CLUB MANAGER JOB SURVEY 2008 Page 1 of 12
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CMAE has been through a tremendous period of growth in the past two years, and we have welcomed into our family a network of national club managers associations, each of whom has a deep and detailed awareness of the club business in their country. However, we have discovered that each of these national bodies would like to know the state of the business in their country in relation to their European neighbours. Salary levels, benefits packages, roles, responsibilities and job titles are just a few areas that are discussed informally, but there is a need for a thorough and detailed pan-european survey to answer these questions. This is the first survey of its kind across Europe and while we cannot pretend this initial survey has answered all of the questions, we believe this is a start, and our challenge now will be to work with our European partners on a more comprehensive survey in 2009. The key findings of this first, pan-european survey are: Contrary to popular myth, only 19% of respondents are aged 51 or over, with the majority (69%) aged between 31 and 50. 22% of respondents are earning gross salaries over 100,000 a year, proving that the incentives are there for the top individuals in the industry. Club managers generally feel that the job title they have frequently falls short of the role that they actually fulfil for their clubs for example, while only 5% of club managers enjoy the title of Chief Executive Officer, 20% of them feel that this title more accurately reflects their true role. Further research into the role of the club management professional will be our task in 2009 and we hope that as a result, employers and managers will be able to benefit from a greater understanding of the complex role of a club manager in 21 st Century Europe. Sincerely, Jerry Kilby Jerry Kilby Chief Executive Officer Page 2 of 12
SECTION ONE INTRODUCTION The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) is a non-profit making professional association with members involved in the management of sports clubs (golf, tennis, sailing, rowing, rugby, football and cricket), health & fitness clubs, leisure, city and dining clubs located throughout Europe. The CMAE is also the pan-european unifying organisation for a variety of national professional associations for club managers and secretaries. National associations can affiliate to the CMAE, thereby giving their membership access to the CMAE education programme and other CMAE international activities and events. The CMAE would like to thank all those club managers who took the time to complete the survey, as well as the following organisations for their help and support in creating this report: CMAA European Chapter Irish Association of Golf Club Secretaries Swedish Golf Management Association Finnish Golf Managers Association European Golf Course Owners Association Private Clubs Alliance of Russia Club Managers Spain Norwegian Golf Administrators Federation Belgian Association of Golf Club Secretaries Associacao dos Gestores de Golf de Portugal Golf Club Managers Association of UAE Golf Managers Verband Deutschland Association Italia de Technici de Golf We would also like to thank KPMG for allowing us to reference their recently published economic impact report. This document presents the key findings of the Club Manager Job Survey 2008 conducted by the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) in conjunction with its affiliate partners. A total of 173 CMAE members from 18 different countries in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMA) region participated by completing the survey which was placed on the CMAE website (www.cmaeurope.org) or by clicking on a survey link that was sent directly to them either by the CMAE or one of its affiliate partners. Page 3 of 12
SECTION TWO PERSONAL PROFILE OF EUROPEAN CLUB MANAGERS Gender of European Club Managers The vast majority of responses to the Club Manager Job Survey 2008 were from males, representing 92% of participants, with just 8% of responses from females, indicating that club management in Europe is a male dominated profession. It is noticeable, however, that Sweden has a much higher percentage of women in club management, with approximately 45% female managers. Countries in which European Club Managers Currently Work The geographical location of participants of the survey was varied with responses being received from 18 different countries throughout Europe and the Middle East, as detailed in Table 1 below, indicating that the CMAE is a truly Europe-wide association. Table 1 Countries in which European Club Managers Currently Work Albania England Germany Italy Russia Sweden Austria Finland Iceland Northern Ireland Scotland United Arab Emirates Belgium France Ireland Portugal Spain Wales Age of European Club Managers The survey illustrates that 47% of European club managers are aged under 40 years old, while a further 34% are aged between 41 and 50 years old. Currently, 19% of European club managers are 51 or older, as shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1: Age of European Club Managers Page 4 of 12
