000. Downtown Knoxville is full of interesting shops like the independent Union Ave Books and the old-time Mast General Store, as well as the popular Market Square. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, both within a 90-minute drive of the city, are beautiful places to go for a hike, as is Ijams Nature Center, which is closer to downtown. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy cheering on the minor league baseball Tennessee Smokies, the Knoxville Ice Bears minor league professional hockey team, and the SEC-affiliated University of Tennessee Volunteers sports teams. But shopping, sports, and natural beauty aren't the only reasons to move here. Affordability is another major incentive. The cost of buying a home in Knoxville is less than it is in many other major metro areas around the country. Residents also enjoy the added benefit of proximity to major highways that connect Knoxville to places like Nashville, Atlanta, and Chattanooga. There is also no state income tax in Tennessee. Knoxville also benefits from excellent schools with numerous public and affordable private schools. For more information, please click the following link: VISIT KNOXVILLE Position Overview Title: General Manager Reports to: Board of Directors Supervises: Club House, Golf Operations, Course Maintenance, and Food & Beverage Operations Position Concept: This leader will bring the experience, sophistication, and judgment required to build upon a strong foundation and further elevate the total membership experience—particularly through enhanced food and beverage offerings, engaging family programming, thoughtful facility stewardship, and a refined private country club culture. The GM is responsible for the financial and operational stability of the club and other internal and external activities. Duties include working with the Board of Directors in setting and revising the Club’s strategic plan, tracking progress in implementing strategic directives, managing staff, focusing on maintaining quality facilities, safety, services, and programs throughout all social and recreational offerings year-round. The GM must possess a keen financial acumen with the ability to maintain strong operating performance while strategically planning and prioritizing capital investments that enhance amenities, programming, and services that deliver long-term value to the membership. Innovation and creativity with a “continuous‐improvement management” philosophy is a desired cornerstone for the Club’s operation and a critical success factor for the future. Making thoughtful, strategic, and practical recommendations to the Board of Directors related to operational and capital areas of investment (or divestment) grounded in data and industry trends is a key function of this position. The successful candidate will possess a sincere passion for excellence and a dedication to providing an exceptional and naturally welcoming environment for its members, families, and guests, along with a true appreciation for golf. The GM will be a visible, engaged, and hands-on leader with responsibility for developing a high-performing senior leadership team. Their direct reports will include the Club Controller, Head Golf Professional, Director of Instruction, Golf Course Superintendent, Tennis Director, Membership Director, Food & Beverage Director, Head Chef, and the Building Maintenance Manager. Essential Job Functions Leadership & Interpersonal Skills • Demonstrates an outgoing, highly approachable, and service-oriented leadership style; maintains high visibility with members and staff while leading by example with professionalism, diplomacy, and integrity. • Serves as a great mentor, delegator, and coach, fostering accountability, engagement, and professional growth while empowering department heads to lead effectively. • Embraces a culture of continuous improvement, remaining forward-thinking, adaptable, and open-minded to new ideas from committees, members, and staff. • Values and protects the unique personality and culture of Fox Den Country Club, ensuring that decisions align with member expectations and the Club's long-term identity. Club Governance & Board Relations • Maintains a strong, collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors, providing clear, timely, and transparent communication while supporting governance best practices. • Demonstrates sound judgment and diplomacy in navigating Board, committee, and member relationships, building consensus and trust across all constituencies. Strategic Planning & Change Management • Acts as a proactive change agent who takes initiative, builds consensus, and leads strategic improvements to ensure Fox Den Country Club remains relevant, vibrant, and sustainable. • Provides long-range planning leadership, aligning operational priorities, capital planning, and amenity development with the Club’s strategic plan. • Demonstrates renovation and capital project experience, leading planning, communication, and execution while minimizing disruption to the member experience. Financial Management & Business Acumen • Demonstrates strong financial and business acumen, including oversight and development of annual operating and capital budgets while maximizing revenues and controlling expenses. • Reports on the Club’s financial performance, benchmarking results against strategic objectives, and regional and national private club industry standards. • Applies data-driven decision-making and financial discipline to support long-term sustainability and investment in Club amenities. Operations & Facilities Management • Possesses the knowledge and ability to