The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. The USGA’s headquarters are located in Liberty Corner, NJ, with a recently opened campus in Pinehurst, NC. For more, visit usga.org.
About this role:
Volunteerism has been integral to the USGA's identity since our inception. Volunteers are crucial in carrying out our championships, promoting our programs, and fostering connections with local golf communities. Without volunteers, we could not achieve our mission.
The USGA is seeking a Director, Volunteer Services to support our 300+ National Committee Members (CMs). This role ensures the long-term sustainability of our volunteer network by creating the flexibility needed to deliver our championships and services while continually improving the CM experience.
The Director, Volunteer Services will serve as the primary contact for volunteers, acting as the interface between the USGA, the volunteer base, and the Allied Golf Association (AGA) communities. This role will be the strategic leader for communication and education of our CMs in coordination with Regional Affairs Directors nationwide.
Note: This position does not include the acquisition and support of temporary volunteers for the USGA Opens each year.
What you'll do:
- Providing centralized national support for surveying and assigning CMs to championships
- Collaborating with the Business Insights Analyst to develop and summarize CM surveys annually and post-championship, and to develop key tracking data points to monitor CM engagement and historical interactions with the USGA
- Identifying new volunteer opportunities, including evaluating a club ambassador program to drive greater adoption of USGA products and services at golf courses and improve the USGA's reputation at the local level, with a specific focus on supporting CMs without advanced or expert rules scores
- Serve as the main point of contact for the USGA's volunteer base
- Elevate the volunteer experience through education, engagement, and regular communication
- Foster stronger connections between USGA volunteers, AGAs, and local golf communities
- Continue modernizing our volunteer base to support the USGA's mission, programs, and services at local, national, and international levels
- Formalize our communications program to enhance the flow of information and feedback between the USGA, volunteers, and key constituents, while clarifying the roles of Regional Affairs Directors, the Communications team, and our Executive Administrative team
- Work directly with Championship Directors to ensure events are fully supported by the appropriate number of skilled volunteers while minimizing the time and financial burden on volunteers
- Partner with relevant USGA departments to create a volunteer continuing education program, covering topics such as officiating, staff interaction etiquette, championship on-course conduct, and promoting the value of a handicap index, USGA membership, and the Green Section mission
- Effectively use a CRM system to track volunteer activities, monitor the quality of the volunteer experience, and create a scorecard to evaluate performance and provide quantitative feedback, including potential certification levels
- Conduct ongoing evaluations of volunteer programs and services, recommending and implementing improvements as necessary
Where you'll be:
- This role can be based at our Liberty Corner, NJ campus on a hybrid schedule, or may work remotely. NJ-based employees are expected to spend 3 days per week working in the office, between Monday - Thursday. There is a travel component to this role - approximately 10-20% of time, working with our Championships, AGA staff, member clubs, and other allied organizations.
What you bring:
- 5+ years of experience in a golf organization with relevant experience leading volunteers or similar programs
- Bachelors degree in Business, Sport Management, or equivalent preferred
- Proven diplomacy and conflict resolution skills
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
- Public speaking experience
- Detail-oriented with strong multitasking abilities, and proven ability to work independently
What the USGA brings:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, including a zero cost medical plan offered for all full-time employees
- Retirement plans, with a generous annual contribution from the USGA
- Suite of programs to promote physical, emotional, and financial well-being
- Generous bank of paid time off, plus the week between Christmas and New Years Day off
- Off-site team building events
- On-site gym and golf simulator
- Professional development opportunities
The USGA is an equal opportunity employer. Our organization believes we are stronger by embracing our diverse backgrounds and perspectives, promoting equity so all teammates can excel and grow in their careers, and fostering experiences to drive inclusion in our workplace and game. Golf is a game for everyone, and you are always welcome.