Job Posting – Executive Director, United States Golf Association (USGA)


About the USGA 

The USGA is dedicated to promoting and conserving the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf.

Founded on December 22, 1894 by representatives of five American golf clubs, the USGA was originally charged with conducting national championships, implementing a uniform code of rules, and maintaining a national system of handicapping.

Today, the USGA comprises more than 9,000 Member clubs and courses and more than 800,000 individual Members and its core mission remains unchanged. Each year, the USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, including the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur; biennial competitions include State Team Championships for men and women, the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup and World Amateur Team Championships. More than 30,000 golfers representing more than 80 countries submit entries to play in USGA championships each year.

In cooperation with The R&A, the USGA writes and interprets the Rules of Golf, and oversees the standards regulating the equipment used to play the game. The Association maintains course rating and handicapping systems that are used on six continents in more than 50 countries, and also provides handicap computation services to more than 70 national, regional and state golf associations through the Golf Handicap and Information Network. More than 2 million golfers carry a USGA GHIN handicap card.

Additional responsibilities assumed by the Association encompass turfgrass and environmental research conducted by the USGA Green Section, a global leader in the support and development of sustainable golf course management practices since 1920; oversight of the Rules of Amateur Status; and preservation and promotion of the game’s rich history in the USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History, which houses the world’s largest and most complete golf library. Since 1965, the USGA has supported philanthropic activities dedicated to maintaining and improving the opportunities for all individuals to participate fully in the game.

The Association has an annual operating budget of $150 million, cash reserves of approximately $225 million, approximately 300 full- and part-time staff members, and 1,400 volunteers who serve on more than 30 committees.

The Executive Committee is the governing body of the USGA; it sets operational, fiscal and personnel policies. The Executive Committee comprises 15 members, appointed by the USGA Nominating Committee and elected by the USGA’s membership for one-year terms.

 

Responsibilities of the Executive Director 

The Executive Director is the senior staff member of the USGA, responsible for managing all aspects of the Association’s day-to-day operations. In this role, the Executive Director oversees the core functions, essential programs, and human and financial resources of the Association to further its stated mission. The Executive Director reports to the President/CEO of the USGA.

Working together with the President and Executive Committee, the Executive Director provides overall strategic guidance for the Association. The Executive Director is expected to shape and communicate a vision for the Association that emphasizes its current strengths and core functions that contribute to the vitality of the game. This effort will ensure that the Association remains a leader in the game both nationally and internationally.

With the President, the Executive Director is the lead spokesperson for the Association with internal stakeholders and external constituencies, and is expected to embody the best qualities of the Association and the game. The Executive Director represents the Association’s interests within the golf community, with courses and clubs, state and regional golf associations, the media and with national and international golf organizations.

Specified responsibilities of the Executive Director include but are not limited to:

  • Manage the senior staff to set overall direction for the USGA as well as day-to-day operations of the USGA staff.
  • Work with the USGA President and Executive Committee to provide strategic direction for the Association.
  • Direct preparation of annual operating plan, to include annual budget, for presentation to the Executive Committee.
  • Oversee the professional development of the USGA staff, to include securing the human resources necessary to achieve the Association’s goals.
  • Report on Association activities at meetings of the Executive Committee.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with state, regional, national and international golf associations and other allied organizations.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with the leadership of equipment manufacturers, and together with the Senior Technical Director serve as the Association’s primary spokespersons on all equipment-related issues.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with executives of the USGA’s corporate partners.
  • Represent the USGA at important golf events and industry meetings.
  • Represent the USGA as the joint secretary of the International Golf Federation.
  • Represent the USGA in all matters relating to the IOC, USOC and Olympic golf.

Reporting Relationships
The Executive Director will manage members of the senior staff and report to the President/CEO of the USGA.

Professional Characteristics and Qualifications
Individuals qualified to apply for this position must demonstrate and possess proven unquestioned integrity, outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, strong administrative abilities, high energy, common sense and a personal style that promotes trust and respect. Moreover, candidates for the position must be visionary, open-minded, approachable, experienced working with boards, collaborative with senior management and enthusiastic about the Association and the game. The ideal candidate must be able to communicate skillfully and articulately within the Association and within the broader golf community.

Leading candidates for the position of Executive Director must have a strong record of accomplishment and significant executive or senior management experience in golf administration.

Required qualifications include:

  • Significant experience as a senior level administrator in a golf organization, with oversight responsibilities of financial, human and physical resources.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including experience in planning and managing short- and long-term initiatives and objectives.
  • Visibility and credibility within the international golf community, including strong relationships with golf media outlets (traditional and digital).
  • Understanding of current issues and trends in golf and sports administration.
  • Evidence of working with volunteers and volunteer committees to effectively harness their skills and abilities to promote and support the Association.
  • Passion for the game of golf, which encompasses the ability to understand the distinct characteristics and traditions of the game of golf and a commitment to preserve those characteristics that have intrinsic value to the Association.

Summary 

The ideal candidate must be ready, willing and able to work with the President/CEO and the Executive Committee to develop and implement a strategic plan that will carry the USGA successfully through the next two decades, keeping the Association well-financed, fiscally sound and relevant in an ever-changing and increasingly international sport. Working together, the USGA’s leadership must maintain the highest standards of excellence in all aspects of the Association’s mission, anticipating and implementing new organizational programs so that the USGA remains competitive and responsive to change.  

Starting Date – Negotiable 

Salary – Commensurate with skills and experience.

To Apply 

Confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals and applications (including résumés and letters of interest responding to the objectives of the position outlined above) should be sent in confidence to:

Jim Hyler, President
c/o Ashleigh Haas, Administrative Assistant
5151 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27612

E-mail: ahaas@usga.org
Phone contact: 919-881-5279

Nominations, referrals and applications are due by February 4, 2011. Review of nominations and applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The USGA is an equal opportunity employer.

Posted on January 7, 2011