manage and collaborate across all Club departments, including clubhouse operations, golf, course maintenance, tennis, pickleball, junior activities, and family programming. • Drives the growth, quality, and relevance of all Club amenities, not solely golf, ensuring a balanced, compelling, and high-performing overall Club experience. • Anticipates member needs and ensures consistent, high-quality service delivery through effective operational systems and standards. Food & Beverage Operations • Leads food and beverage operations to new levels of quality, consistency, and member satisfaction through strong operational oversight, training, and hospitality leadership. • Establishes service standards, training programs, and accountability measures that consistently elevate the dining and social experience. Human Resources & Talent Development • Recruits, develops, and retains talented, motivated department heads and staff, emphasizing leadership capability, cultural fit, and service excellence. • Creates a positive, inclusive, and performance-driven workplace culture that supports employee engagement, retention, and professional development. Technology & Innovation • Demonstrates very high computer literacy and technological savvy, leveraging systems and emerging technologies to enhance operations, communication, efficiency, and the member experience. • Encourages innovation and continuous process improvement across departments. Membership Engagement & Programming • Develops and executes a robust, year-round calendar of programming for members of all ages, with particular emphasis on families, juniors (under 18), and junior executive members (up to 40). • Maintains high visibility and active engagement with the membership, ensuring Fox Den Country Club is the preferred destination for recreation, connection, and community. Community & External Relations • Maintains positive, proactive relationships with neighboring institutional and residential stakeholders and remains informed of issues that may impact the Club. • Represents the Club professionally within the community, reinforcing Fox Den’s reputation and long-term standing. Professional Experience • Brings prior General Manager experience, or senior-level Assistant General Manager experience, with the leadership presence and operational depth required to manage a full-service private club. Experience And Qualifications Including, but not limited to, the following: Education and Certifications • CMAA Member, PGA Member, CCM designation, or working toward this designation • A degree in Hospitality Management or equivalent work experience is required. • A minimum of 5 years of verifiable, progressive leadership and management experience in an active, private member-focused club or a premier hospitality environment. NOTE: Current Assistant General Managers or Club Managers at clubs or in the hospitality field, with verifiable records of achievement, will be considered for this role. Knowledge, Skills, & Traits • A Team Builder. A person who embodies the persona of an ultimate coach and motivator, bringing out the best in others by setting clear goals and expectations, providing consistent feedback and support, and treating others with respect and professionalism. • A confident, diplomatic, respectful, and competent professional who is a take-charge person and recognizes the importance of accountability. A creative problem solver who commands respect through professional interactions and integrity. • Passion for the role, with a positive, thoughtful demeanor conducive to a fun, personalized member and staff-centric environment. • Friendly, out-going and communicative • A strong “bottom up” leader who has shown and demonstrated the ability to coach, mentor, develop, and advance members of the Fox Den team. • Possess strong organizational skills and an obsession with details necessary to achieve high levels of quality, satisfaction, and outstanding member experiences with high levels of staff satisfaction and member engagement. • Very good verbal and written communication skills. • The General Manager will be professional in appearance and present themselves accordingly at the Club. Compensation And Benefits The club will provide a compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. This includes but is not limited to: • Annual performance bonus, based on outcomes in relation to predetermined “department metrics” and goals • Health insurance for self and family • Participation in the Club’s Simple IRA 3% match upon eligibility after one year • Negotiable clothing allowance, cell phone, and pre-approved professional development • CMAA membership and PGA dues paid • Vacation, holidays, sick, and other paid time off per Club policy • Relocation allowance is negotiable Interested candidates with specific compensation questions can contact the Career Services team. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below. Resume deadline is February 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time Combine your cover letter, resume, references, and any supporting documents into one (1) PDF document with the following file naming convention: Last Name, First Name, Fox Den Country Club, General Manager Please address all correspondence to – Mr. Ed Pacelli | President | Fox Den Country Club If you’re attending the CMAA Show in Anaheim, CA, be sure to connect with our team on site to learn more! Jim West, PGA, Kevin Walls, PGA, and Scott Kmiec are leading this search, please contact them with any questions. Email: jwest@pgahq.com kwalls@pgahq.com skmiec@pgahq.com The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time