Controller

Controller Position Profile

Avalon Yacht Club

Avalon, NJ

The Club

Situated along South Jersey's intracoastal waterway, an exclusive location, Avalon Yacht Club (AYC) offers unrestricted panoramic water views and spectacular sunsets. Located in Cape May County, NJ, which is a peninsula bound the Delaware Bay to its west and the Atlantic Ocean to its east and south, this “tiny” gem offers a premier boating experience like no other. With its picturesque location, top-notch facilities, and a vibrant community of fellow boaters, Avalon Yacht Club is the ultimate destination for those seeking adventure on the open waters. The official dedication was held on Monday, May 30, 1942. Even though the war was on and gas rationing made getting to the Club difficult, the members found innovative ways. The younger set walked, and a hay wagon would pick up the older members at various spots on 2nd Ave (now Dune Drive) and drop them off at 7th Street and 3rd Ave. From there, the members walked a long, narrow path strung only with dim lights, due to the war, to get to the Club. The hay wagon proved the best way for all to navigate the homeward trip! The camaraderie progressed so greatly that by the late 1940s, we had approximately 70 Proprietary members, 120 Annual members, and 50 Junior members!

Avalon Yacht Club prides itself on its sailing events. The Club offers a variety of sailing events and racing series for adults and juniors and sails a range of boats including the Optimist, Sunfish, Laser, Club 420, and a small number of offshore keelboats. The juniors program averages about 150 campers ages 5 to 15 each season. In addition to the club-level events, the Avalon Yacht Club hosts three invitational events including the Avalon MAYRA Regatta, Avalon Yacht Club Juniors Regatta, and the Avalon Cup Offshore Race.

The Avalon Cup Regatta is hosted by the Avalon Yacht Club each year in late July/early August. The racing is comprised of two divisions: the Flying Scot fleet and the Off-Shore fleet. The Flying Scots are towed through Townsends Inlet drawbridge and compete in a distance race in the ocean to the “lump” and back. The Off-Shore division has three ORR-ez classes that compete in a distance race of approximately 13 miles to Cape May. The Avalon Cup is awarded to the boat with the best-corrected finish in the distance race. The Flying Scot Awards are hosted after racing at AYC. The Avalon Cup and Off-Shore class trophies are awarded at CYCCM after racing. The Friday night before racing AYC hosts the Avalon Cup dinner for all sailors and their guests. The race starts within sight of the Avalon beaches providing great opportunities for spectators.

The AYC Junior Sailing Program is a set of activities organized to promote sailing for members’ children and grandchildren. Those activities include two four-week sessions of sailing classes for children seven years and older, arts and crafts classes for children ages five and six, the AYC Racing Team, weekend intraclub regattas, Family Day, and Family Night. The Program has been a part of the Club since the 1950s and has taught generations of children to sail while they form lasting friendships, learn teamwork, improve self-confidence, and develop other life skills.

Avalon Yacht Club is considered one of the most sought-after premises for weddings and events in South Jersey! The exquisite location along the bayfront makes the Club one of the most beautiful venues in the area and a perfect location to host weddings or a special private event. The breathtaking panoramic views provide the ideal atmosphere and setting for your special day.

The social atmosphere at AYC is lively. Members’ friendships are enriched through special dining events, youth and family activities, and a variety of sailing venues from lessons and racing to sailboat rentals. AYC continues to encourage generations to appreciate South Jersey’s intercoastal waterway and the love of sailing, boating, fishing, general water sports, and relaxing on the beach.

Avalon Yacht Club’s gross dollar volume exceeds $3.5m with dues of $1m, and annual Food and Beverage volume of $2.4m. There are currently 600 memberships. The average age of the membership is 60 and trending lower. The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Club and consists of twenty Trustees: The Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Rear-Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, and (15) other Trustees, all proprietary members, all of whom can serve on the 11 standing Committees: House, Membership, By-Laws, Finance, Insurance, Communications, Planning, Building & Grounds, Youth & Sailing, Marina and Nominating Committee. In addition, there is a Foundation Committee and occasional Ad Hoc Committees.

Avalon Yacht Club employs 35 full- and part-time employees. The Club is open 10 months out of the year and is closed in January and February. The Club is open on a limited basis in the off-season and six days per week in the season.

The Position

The Controller at Avalon Yacht Club (AYC) is responsible for the development and operation of an effective system of accounting, budgetary, financial, asset and production controls over all club activities, for advising and making recommendations to the General Manager, concerning financial and control aspects of the club, aids in the determination and achievement of overall club objectives, policies, and plans.

LEADERSHIP

The Controller is responsible for all Accounting operations while working closely with General Manager, Treasurer and outside Accountants. He or she creates the standards for policies and procedures, communicates these policies, and ensures that the policies are adhered to by all staff throughout the Club.

The Controller leads the accounting initiative relative to accident prevention, training and retention of staff, and safety standards. The Controller pays sharp attention to detail, enforces the highest standards of fiscal controls, and ensures that all accounting staff approach the standards with the same level of focus.

The Controller holds himself or herself accountable to achieve strategic goals and objectives and, ultimately, results. The Controller should also be flexible and adaptable to making changes.

The Controller has a proven track record of budgeting and controlling costs. He or she is adept at creating and managing multiple budgets and provides purchase specifications to control quality and costs. He or she also keeps a close watch on minimizing waste. The Controller pays close attention and takes corrective action as needed to ensure that financial goals are met. The Controller works as a strategic and operational partner with AYC managers and staff to develop information sharing, good communication, superior internal and external customer relationships and high-performance teamwork to achieve objectives.

The Controller demonstrates business ethics and personal integrity. He or she is widely trusted and is a direct and truthful leader.

The Person

The successful candidate will have a track record of delivering accurate and timely financial information and participating in high level decision making relative to fiscal management in conjunction with the General Manager and Treasurer.  The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal skills and will be adept at turning a challenging situation in to an opportunity for success. The successful candidate will have an impeccable attention to detail.  The successful candidate will have a proven track record of 5 or more years as Controller or Assistant Controller in a private member-owned club or high-end hospitality environment. The successful candidate will have a four-year college degree or high school degree and significant related work experience. Available to work days and some evening hours is necessary. Strong computers skills are a must, including advanced skills in Accounting Software, Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point. Experience in a Private Country Club and knowledge of  Northstar and Jonas Software are pluses. 

Compensation

• Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers a bonus and benefit package