CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OPPORTUNITY AT VENICE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Venice Golf and Country Club seeks a financial leader of unquestionable integrity to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer and as a true strategic partner to the General Manager/COO. Overseeing the finances of a member-owned club with approximately $8.85 million in gross annual volume, the CFO will bring structure, clear deadlines, and well-utilized technology to a finance function that currently relies heavily on manual processes. Equally important, the Club seeks a teacher and mentor: an approachable, open-door leader who takes the time to learn the operation, explains financials in plain language to non-finance colleagues, and treats confidentiality as a core value. With retirements anticipated within the department, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to assess the finance team's needs and build a high-performing team of their own. This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on finance professional with hospitality DNA who wants to be a visible, trusted resource to the Board, the Leadership Team, and the membership.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - POSITION OVERVIEW
The Club seeks a strategic partner to the GM/COO and an exceptional communicator who can translate finance for non-finance individuals without condescension. The CFO will be in the Boardroom monthly and must present with command of the data, answering questions in the moment rather than defaulting to “I don’t know.” Discretion and confidentiality are non-negotiable: the CFO handles sensitive member, employee, and Club information and is expected to model professionalism at all times.
Culturally, VGCC wants a leader who is visible, responsive, and welcoming, with an open-door approach. The ideal candidate is a teacher and mentor who supports the team, is flexible, inclusive, and empathetic, sets clear standards and deadlines, and never responds with “that’s not my job.” This is a hands-on role in a small department: the CFO will roll up their sleeves, learn the operation from the inside, and lead by example.
The Club’s accounting and point-of-sale systems run on JONAS today, with a planned move to Northstar in 2027. The CFO will lead that transition and, more broadly, drive the Club’s shift from manual, spreadsheet-dependent processes toward fully utilized technology, including a properly configured POS for the food and beverage operation.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Operations
- Develop a working knowledge of each department’s operations, staffing, service standards, revenue sources, and principal expenses by spending time in each department and collaborating with the team.
- Partner with the GM/COO and department heads to evaluate the financial impact of operating decisions, proposed programs, staffing changes, and service enhancements.
- Meet regularly with department heads to review financial results, explain budget variances, identify underlying causes, and establish corrective actions.
- Establish meaningful departmental performance measures in collaboration with the GM/COO and department heads, and monitor results against agreed expectations.
- Follow up on agreed actions and keep the GM/COO informed of significant concerns, progress, and unresolved issues.
- Bring structure to the finance function by establishing clear processes, deadlines, and expectations, replacing manual and confusing workflows with documented, repeatable procedures.
- Partner with the Food and Beverage team to fully configure and use the point-of-sale system to support accurate revenue capture, inventory control, and reporting.
Capital Expenditures
- Develop and execute long-term financial strategies aligned with the club’s strategic goals, supporting major capital projects and renovations.
- Oversee capital budget planning, allocation, and management, monitoring expenditures and ensuring projects stay on budget.
- Identify and mitigate financial risks for capital projects while ensuring compliance with regulations and policies.
- Communicate capital strategies to the membership across a variety of forums with command and confidence in the data, arriving prepared to answer questions in the moment and minimizing “I’ll get back to you” responses.
Leadership
- Actively participate in Finance Committee meetings, respectfully present and defend data-driven recommendations, and consider feedback.
- Build a working relationship with the Club Treasurer and actively participate in Finance Committee meetings by respectfully presenting and defending data-driven recommendations while considering feedback.
- Deliver monthly financial updates and forecasts to the Leadership Team, Club Treasurer, and the Board of Directors, compare performance against targets, arrive fully prepared, and field questions in the moment.
- Enhance the member experience by improving all aspects of financial interactions, including billing and charges.
- Explain financial information to department heads, Board members, and members in plain, respectful language so every stakeholder understands how the numbers relate to operations.
Tax, Benefits, Budgets, Reporting
- Direct all accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, member billing, payroll, general ledger, account reconciliations, reserve account activity, and golf shop inventory accounting.
- Ensure accurate, timely monthly and annual financial statements, delivered on a firm calendar of month-end, Board, and committee deadlines, and supported by clear explanations of operating results and significant variances.
- Manage cash flow, liquidity, reserves, and working capital to meet operating and capital requirements.
- Maintain effective internal controls, approval procedures, and safeguards over Club funds and assets.
- Oversee member account collections in accordance with Club policies and coordinate significant collection matters with the GM/COO.
- Prepare fully for the annual audit, provide complete, well-organized support to outside auditors, and promptly resolve any findings.
- Remain current on the federal, state, and local laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements affecting a 501(c)(7) club, and ensure ongoing compliance.
IT Infrastructure and Risks
- Oversee the Club's IT systems and serve as the Club’s point of contact with IT and software vendors, holding them accountable for service levels.
- Coordinate system maintenance, upgrades, user access controls, cybersecurity measures, data backups, and recovery planning with appropriate providers.
- Recommend technology investments based on operational value, cost, reliability, and risk.
- Lead the planned 2027 conversion from JONAS to Northstar, including project planning, vendor coordination, data integrity, staff training, and change management.
Staff development
- Supervise, train, and mentor the Club’s accounting staff, providing guidance and developing their capabilities rather than simply directing tasks.
- Establish clear responsibilities, deadlines, and standards for accuracy, responsiveness, and confidentiality.
- Maintain appropriate separation of duties and review procedures within the accounting team.
- Evaluate the accounting department's needs, scope, and size, and recommend a staffing structure to the GM/COO.
- With retirements anticipated within the department, provide cross-training and documented procedures, plan for knowledge transfer and succession, and build a high-performing team of the CFO’s own design.
Legal Affairs and Contract Management
- Thoroughly review and understand all contracts and leases, including equipment leases and lease buyouts; determine Right-of-Use capital treatment; and advise the GM/COO on terms, risks, and obligations.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with banks, insurers, and contractual partners while effectively managing risk and insurance matters.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of progressive financial experience with a strong team orientation and ability to meet deadlines.
- Possesses “executive presence” with excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Experience reviewing contracts, negotiating, and collaborating with outside counsel.
- Proficient in current technology, software programs, 401K administration, and defined benefit retirement plans.
- Direct experience working with boards and committees.
- Experience managing significant capital projects and reserve funding programs.
- “Hospitality DNA”: an innate service orientation and a genuine appreciation for the nuances of a member-owned club environment. Prior private club experience is helpful but not required; candidates from related industries who bring that service mindset are encouraged to apply.
- A teacher and mentor by nature with an approachable, welcoming presence and a track record of developing supportive, high-performing finance teams.
- Demonstrated success improving processes, reducing manual work, and implementing or converting accounting and point-of-sale systems.
- Unquestionable integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Hands-on, analytical, and organized, with the flexibility to roll up their sleeves in a small department.
EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field with at least five years of relevant experience or equivalent education and training.
- MBA, CPA, and/or CHAE certification is a plus; HFTP membership is encouraged.
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