General Educational Qualifications held by European Club Managers When asked about the general education qualifications that they hold, 60% of respondents stated that they are educated to university level or higher which includes a degree from a university, college or academic institution, or that they hold a doctorate or MBA, indicating that overall European club managers are well educated. In addition, just under a third (32%) hold a professional qualification. Figure 2: General Education Qualifications Held by European Club Managers Club-Specific Education Qualifications held by European Club Managers With regard to additional education qualifications, just less than a third (32%) of responses were from European club managers who hold a golf or sports related degree, while 19% hold a hospitality or hotel management degree. As shown in Figure 3 below, just over a quarter (28%) of participants do not hold any of the below mentioned qualifications, indicating that there is perhaps a need for the promotion of the benefits of club-specific qualifications. Figure 3: Club-Specific Education Qualifications Held by European Club Managers Page 5 of 12
SECTION THREE JOBS OF EUROPEAN CLUB MANAGERS Period that European Club Managers have worked in Club Management Today s European club managers are highly experienced, as can be seen from Figure 4 below, which indicates that 38% of respondents have 10 years or more experience working in clubs, with a further 20% having worked in club management for between five and 10 years. Figure 4: Period that European Club Managers have worked in Club Management Job Titles held by European Club Managers The most common job titles that European club managers fulfill include Club Managers (32%), General Managers (25%), Club Secretaries (11%) and Managing Directors (7%), with other roles including Chief Executive Officers, Heads of Department, Consultants, Directors of Golf, Financial Controllers, Reservations Managers and Hospitality Directors, showing that the CMAE welcomes individuals from each department within a club. Figure 5: Job titles of European Club Managers vs. the title they feel best represents the job they actually fulfill Page 6 of 12
Job Titles that European Club Managers feel best represents the job they actually fulfill As can been seen from Figure 5 above, although only a quarter (25%) of European club managers hold the title of General Manager, 36% feel that the job title of General Manager more appropriately describes the job role that they actually fulfill. Similarly, while only 5% of survey participants hold the title of Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer, 20% feel that this job title is a more accurate description of their role than their actual title. However, in contrast, 32% of responses were received from individuals with the title of Club Manager, although only 16% felt that this title was representative of the job they undertake, which indicates that there is perhaps a need for job titles to be assessed in relation to job descriptions. Employment Status of European Club Managers The vast majority (94%) of respondents hold full-time positions, with only 4% being employed on a part-time basis. A further 1% are self-employed or freelance, while 1% are honorary full-time employees. Page 7 of 12
SECTION FOUR CLUBS WHERE EUROPEAN CLUB MANAGERS WORK Type of Clubs where European Club Managers Work Members of the CMAE are involved in the management of many different types of sports and social clubs throughout Europe (KPMG 2008, p.2), with the most common among the respondents of the survey being golf clubs or golf and country clubs (73%), as shown in Figure 6 below. City clubs are also prevalent (11%), as are sports and social clubs (7%). Others include tennis, sailing, health and fitness, and equestrian clubs. Figure 6: Type of Club where European Club Managers Work Ownership of Clubs where European Club Managers Work The ownership of these clubs varies, with the most popular being member-owned equity clubs (61%), including both exclusive private members clubs (19%) where no visitors are permitted other than members guests, and private members clubs (42%) which welcome visitors. Other forms of club ownership include corporately owned non-equity clubs (18%) where visitors are welcome, and hotels or resort clubs (14%). Only 1% of clubs are exclusive corporately owned members clubs where no visitors are permitted. Number of Golf Holes at Clubs with Golf Facilities The EMA region has an estimated 8,500 golf facilities, generating 18.5 billion in revenue (KPMG 2008, p.9) and of the 73% of participants that have golf facilities at their club, just over half (53%) manage 18 holes of golf, while 36% are responsible for between 19 and 45 holes. As detailed in Figure 7 below, the remaining responses came from those who manage 9 holes (9 percent) and 46 holes or more (2%). Figure 7: Number of Golf Holes at Clubs with Golf Facilities Page 8 of 12
Future Expansion and Enlargement of Clubs In 2006, more than 160 18-hole equivalent golf courses and close to 100 major golf course expansion projects were underway in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, approximately 35-40% of existing golf facilities invested in renovation or improvement of their facilities (KPMG 2008, p.10). When asked, 48% of European clubs stated that they are presently considering future expansion or enlargement, which is encouraging given the current economic climate. Budget for Staff Training and Development Just over three-quarters (76%) of European club managers reported that their clubs are supportive of management training and development and that they have a budget for this. Sadly, however, 9% of clubs do not see the need for training, and the importance of this is therefore something which perhaps needs to be promoted. Trends in Club Training Budgets It is encouraging to see that, despite the current economic climate, just over a quarter (26%) of clubs are looking to increase their training budget in 2009, while 68% are aiming to maintain their training budget at its current level. Only 6% of European club managers said that they foresee their training budgets reducing in the immediate future. Page 9 of 12
