General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, The Minikahda Club

The Opportunity

Founded in 1898, The Minikahda Club is one of the oldest and most distinguished private clubs west of the Mississippi River. Located just minutes from downtown Minneapolis, the Club enjoys a picturesque setting overlooking Lake Bde Maka Ska and the Minneapolis skyline. Its name, derived from the Dakota language, means “by the side of the water,” reflecting its historic connection to the surrounding landscape. For more than 125 years, Minikahda has upheld a proud tradition of excellence, fellowship, and gracious hospitality.

At the heart of the Club is its renowned Donald Ross-designed championship golf course, recognized among the region’s premier classic courses. Minikahda boasts a distinguished championship history, having hosted the 1916 U.S. Open, 1927 U.S. Amateur, 1957 Walker Cup, 1988 U.S. Women’s Amateur, 1998 Curtis Cup, and 2017 U.S. Senior Amateur. The Club remains committed to preserving its rich golfing heritage while thoughtfully enhancing its facilities to meet the evolving needs of its membership.

Beyond golf, Minikahda offers a comprehensive, year-round private club experience featuring outstanding dining, tennis, paddle tennis, swimming, fitness, and seasonal recreational activities. Its historic clubhouse serves as the social heart of the Club, offering elegant and casual dining, private events, and memorable gatherings complemented by sweeping lake and city views. Together, these amenities create a welcoming, family-oriented environment that fosters lasting relationships and meaningful connections across generations.

The Minikahda Club is deeply rooted in the values of family, fellowship, integrity, respect, and inclusiveness. Its culture reflects a commitment to understated excellence, personalized service, and genuine relationships among members and staff. By honoring its cherished traditions while embracing thoughtful progress, the Club continues to deliver an exceptional member experience while ensuring its legacy remains strong for generations to come.

Gross revenues total $17M with Food & Beverage accounting for $4M, of which 45% is generated from private events. There are 668 member households.

The Position

The Minikahda Club presents an exciting opportunity for an accomplished, forward-thinking General Manager/COO to lead one of the nation’s most distinguished private clubs. The successful candidate will be a highly visible, approachable, and strategic leader who embraces the Club’s rich history, cherished traditions, and strong sense of community while thoughtfully positioning Minikahda for continued success.

Working in close partnership with the Board of Governors, the General Manager/COO will provide strong operational and financial leadership, guide strategic and capital planning initiatives, and serve as a trusted advisor on matters impacting the Club’s long-term future. A key priority will be fostering a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging technology, strengthening operational processes, enhancing cross-departmental collaboration, and empowering a talented leadership team to deliver consistently outstanding results.

Central to this role is a genuine passion for hospitality, relationship building, and creating memorable member experiences. The General Manager/COO will champion a welcoming, family-oriented culture, elevate food and beverage offerings, and ensure that all amenities, programming, and services reflect the high standards and evolving expectations of the membership.

This is an opportunity for a dynamic, collaborative leader who combines sound business judgment, financial discipline, and operational expertise with a deep appreciation for private club culture. The ideal candidate will honor Minikahda’s proud legacy while bringing the vision, energy, and leadership necessary to guide the Club confidently into its next chapter.

The Direct reports for this position are: Director of Human Resources, CFO, 2 Co-Executive Chefs, Clubhouse Manager, Director of Racquet Sports, Director of Golf, and Director of Agronomy.

The candidate

The successful candidate should possess the following knowledge, skills and attributes to be successful:

An experienced General Manager with a proven track record of success leading well-regarded private clubs or organizations of similar scale.Skilled in managing relationships, fostering collaboration and effective partnerships that align with the Club’s vision and strategic goals.Experience executing rolling strategic planning process and overseeing capital projects is highly desired.Strong financial and business acumen relevant to club operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning.A history of elevating club operations and delivering exceptional member service across all club departments.An effective communicator who engages confidently and thoughtfully with members, staff, and Club leadership at all levelsStrength in leading operations with world-class food, beverage and dining standardsProven ability to build, develop, and retain strong, cohesive teams, successfully driving them to achieve organizational goals.A college degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferred.

However, industry certifications and extensive relevant work experience are equally valued.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred.Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical leadership.Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation preferred.

The Salary

The position offers annual compensation in the range of $350,000–$400,000, with flexibility for executives whose experience and qualifications warrant consideration beyond. A benefits package will be offered and includes health insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer contribution, and other industry related benefits customary for executive leadership positions.

The Hiring Process

If you would like to propose a candidate for consideration, please contact tCC partner Kirk Reese or Director of Recruitment Alison Savona. Interested candidates may submit their cover letter and resume via our Applicant Portal. Please address your cover letter to Mr. Kip Colwell, Search Chair. Should you have any additional questions regarding this opportunity, please contact us at opportunities@theclubcouncil.com.