Title: Director of Agronomy, Cabot Cape Breton
Location:Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
About Cabot Cape Breton
Located on
over a mile of sandy beach along the coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia—and
nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the picturesque town of Inverness—Cabot
Cape Breton is Canada’s first and only authentic links golf resort. Featuring
47 holes of exhilarating golf.
Our Cabot Cape
Breton resort includes two acclaimed World Top 100 courses, a practice facility
equipped with Trackman Range, 72 rooms of award-winning accommodation, 63
luxury Golf Villas and Homes, with Cliffs Lots under construction, exquisite
dining in four on-site restaurants, two clay tennis courts, outdoor activities and
a significant new Clubhouse at Cabot Cliffs under construction.Cabot Cape Breton is intended to excite and
inspire at every turn.
Position Overview:
A key member
of our Cabot team, our Director of Agronomy will be instrumental in building on
the Cabot legacy of unrivaled golf. This leader will oversee our vitally
important Turf & Property Grounds departments.
The Director
of Agronomy is trusted to oversee and enhance the golf course conditions, golf
course development tie ins to golf courses, operations, and maintenance of our
acclaimed Cabot Cape Breton Golf Courses. Our courses are unique in Canada
being wall to wall fescue greens, tees and fairways on Cabot Links and Cabot
Cliffs, with fescue tees and fairways and bent greens on The Nest.Knowledge and experience in fescue turf is an
important attribute for our Director of Agronomy.
You will be
instrumental in providing an exhilarating golf experience by leading the
superintendents and their teams that provides exceptional care of our land
through effective and efficient practices including, but not limited to, turf
maintenance the use of irrigation systems and maintenance facilities.
The Director
of Agronomy is instrumental in developing innovative, tailored agronomic
strategies. You will oversee the construction & improvement plans that
enhance our world-class golf experience focused on conditioning standards and
professional services that align with our Cabot brand. This position is accountable
for achieving financial targets relative to the operations for which they are
responsible, while serving to protect and enhance our beautiful land.
Core Competencies:
Dynamic Strategies
- Lead and develop the Superintendents, Mechanics and Irrigation
leadership.
- Provide agronomic direction for the care and healthy growth of our golf
courses, including grasses, trees, wetlands, and surrounding environmental
structures
- Elevate the course conditions, with a focus on attention to detail, and
providing the most outstanding playing surfaces for premium golf.
- Work in partnership with all the Golf Divisions to ensure we challenge ourselves to continually exceed our guest experience standards - with a strong focus on providing firm fast conditions renowned in links golf
- Plan, develop, and execute all agronomic programs in compliance with the
companies’ environmental protection policies, IPM Plan & Audubon
Certification, while leading long-term, sustainable turf conditioning
objectives
- Oversee improvements
to the property’s maintenance facilities, on-course structures, and nurseries.
- Oversee effective coastal dune ecosystem management, repairing &
mitigating coastal erosion, and provide strategies to protect and enhance the
natural coastline
- Coordinate golf course improvements, long-term plans, repairs and
maintenance programs while considering player access, golf season peaks and
business volumes
- Assist with the planning and execution of new developments and take
responsibility for the acquisition, installation, and evaluation of
infrastructure relative to property landscapes
- Oversee all landscaping to current and future Villas and Homes, helping
to elevate this important aspect of the overall resort ‘look and feel’ to
greater standards
Inspiring Leadership
- Inspire a best-in-class team who works across Turf & Horticultural
operations for Cabot Links, Cabot Cliffs, The Nest, practice facilities, resort
& real estate grounds, wooded areas, tennis & recreational amenities,
open spaces, plantings & gardens, exterior landscapes & hardscapes,
etc. - to perform to the highest standard
- Provide clear and engaged leadership to all team members by actively
connecting with a positive and team-oriented communication style regularly and
openly with the intent of winning together
- Raise the bar on taking care of your team – working with Human Resources
on employment activities like personnel recruitment and selection, performance
evaluations, training, compensation, payroll, etc.
