Director of Racquet Sports

Overview
Butterfield Country Club, an esteemed private club dedicated to providing exceptional experiences, is seeking an innovative and motivated Director of Racquets to oversee and elevate its racquet sports programs: tennis, paddle, and the highly anticipated pickleball. The role requires a visionary leader who can inspire participation, develop skill levels across all ages, and create a strong sense of community through engaging and inclusive programming.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Development & Growth

• Tennis: Support and collaborate with the head tennis pro in managing and improving the club’s tennis offerings with diverse programming, such as advanced clinics for competitive players, beginner boot camps, cardio tennis, social round robins, and family-friendly events like parent-child tournaments.
• Paddle: Revitalize the paddle program by increasing participation in leagues, evening paddle socials, mixed doubles events, and other themed events to re-engage the member base and attract more/new members to the sport. Implement strategies to attract beginners and enhance the experience for experienced players.
• Pickleball: Build an exciting pickleball program from the ground up, offering instructional clinics, drop-in play, ladder leagues, and introductory pickleball nights to familiarize members with the sport and capitalize on the excitement around the new courts being built.

2. Member Engagement & Retention

• Actively engage members with innovative events, such as themed tournaments, member guest events, guest speaker clinics with professional players, or club-wide racquet sports challenges.
• Increase membership engagement and participation in all racquet sports.
• Build inter-club and intra-club competition opportunities, including men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events for tennis, paddle, and pickleball.
• Increase participation in the inter-club paddle league and improve the competitiveness of club teams.
• Create a welcoming environment for new members by hosting introductory lessons, mixers, and orientation events to integrate them into the racquets community.
• Stay attuned to member feedback, continuously improving programs and creating personalized experiences to enhance satisfaction.
• Establish and manage a targeted communications and social media presence to keep members informed, publicize, and showcase club events.

3. Junior Programming

• Support the head tennis pro in planning and managing the junior tennis instructional and competition programs.
• Design and grow a robust junior program for all paddle and pickle ball, emphasizing skill development, sportsmanship, and fun.
• Offer paddle and pickle ball summer camps, after-school programs, and tournaments/competition opportunities tailored to different age groups and skill levels.
• Foster talent by identifying and nurturing competitive junior players who wish to play at advanced levels.

4. Instruction & Coaching Excellence (leading for paddle and pickleball, supporting tennis pro for tennis)

• Deliver high-quality group and private instruction for players of all ages and skill levels, with an emphasis on tailoring lessons to individual goals.
• Maintain a consistent presence at the club to observe play, provide pointers, and play in at times when members need a court filled.
• Watch league paddle play as often as possible and provide post-match feedback to members on areas of improvement.
• Evaluate player skill levels and place on league teams accordingly.
• Run video analysis sessions for advanced players to refine technique and improve performance.
• Host "pro-am" events or exhibitions where members can play with and learn from professionals.

5. Operations & Administration

• Ensure all racquet sports facilities are well-maintained and outfitted with high-quality equipment to meet member expectations.

· Oversee maintenance of all courts and facilities in conjunction with Clubhouse Superintendent. Snow removal at Paddle Court facility will be responsibility of Golf Course Maintenance. Paddle Hut maintenance to be the responsibility of the Clubhouse Superintendent, and all interior daily cleaning to be responsibility of the Paddle Hut F & B staff.

• Oversee court scheduling and implement systems to manage demand, including reservations, waitlists, and policies that ensure equitable access.
• Manage the department budget effectively, balancing programming needs, staffing, and operational costs.
• Coordinate the purchase of equipment, balls, and supplies for each racquet sport, ensuring quality and availability.

6. Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, and lead a team of racquets professionals who deliver exceptional instruction and member service.
• Develop performance benchmarks and provide ongoing feedback and training to help staff grow in their roles.
• Foster a positive and collaborative culture among the team, emphasizing excellence and member-focused service.

· Represent BCC paddle and pickleball tournaments and league events.

· Monitor all day-to-day activities across all racquet sports.

7. Merchandising:

· Provide an assortment of tennis, paddle, and pickleball equipment and balls in the pro shop.

· Maintain up to date accounts with most major tennis, paddle, and pickleball vendors.

· Provides services to allow members the opportunity to purchase from vendors and lines that are not available in the shop.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in managing racquet sports programs across tennis, paddle, and pickleball.
• Strong instructional background with a passion for coaching players of all ages, particularly juniors.
• Demonstrated success in building and growing member engagement through creative programming.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proactive, energetic, and committed to creating an exceptional member experience.

Accomplishments and Certifications:

· USTPA Professional

· USTPA Certified

· APTA or PPTA Certified

· PPR or IPTPA Certified

· Teaching Professional / Etiquette Coach

· Accomplished Player

What We Offer:

• Competitive base salary range of $70-80K.
• Lesson and clinic revenue for pickleball and paddle programs.
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, STD and LTD and Life insurance with 401K retirement plan as described in employee handbook.
• A supportive environment to develop and lead innovative racquet sports programs.
• State-of-the-art facilities, including newly constructed pickleball courts.
• A close-knit community of engaged members excited about racquet sports.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Scott Azinger, General Manager at scott@butterfieldcc.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Oak Brook, IL 60523 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Oak Brook, IL 60523: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000