Padel Club General Manager

Lakeshore Sport and Fitness; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Union Padel Club is seeking an energetic, hospitality-driven Club General Manager to lead the club and bring its vision to life. This hands-on leadership role will be on the floor, welcoming members, supporting the team, hosting events, and building a culture of belonging.

You will oversee operations, member experience, programming, and business performance, while collaborating with ownership and department leads to create a thriving, high-performing club.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in hospitality and service environments.
• Strong customer focus and people skills.
• Proven ability to manage programs and events.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day club operations and member experience.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team with a hospitality mindset.
• Plan and execute programming, leagues, events, and community initiatives.
• Manage budget, oversee facilities, and drive profitability.
• Engage with members and partners to enhance the club's culture and growth.

Job description

Club General Manager | Union Padel Club

Build a Club. Build a Community. Build Something New.

At Union Padel Club, we're building more than a place to play. We're creating a destination where people come to compete, connect, socialize, and belong.

We're looking for an energetic, hospitality-driven Club General Manager to lead the club and help bring that vision to life. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role for someone who loves people, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and believes great businesses are built one relationship at a time.

You won't be leading from behind a desk. You'll be on the floor—welcoming members, supporting your team, creating memorable experiences, hosting events, solving problems, and building the culture that makes Union feel like a place people want to spend their time.

If you're an entrepreneurial leader who loves hospitality, community, sports, and creating something from the ground up, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As Club General Manager, you'll have overall responsibility for the club's day-to-day operations, member experience, team leadership, programming, and business performance.

You'll lead with a hospitality-first mindset while working closely with ownership and department leaders to build a thriving, high-performing club.

Create an Exceptional Member Experience

• Build a warm, welcoming, and hospitality-driven club culture.
• Develop genuine relationships with members and guests.
• Be highly visible and engaged throughout the club.
• Know members by name and understand what keeps them coming back.
• Ensure every interaction reflects Union's standards and values.
• Respond to member feedback and concerns with empathy, professionalism, and urgency.
• Continuously identify ways to make the member experience better.

Lead Club Operations

• Oversee the daily operation of the club and ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Maintain high standards for facilities, cleanliness, safety, presentation, and service.
• Partner with department leaders to create a seamless experience across the club.
• Establish and maintain operating standards, processes, and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service, and profitability.
• Take ownership of issues and ensure they are resolved quickly and effectively.

Grow the Business

• Drive membership growth, engagement, and retention.
• Partner with sales and marketing teams to support membership initiatives.
• Build relationships with local businesses, organizations, and community partners.
• Represent Union Padel Club within the local community.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and strengthen the overall business.
• Help establish Union as the premier destination for padel, hospitality, and social connection.

Bring the Club to Life Through Programming & Events

• Develop and support leagues, tournaments, clinics, social events, and community programming.
• Create a calendar of experiences that gives members reasons to visit the club beyond playing padel.
• Partner with the food & beverage team to create memorable events and activations.
• Encourage new ideas and continuously look for ways to make the club more engaging.
• Build programming that attracts new members while strengthening relationships with existing ones.

Lead, Coach & Develop the Team

• Hire, train, coach, and inspire a high-performing team.
• Create a culture built on accountability, ownership, hospitality, and fun.
• Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for delivering exceptional service.
• Develop team members and create opportunities for growth.
• Recognize strong performance and celebrate team successes.
• Lead by example and set the tone for the club every day.

Own the Business

• Manage the club's budget and financial performance.
• Monitor key performance indicators and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with ownership to establish and achieve business goals.
• Make thoughtful decisions that balance member experience, team culture, and financial performance.
• Understand the numbers and use them to drive better business decisions.
• Take ownership of the club's overall success.

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Loves hospitality and creating memorable experiences.
• Naturally builds relationships and enjoys being around people.
• Is energized by being on the floor rather than sitting in an office.
• Has experience leading teams and developing people.
• Thinks like an entrepreneur and enjoys building something new.
• Balances culture and hospitality with accountability and business discipline.
• Is confident, approachable, organized, and adaptable.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Has experience in hospitality, fitness, private clubs, sports, restaurants, entertainment, or other lifestyle businesses.
• Enjoys sales, networking, community engagement, and relationship building.
• Is comfortable owning both the details and the big picture.
• Leads with energy, positivity, and a genuine desire to help people.
• Bonus: You already play padel—or are excited to learn.

What Success Looks Like

Six months in, you'll know you're succeeding when:

• Members know you by name—and you know theirs.
• The club feels welcoming, energetic, organized, and full of life.
• Members consistently rave about the experience.
• Events, leagues, and programming are thriving.
• The team is engaged, accountable, and excited to come to work.
• Membership continues to grow through outstanding experiences and word of mouth.
• Members are spending more time at the club and bringing friends with them.
• Local businesses and community partners see Union as a valuable part of the neighborhood.
• The club is operating efficiently and performing against its financial goals.
• Union Padel Club is becoming the place people choose to spend their time—not just to play padel, but to connect with others.

Why Union Padel Club?

We're building something special.

This is an opportunity to help shape a club from the beginning and have a meaningful impact on its culture, community, and success.

You'll have the opportunity to build a team, develop programming, create memorable experiences, establish community relationships, and help define what Union Padel Club becomes.

If you love bringing people together, creating exceptional experiences, leading from the front, and building something you're proud of, you'll feel right at home at Union.