Athenaeum General Manager

California-Institute-of-Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 193,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

The Athenaeum General Manager at Caltech leads a private membership club serving faculty, students, staff and community members. This role directs operations across hotel, dining, events, and membership while shaping long-term strategy and donor relations.

You will manage budgets, revenues, cost controls, marketing, staff development, and governance collaborations, ensuring exceptional member experiences and alignment with Caltech’s mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, or related field; or equivalent years of relevant work experience.
• 10+ years of hospitality leadership experience.
• Established experience in a private club, luxury hotel, resort, or historic property with oversight of multi-department operations.
• Proven success overseeing hotel and private club financials including operating and capital budgets, member dues models, food, beverage, and events performance, and other related KPIs.
• Proven experience working with Boards, Trustees, or governance committees, including regular reporting and strategic collaboration.
• Track record of strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
• Experience leading high-touch service environments focused on exceptional member and guest experiences.
• Demonstrated success leading digital marketing, social media, and brand repositioning initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and broad direction to all departments within The Athenaeum.
• Oversee budgeting, revenues, and cost controls; drive financial performance.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Boards, Trustees, and governance committees; report on policy and performance.
• Lead marketing, communications, and member relations programs to attract and engage members.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations; coordinate licensing and certifications; support campus goals.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget planning

Fundraising

Marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree in hospitality management

Master's degree in Hospitality Management

Job description

The Athenaeum General Manager serves as the leader and visionary for Caltech’s private membership club for faculty, students, staff and community members. This individual directs and provides strategic oversight and leadership to overall club operations and various departments within The Athenaeum. The General Manager is accountable for the club’s budget planning, revenues and cost controls, marketing, staff training and development, and fundraising. Most importantly, the General Manager ensures that every member’s experience reflects the Athenaeum's tradition of excellence and its role in fostering connection across the Caltech community.

Leadership and Administrative Accountability:

• Provide strategic leadership and broad direction to all departments within The Athenaeum, including fiscal operations, hotel operations, membership and marketing, food and beverage, culinary, purchasing, and private and club events.
• Oversee the planning, development, formulation, and implementation of specific operational policies, programs, procedures, communications strategies, and business plans.
• Establish, implement, communicate, and reinforce the overall philosophy, mission, and vision of the club as these relate to Institute goals and as established by the Board of Governors, House Committee, and the Vice President for Administration and Chief Operating Officer.
• Ensure the delivery of the highest quality products, services, programs, and support to all members and their guests, and to campus divisions and departments.
• Collaborate and work in partnership with the various Committees (Board of Governors, House, Membership, Food, Finance, Design Review, Wine, and the Athenaeum Architectural Preservation Fund) to communicate the current financial or operational state of the club; provide information, advice, and recommendations on policy revisions or creation. Work with ad hoc committees when these are created by the Board of Governors or the House Committee.
• Consistently assure that the club is operated in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws through regular renewals of pertinent business licenses, permits, and certifications.
• Provide broad direction for high-profile events with significant visibility and impact on the reputation of the Institute (i.e., trustee events, social media functions, etc.).
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships, alliances, and open communications with the entire Caltech community.

Fiscal:

• Formulate annual operating and capital budgets and business plans; work closely with the management team to create these budgets.
• Continuously evaluate existing sources of revenues and identify and develop new revenue streams from current services and amenities to ensure operational integrity and continuity of the organization.
• Oversee and review management reports and financial statements with special attention to revenue generation and cost containment; execute corrective action when revenue streams decrease and/or when costs escalated disproportionally with income.
• Collaborate with the club’s senior team to establish and monitor appropriate controls and safeguards that have been put into place to protect the inflow of cash payments and revenues.

Human Resources:

• Make key decisions on hiring and terminations, promotions, salary changes, training and development, goal setting, and performance evaluations and assessments.
• Cultivate a positive and productive workplace through communication, vision, teamwork, and commitment.
• Advance, develop, and improve human resource assets through staff education and training, coaching and counseling of staff as necessary.

Facility Management / Infrastructure:

• Oversee the care and maintenance of the club’s physical assets and facilities; review and provide overall direction and recommendations to the Design Review and House Committees on major construction, renovation/refurbishment, and maintenance projects regarding interior design, materials, supplies, equipment, and services.
• Create and monitor renovation and construction budgets to ensure that any decisions made are within the project’s finances and resources.

Marketing/Communications:

• Act as the primary communicator for all information, written or oral, to club members and staff.
• Oversee member relations programs that promote The Athenaeum’s services and facilities to current members; build and shape campaign and outreach programs to potential members; provide vision and guidance to the management team in establishing and initiating events that will attract the participation of all member segments.
• Oversee the development and implementation of an effective communication and marketing strategy through existing social media platforms. Provide oversight for the concept design and production of communication/collateral materials that shape The Athenaeum’s image among members, prospects, and the community at large.
• Direct the development and maintenance of The Athenaeum’s website. Oversee regular email blasts and the publication of the monthly newsletter.
• Maintain membership within the Club Management Association of America and other professional associations as appropriate; attend conferences, workshops, and meetings to keep abreast of current market trends in the club industry.
• Expand The Athenaeum Architectural Preservation Fund (AAPF) into a robust sum that will finance the club’s capital and maintenance projects and guarantee the vibrancy and life of the club’s facilities, fixtures, equipment, and collection of artwork.
• Work with Advancement to develop, establish, and implement a strategic plan in attracting and involving current and prospective donors to the AAPF.

Community Outreach:

• Participate in outside activities/events to enhance the prestige of the club and broaden the scope of the club’s operations by fulfilling the public obligations of the club as a participating member of the community.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, or related field; or equivalent years of relevant work experience.
• 10+ years of hospitality leadership experience.
• Established experience in a private club, luxury hotel, resort, or historic property with oversight of multi-department operations.
• Proven success overseeing hotel and private club financials including operating and capital budgets, member dues models, food, beverage, and events performance, and other related KPIs.
• Proven experience working with Boards, Trustees, or governance committees, including regular reporting and strategic collaboration.
• Track record of strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
• Experience leading high-touch service environments focused on exceptional member and guest experiences.
• Demonstrated success leading digital marketing, social media, and brand repositioning initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or related field.
• Experience in higher education.
• Experience managing a historic hotel, luxury membership club, or heritage property with preservation considerations.
• Certified Club Manager (CCM), Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), Certified Hospitality Professional (CHP), or other relevant professional credentials.
• Active involvement in professional associations such as CMAA or AHLA.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$193,000 - $225,000 per year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks .

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .