Vice President - Watersound Club

Job Summary

The Vice President of Watersound Club is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, operational excellence, financial performance, and member experience of Watersound Club and its associated golf, club, dining, recreation, wellness, and lifestyle amenities. This executive leader will ensure the Club consistently delivers an exceptional member and guest experience while driving membership growth, operational efficiency, team development, and long-term asset value.

The Vice President serves as the primary leader for all Club operations and works closely with senior company leadership to execute strategic initiatives, enhance member engagement, support capital improvement projects, and position Watersound Club as one of the premier private club destinations in the Southeast.

Essential Functions

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all Watersound Club operations.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term business plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• Partner with executive leadership on growth initiatives, membership strategy, capital investments, and operational planning.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive clubs, and member preferences to identify opportunities for innovation and enhancement.
• Foster a culture of service excellence, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Club Operations

• Oversee all club operations, including golf, lodging, food and beverage, member services, events, recreation, wellness, retail, and clubhouse operations.
• Ensure consistent execution of service standards and operating procedures across all club facilities.
• Monitor operational performance and implement improvements that enhance efficiency and member satisfaction.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration among departments to ensure a seamless member experience.

Golf Operations Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of all golf operations, including courses, practice facilities, tournaments, instructional programs, golf retail, and member golf experiences.
• Partner closely with Golf General Managers, Directors of Golf, and Golf Course Superintendents to ensure operational excellence and exceptional course conditions.
• Support strategic planning for golf course improvements, expansions, and capital projects.
• Drive participation, tournament engagement, and member satisfaction across all golf offerings.
• Ensure golf operations align with the Club’s luxury service standards and financial objectives.

Membership Growth & Engagement

• Lead membership strategy focused on acquisition, retention, engagement, and overall member satisfaction.
• Monitor membership trends and develop initiatives that strengthen the value proposition of Watersound Club.
• Collaborate with membership sales teams to achieve growth objectives and maximize member utilization.
• Regularly engage with members to gather feedback and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure member concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.

Food & Beverage Leadership

• Provide oversight of all dining operations, culinary programming, special events, and member experiences.
• Partner with culinary and food and beverage leaders to drive innovation, quality, profitability, and service excellence.
• Ensure dining experiences consistently reflect the standards and expectations of a premier private club environment.

Financial Performance

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital plans.
• Drive revenue growth and profitability across all club operations.
• Monitor key financial metrics and implement strategies to improve performance while maintaining service quality.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of club assets and resources.

Talent Development & Culture

• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional leadership talent throughout the Club.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures across departments.
• Support leadership development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Promote a positive workplace culture that reflects the values of The St. Joe Company and Watersound Club.

Capital Projects & Asset Management

• Participate in planning and execution of clubhouse,  restaurants, golf courses, amenities, and facility improvement projects.
• Ensure capital investments support member satisfaction, operational efficiency, and long-term asset value.
• Collaborate with development, construction, and executive leadership teams on future growth opportunities.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Promote a strong culture of safety and risk awareness throughout club operations.
• Partner with Risk & Safety leadership to maintain operational compliance and best practices.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in private clubs, golf clubs, luxury hospitality, resorts, or destination club environments.
• Minimum of 5 years of executive-level leadership experience overseeing multi-department operations.
• Proven experience managing golf operations, membership programs, food and beverage operations, and luxury service environments.
• Demonstrated success driving financial performance, membership growth, and operational excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong understanding of private club operations and governance.
• Deep knowledge of golf operations, membership programs, hospitality, and food and beverage management.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong financial and business acumen.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and manage multiple operational disciplines.
• Ability to build strong relationships with members, guests, team members, and community stakeholders.

Physical Demands

• Ability to operate normal office equipment.
• Extensive use of computer.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time (up to 6 hours).
• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment, with frequent travel to other various properties within small geographic region.