SECTION FIVE COMPENSATION OF EUROPEAN CLUB MANAGERS Gross Annual Salary of European Club Managers As can be seen from Figure 8 below, just over two-thirds (67%) of European club managers earn up to 70,000 per year, while just over a quarter (27%) earn between 70,000 and 120,000 per year. The remaining 6% earn in excess of 120,000 per year. The reader must be reminded that the respondents to this survey fulfill a wide range of roles and responsibilities at their clubs (see Section Three), so these salaries do not apply just to the most senior management employee at a club, but also to heads of department or middle and junior management positions. It would be reasonable to say that the majority of those in the junior and middle management positions would fit into the lower two brackets below, while the most senior club manager will be in the higher salary brackets. With 22% of respondents earning a six-figure sum (in Euros), it would be fair to say that the club industry offers the appropriate incentives for the very best individuals. Figure 8: Gross Annual Salary of European Club Managers Additional Benefits received by European Club Managers In addition to their gross annual salary, European club managers receive a wide range of benefits, both personal and work related. Personal benefits include company private health insurance for them and their family (28%), company pension scheme (39%), complimentary membership of club (40%) and a company car (18%). Work related benefits include reimbursement of the costs of visiting exhibitions (60%) and attending education programmes (51%), as well as membership of their national managers association (44%) and CMAE membership (36%). Other benefits (21%) include accommodation, meals, mobile phone costs, clothing allowance, travel allowance, laundry/dry cleaning, gratuity, bonus, life assurance and flights to their home country, many of which are applicable to expatriates. European Club Managers Satisfaction Level of Compensation Package Received When European club managers were asked about their level of satisfaction with the compensation package they receive, the responses were fairly evenly split with 48% feeling that they are rewarded appropriately for the job they do, while 48% think that they should be better rewarded. Only 4% think that they are definitely not compensated sufficiently. Page 10 of 12
SECTION SIX SPORTS/PASTIMES ENJOYED BY EUROPEAN CLUB MANAGERS Sports/Pastimes Enjoyed by European Club Managers Among the sports and pastimes enjoyed by European club managers, golf is the most popular with 82% of respondents participating. Just under a quarter (24%) play tennis, while others enjoy running/jogging (16%) and sailing (11%). Other pastimes (29%) include football, cycling, swimming, walking, rugby, skiing, cooking and travelling. Sadly, 7% of respondents stated that they do not participate in any sports or pastimes, perhaps indicating that the work-life balance of some European club managers needs to be addressed. Page 11 of 12
SECTION SEVEN CONCLUSION Overall, the CMAE Club Manager Job Survey 2008 revealed that the average European club manager is most likely to be male, aged 41-60 years old, who enjoys playing golf and is in full-time employment earning approximately 70,000 per year, which he may or may not be satisfied with. He may also receive additional benefits such as company private health insurance for himself and his family, company pension scheme, and reimbursement of the costs of visiting exhibitions and attending education programmes, as well as membership of the CMAE and his national managers association. Today s European club managers are highly experienced with the majority having five years or more experience of working in clubs, in the most common positions of Club Managers, General Managers and Club Secretaries, although many feel that their job title does not reflect the job role that they actually undertake. In addition, a European club manager tends to be educated to university level or higher, holding a degree from a university, college or academic institution, or a doctorate or MBA. He may also hold a golf or sports related degree and/or a hospitality or hotel management degree. The most common type of club for a European club manager to work in is a member-owned (equity) golf club or golf and country club, which is likely to welcome visitors. Of these golf clubs, the vast majority have 18 holes or more. Overall, most European club managers are supportive of management training and development and have a budget for this, which they are aiming to either maintain or increase in 2009. Positively, despite the current economic climate, almost half of European clubs are currently considering future expansion or enlargement. The CMAE will be working with our partners throughout Europe in 2009 to conduct a more comprehensive and detailed study into the club management industry. We will be in discussion with the recruitment industry and employers to find the most efficient way of gathering accurate and up-to-date information and will be presenting the findings at the European Symposium at BMI International, Stockholm on October 20 th 2009. October 2008 Reference: KPMG ADVISORY LTD, 2008. The Value of Golf to Europe, Middle East and Africa; A Study on the Golf Economy. Hungary: KPMG Golf Advisory Practice in EMA. Club Managers Association of Europe, Elmwood College International Office, 12 The Links, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JB Scotland Tel: +44 1334 460 850 ~ Fax: +44 1334 460859 www.cmaeurope.org Page 12 of 12