- Ensure Health and Safety standards are met, improved, documented and
proper training conducted in all areas of the Turf and Landscaping departments.
- Represent our Cabot Cape Breton brand with impact as a liaison in
reviewing/determining future construction specifications, sanctioning of
material testing & analysis, installation of infrastructure, including
recommendations & requirements
- Liaise with Superintendents and manufacturers to devise a full and
complete machinery fleet strategy for 5 and 10 year replacements
Relationship
Builder
- Build strong relationships with our Managing Director, General Manager,
Chief Financial Officer and Architects, among others, to complete all
activities, interests, and requests
- Develop and implement organizational efficiencies for the teams of
Superintendents & Assistants, Equipment Managers, Resort & Landscape
Managers
- Coordinate and oversee ground’s personnel activities while providing the
framework to guide team members in their personal/professional development
plans and the positive work culture Cabot delivers
- Inspire colleagues to develop themselves and to coach their teams to
enthusiastically perform to the highest standard
- Implement Cabot policies including operating procedures, Human
Resources, safety policies and others pertaining to the property and
maintenance of the turf departments and resort staff
Operational
Excellence
- Responsible to elevate the course conditions and tidiness of all grounds
including all three golf courses, residential landscaping and resort
landscaping throughout all properties attached to Cabot Cape Breton properties.
- Ensure strict compliance with guidelines pertaining to provincial and
federal legislation, regulations, permits, and licenses
- Refine or adjust procedures relating to propagation, application
equipment, & technological advances and climate required for product
applications, planting programs, as well as data collection & analysis
- Oversee procurement of the equipment fleet & property assets for
both golf and operational property maintenance, as authorized by the CFO
Manage Resources
- Responsible for the preparation and implementation of operating and
capital budgets. Assist with financial forecasts and analyzing budget variances
directly with the Director Golf, CFO and Controller(s)
- Assure the efficient and timely submission of all required operational,
financial, budgetary and record keeping reports in accord with financially
approved objectives over outcomes
- Coordinate the hiring and schedule of works for contractors and ensure
they are in line with the golf course and resort development plans to maximize
efficient progress achievable throughout the construction phases
- Assemble and work with architects, consultants, scientists, engineers,
and affiliates with advanced expertise and unique skillsets
- Maintain knowledge of current industry developments through continuous
learning, attention to golf industry periodicals and participation in relevant
trade associations and organizations.
Experience
and Qualifications & Skills:
- You possess strong awareness and curiosity about industry trends and
technology to support growth and maintenance
- You are
self-motivated, detail-oriented, and highly analytical with exceptional
problem-solving skills
- Your leadership skills include asking open-ended questions, excellent
listening and intentionally connecting with your team members on a regular
basis
- Degree or Diploma in
Golf Course/ Turfgrass Management or a related field
- CGSA Accredited Golf Course Superintendent, GCSAA Certified GC
Superintendent and/or working toward certification
- Previous Golf Course
Management/Directorial experience within a multi golf course facility
- The ability to
maintain a Nova Scotia Pesticide Applicators License & IPM Certification
- Demonstrated
experience and competency in turfgrass agronomic practices and procedures
- Demonstrated
experience and aptitude in the areas of fiscal management and personal
leadership
- The passion and ability to coordinate agronomic strategies for Golf
Courses and Landscape Departments
- Ability to analyze and solve problems, efficiently handle multiple
duties under pressure with minimal supervision, and willingness to work
flexible hours as required including early mornings, nights/weekends
Physical Demands:
- This role requires work outdoors in varying environmental conditions
such as heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind
- Ability to spend long hours moving, walking, sitting, standing,
kneeling, reaching, shoveling and/or raking
- Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds
of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or otherwise move objects
- Ability to work with
and around motorized equipment movement hazards, and misdirected golf balls
- Utilization of
audio/visual technologies for communication purposes
- Ability to work with and around pesticides, fertilizers, and registered
products and to safely interpret and follow all product safety labels and
instructions
Start
Date & Employment Duration:
- Start
Date is February 1st, 2026
- Fulltime
Year Round
