Director of Golf Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club

DIRECTOR OF GOLF PROFILE:

ROYAL AUCKLAND AND GRANGE GOLF CLUB

AUCKLAND, NZ THE DIRECTOR OF GOLF OPPORTUNITY AT ROYAL AUCKLAND AND GRANGE GOLF CLUB

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club seeks a dynamic, experienced Director of Golf. You’ll bring strong leadership skills, an extensive track record in golf operations, and a proven ability to deliver 5-star service in a premier golf club or resort setting. As Director of Golf, you’ll oversee all aspects of golf operations, ensuring the highest standards of service and customer satisfaction.

The role requires excellent interpersonal skills, as you’ll engage with members and guests regularly. If you have an extensive background in golf management and a reputation for delivering exceptional service, we invite you to apply for this key leadership position at one of New Zealand’s premier golf clubs.

ABOUT ROYAL AUCKLAND AND GRANGE GOLF CLUB

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club is one of the only truly private member clubs in New Zealand and is known within Australia and New Zealand as one of the premier member clubs.

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club was formed in 2015 through the merger of Auckland Golf Club, founded in 1894, and the Grange Golf Club, founded in 1924. The merger combined the strengths and traditions of both institutions, bringing together their histories, courses, and memberships to create one of New Zealand’s premier golf facilities.

A CLUB ON THE RISE

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club is proud to be the home club of Ryan Fox, 2026 Champion Golfer of the Year and winner of The Open Championship. Each December, RAGGC hosts Kiwibank Chasing the Fox, New Zealand’s premier golf entertainment event, bringing professional golfers, sporting stars and celebrities together for Fox’s signature six-hole exhibition.

The Club also hosted the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship in 2026 (confirmed for 2027) and the R&A Millennium Trophy in 2025. RAGGC has recently completed a new arrivals and halfway house project, is about to begin a $4 million agronomy facility upgrade, and will next redevelop its driving range — a project the incoming Director of Golf will help shape.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES AND CAREER PATHWAY

RAGGC welcomes internal candidates alongside the external search, considered on equal footing throughout. The Club views this role as a genuine leadership pathway, with potential for future senior leadership at RAGGC, including GM/CEO succession — demonstrated ambition for that level of leadership is one of the selection criteria.

ROYAL AUCKLAND AND GRANGE GOLF CLUB BY THE NUMBERS

Initiation Fees: NZD$19,000 Annual dues: NZD$6,455 Approximately 12 FTE employees in Golf Operations Approximately 55,000 rounds of golf annually on 27 holes Club POS Lightspeed X Series; Accounting Xero; Club Management DotGolf

ROYAL AUCKLAND AND GRANGE GOLF CLUB WEBSITE: raggc.com

DIRECTOR OF GOLF POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Golf will manage and lead the Golf Operation at both an operational and strategic level, acting as the golfing “face and personality” of the Club and building a culture that encourages participation, camaraderie, and membership growth.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee operations and maintenance of the golf shops, teaching services, driving range, locker rooms, golf car fleet, storage facilities, and the Club’s golfing diary. Lead and develop all golf-related and member service-related direct reports. Prepare and regularly review the golf operations business plan, including operational and capital budgets, sales initiatives, course usage monitoring, and performance reporting. Identify opportunities and threats in the golfing market and implement course and golf operation strategies to enhance the offering. Continually review and implement world-class operational procedures and policies, including Workplace Health and Safety compliance, training and communication, to maintain a five-star standard. Build the Club’s golf and social culture through events, international matches, clinics, away golf, family usage initiatives, Junior Clinics, Holiday Camps, and Competitions. Lead member attraction, retention and onboarding initiatives, and communicate golfing matters to the membership across the Club’s website, notice boards and newsletter. Advise the Agronomy team on course setup, playability and aesthetics, and work with external stakeholders (PGA of New Zealand, Golf New Zealand, Golf Tourism) and the Club’s department heads to ensure professional delivery of golf-related events.

Candidate Qualifications and Experience

Proven leader and mentor who sets clear goals and expectations, holds people accountable, and brings out the best in others through consistent feedback and respectful, professional engagement. Proven experience managing or supervising a team, with a strong operational management record. Verifiable strength working closely with management and other stakeholders to develop and execute the Club’s vision. Excellent organisational, technological and time management skills, with a keen eye for detail and a data-driven approach. Experience running and organising successful golf events. Member-focused, with high energy and a genuine desire to engage actively and hospitably with members and their guests. Career-driven and passionate about the industry, with an entrepreneurial spirit to create new programs while respecting the Club’s current culture and traditions. Comfortable public speaking.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

It is preferred that the ideal candidate is currently undertaking the CMAA BMI pathway but not required. The successful candidate will possess a high level of proficiency in playing golf.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

A highly competitive salary and attractive benefits package.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY

Please upload your CV and cover letter, in that order, using the link below. You should have your documents fully prepared to be attached when prompted for them during the online application process. Please be sure your image is not present on your CV or cover letter; that should be used on your LinkedIn Profile.

Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to Ed Chapman, CEO of Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club, and clearly articulate your alignment with this role and why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career, and why RAGGC and the Auckland, NZ area will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.

Applications close: 28th October 2026 Candidate selections and first interviews: early-mid November, with second interviews shortly after.

IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner:

“Last Name, First Name – Resume” &

“Last Name, First Name – Cover Letter – Royal Auckland”

(These documents should be in Word or PDF format)

Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents.

If you have any questions, please email Zak Kuebler: zak@kkandw.com

Lead Search Executive:

Michael Herd

Head of International Search & Consulting, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE

+44 (0) 7903 035312 – UK

michael.herd@kkandw.com

Emily McCarvill

Search & Consulting Executive – New Zealand, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE

O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 731 – United States

M: +64 21 297 3235 – New Zealand

emily.mccarvill@kkandw.com

To apply for this position click the link below.

Apply for the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club Director of Golf position