Description
DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE OPPORTUNITY AT BIG CANYON COUNTRY CLUB
Big Canyon Country Club is seeking an accomplished, approachable Director of People & Culture to lead the people operation at this luxury club. This role will set and execute the Club’s talent strategy including compliance with California employment laws, employee relations, culture initiatives, talent acquisition, training, leadership development, employee engagement, performance management, compensation, benefits, and succession planning.
Working under a strategic and driven General Manager who is looking to further elevate the overall member and team member experience at Big Canyon Country Club, the Director of People & Culture will be a senior executive and key business partner, charged with creating, enhancing, and executing all talent programs, and will be an integral part of this collaborative, high-performing leadership team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a talented, creative HR professional with a proven ability to think strategically and who loves day-to-day HR responsibilities and personal interactions with employees. This position goes beyond the traditional HR role of simply administering to the operation; we are looking for a business-savvy, relationship-builder who is a driven, innovative, hospitality-infused leader.
ABOUT BIG CANYON COUNTRY CLUB
The quintessential California seaside town of Newport Beach is home to Big Canyon Country Club (Big Canyon or BCCC). The original golf course, designed by Robert Muir Graves, was opened in 1971, and the clubhouse one year later. In 1998, the course underwent a renovation led by John Harbottle III, a disciple of Pete Dye, and a new 19,000 sq. ft. turf center opened in 2019. In 2006, the clubhouse was razed, reopening in 2009 with an extraordinary 70,000 sq. ft. clubhouse complex that includes multiple dining and meeting areas, fitness/wellness and event space, along with beautiful aquatics and racquets spaces. The Club has a strong history of commitment to continuous improvement. The most recent projects include the addition of a Pilates studio, four pickleball courts, a childcare area, and a $4M renovation of the bar and casual dining areas.
Presently, the Club is undergoing one of its most ambitious projects yet: a full-scale golf course renovation led by renowned architect Andrew Green, which began in August 2025 and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026. This transformative effort has had the full backing of the membership and will usher in a new era of championship-level golf at Big Canyon.
Today Big Canyon offers a full slate of member activities and amenities that include golf and golf instruction, family events, a la carte and banquet dining, childcare, Cotillion and summer camp, fitness and group exercise, spa services and hair salon, aquatics including swim team, tennis and pickleball in addition to a car wash and vehicle charging stations. The Club’s comprehensive wine program has become a signature element, and the Club is fortunate to have a talented staff dedicated to the food and beverage amenity, which is tremendously active and supported.
In its 50+ year history, the Club has hosted sixteen state and regional championships, as well as numerous USGA events, including U.S. Open Qualifiers, the 2000 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, and the 2014 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. The 2022 California Amateur was held at Big Canyon as well.
The Club has a long history of commitment to supporting its members and staff experiences, along with a strong organizational chart, necessary HR and Communications support, administration, etc.
The camaraderie among the members, their strong support for the Club, and the dedication of many member volunteers within a vibrant committee system contribute to the exceptional environment at Big Canyon.
BIG CANYON COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS
Approximately 1,015 memberships in various categories with an extensive waiting list.
Initiation fee floats - recent average full membership sale price - $400,000
Annual dues for Full Membership - $23,520
Gross Revenues of approximately $35 Million
Annual Dues Revenue of approximately $18 Million
F&B Volume – approximately $9.4 Million
Gross Payroll – approximately $16 Million; Taxes & Benefits $3.5 Million
Employees: Full-time Annual – 285, Summer - 320
Average age of membership – 64
HR/Payroll System: Paycom
Total employees in HR: 2 (including the DPC)
Non-union
Tax status: 501c7
BIG CANYON COUNTRY CLUB WEBSITE: www.bigcanyoncc.org
DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE – POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of People & Culture at Big Canyon Country Club reports directly to the General Manager and is charged with leading the team that serves its most important assets: its team members. In this role, the Director of People & Culture will work hand in hand with the leadership team to create and connect the Club’s people strategy to the overall Club business strategy to achieve results. With an intuitively engaging and approachable style, the successful candidate will display leadership and professionalism in balancing strategic and administrative responsibilities with the need to be highly visible and interactive with all departments and team members.
The Director of People & Culture currently has one direct report. This role will office out of Big Canyon Country Club and will work an in-person, Monday-Friday schedule, with occasional nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to support the team with HR services and support.
KEY LEADERSHIP TRAITS FOR THE DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
While it goes without saying that a solid, technical Human Resources background is necessary for this role, the following critical skills and traits are required to be effective at our Club. Our successful candidate will:
Proactive with exceptional follow-up
Creative thinker and innovative problem solver
Trendsetter who stays current with emerging HR and talent practices
Visible and engaged throughout the operation
Comfortable navigating conflict and difficult conversations
Approachable, compassionate, empathetic, and people-focused
Self-aware, sound judgement and high integrity
Skilled at balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day HR execution
INITIAL PRIORITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
As an integral part of Big Canyon Country Club’s management team, the following priorities have been identified as primary focus:
CONNECT – Build relationships, listen, observe, meet, and learn about the various departments, staff, and culture. Get to know what makes Big Canyon Country Club special.
ASSESS & EXECUTE – Evaluate current human resources processes and create a strategy and action plan for enhanced people operations moving forward. This will include a focus on:
o RECRUITMENT & RETENTION: Work with the leadership team to create a recruitment and retention strategy to support the re-opening of the newly renovated golf course. Build procedures to enhance the current hiring process to ensure successful selection of top talent in all areas.
o TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: Create a management training and development strategy to develop current and future leaders. Work with department leaders to create a robust orientation and onboarding program, highlighting service excellence and consistency.
o CULTURE: Work with leaders to reinforce desired cultural behaviors associated with the established culture and critical outcomes in all aspects of the operation.
o COMPLIANCE: Work with legal resources to audit and adjust current administrative practices to ensure compliance with all applicable California employment laws.
Requirements
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
Exceptional understanding of all functions of Human Resources and a robust knowledge of applicable federal/local/state laws and HR best practices. Proven experience with California employment law required.
A history of progressive Human Resources management experience within a hospitality industry required, preferably within hotels, clubs, or restaurants industries.
Proven experience with at least five years in a senior HR leadership role.
Ability to translate strategic business objectives into HR initiatives and actions
Ability to work with a high level of confidentiality and professionalism, demonstrating sound judgment.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a hospitality-related field.
SHRM-SCP (CA), SPHR-CA, or other relevant HR certifications preferred.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
In compliance with federal law, all hired employees must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers an excellent health, retirement and benefits package, including perks such as SHRM membership, continuing education, staff meals and golf privileges, and more! Salary Range: $150,000 - $160,000.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
Please upload your resume and cover letter in the order listed using the link below. When prompted for them during the online application process, you should have your documents fully prepared to attach. Please be sure your image is not on your resume or cover letter; it should be used on your LinkedIn Profile.
Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to Mr. Jeremy Samson, General Manager. Clearly articulate your alignment with this role, why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career, and why Big Canyon Country Club and the Newport Beach, CA area will benefit you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.
You must apply for this role as soon as possible but no later than June 15, 2026. Candidate selections will occur mid-June with the first Interviews expected in late June, and the second interviews a short time later. The successful candidate should assume his/her role in late July, 2026.
IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner:
“Last Name, First Name - Resume” &
“Last Name, First Name - Cover Letter – Big Canyon Country Club”
(These documents should be in Word or PDF format)
Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents.
If you have any questions, please email Alice Stevens: alice@kkandw.com
Lead Search Executive:
Jodie J. Cunningham SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Search & Consulting Executive
O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 707
M: (602) 690-1074
jodie@kkandw.com
