Manager of Golf

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The city of Aurora's Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community. 

The award-winning operation consists of seven divisions (Golf, Open Space and Natural Resources, Parks Operations, Planning, Design and Construction, Recreation, Business Services and Communications) that collectively manage more than 8,000 acres of open space, 100+ parks, 180+ athletic fields, over 100 miles of trails, three nature centers, two reservoirs, five recreation centers, five golf courses, indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and one of Colorado's largest municipal urban forestry programs. 

Aurora PROS is committed to delivering exceptional public service while being responsible stewards of its diverse system of parks, programs, natural resources and amenities that enhance the daily quality of life for Aurora residents.

The application deadline is October 25, 2026. The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; once we determine we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

The hiring range for this role is $69,654 - $120,817 annually.

Salary to be commensurate with experience. 

Position overview:

Plans, manages, and administers the city’s golf program, which includes 5 golf courses. This is a managerial role with supervisory responsibilities, as well as a focus on both short-term and long-term operational planning and financial stewardship.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the Golf Division as an enterprise fund supporting five golf courses
• Responsible for hiring, managing, and evaluating five Head Golf Professionals and five Golf Course Superintendents
• Daily activities include reviewing work methods and standards with all work groups, addressing employee and/or citizen issues, short/long term program and operational planning, monitoring financials, approving spending, coordinating flow of purchasing documents, overseeing marketing activities and managing concession contracts
• Manage annual budget process for the Golf Fund involving multiple budgets for courses and administration
• Manage capital spending and coordinate with other divisions/departments on operational issues and projects
• Oversee golf programming, instructional services, and lesson curriculum across all facilities to ensure alignment with professional standards and industry best practices
• Performs other related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in golf course management, business administration, horticulture, or closely related field

Experience:

• At least five years progressively responsible supervisory experience in golf course management positions as a Head Professional, Golf Course Superintendent, Director/Manager of Golf, or equivalent senior leadership experience in golf operations management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, horticulture, or closely related field
• Regional Manager, General Manager or Director/Manager of Golf experience overseeing multiple public golf courses (preferably municipal)
• Certification as Class A PGA Golf Professional, GCSAA Golf Course Superintendent, or Certified Club Manager

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of traditional financial and operational practices utilized in public golf management
• Knowledge of the complexities of working in a government setting
• Understanding of the tenants of servant leadership as well as emotional intelligence frameworks
• 
  

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, fiscal, analytical, decision-making, leadership, customer service and managerial skills
• Skill in the use of Windows-based programs and golf-specific technologies
• Skill in customer relations, crisis communications management, public speaking, and media relations
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors

Abilities:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Manage staff with focus on maximizing customer experience
• Manage and communicate budget related issues in an inclusive manner with staff
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Direct and effectively supervise a diverse workforce
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner
• Establish and monitor meaningful goals and objectives

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license within three months of hire and be able to operate a city vehicle, or otherwise demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation requirements of the role

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Light physical work that involves moving no more than 20 pounds at a time
• Occasional walking, standing, lifting, and carrying.
• Seldom pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard, golf carts and motor vehicles

Work Environment:

• Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors in varying weather conditions performing facility inspections or assisting with programs and events

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computers and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel etc. as well as golf-specific software
• Motor vehicle
• Golf carts
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.