The private members club sector continues to evolve rapidly, with leading clubs placing greater emphasis on exceptional hospitality, personalized service and building genuine communities for their members.
Recently, Hastings People partnered with one of the United States' most prestigious private members clubs to appoint a Food & Beverage Manager for one of its flagship properties.
The search was led by Ben Fitzgerald, focusing on a candidate capable of delivering world-class member experiences while leading a high-performing front-of-house team.
The Challenge
Our client has established itself as one of the most respected names in the private members club space, creating exclusive environments where hospitality, culture and community come together.
As membership continued to grow, they needed a Food & Beverage Manager who could thrive in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment while maintaining the consistency their members had come to expect.
The successful candidate needed to lead and develop front-of-house teams, anticipate member needs, coach staff in real time, manage high-profile events, and create an experience that felt effortless for every member, every day.
Finding hospitality leaders with this combination of operational excellence, luxury service experience and genuine people leadership is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly within the private members club recruitment market.
At the same time, demand for these leaders continues to increase. As more premium hospitality businesses and private members clubs invest in elevated member experiences, the pool of executives with proven luxury credentials remains relatively small. The result is a highly competitive market where exceptional candidates are rarely available through traditional recruitment channels and are often considering multiple opportunities before deciding to move.
The Search
Rather than relying on active applicants, Ben Fitzgerald conducted a targeted search of the passive hospitality market.
The focus was on experienced restaurant leaders from luxury environments, Michelin-starred operations, boutique hospitality businesses and premium guest-focused environments.
One candidate quickly emerged as an outstanding fit.
Their career included leadership roles across some of Los Angeles' most respected hospitality businesses, including Michelin-starred dining, luxury wellness retreats and premium restaurants. They had built a reputation for elevating guest experiences, developing teams and maintaining exceptionally high service standards across both intimate fine dining environments and high-volume operations.
Equally important was their deliberate career approach. They had recently turned down several opportunities, choosing to wait for a business whose culture and standards aligned with their own. During discussions, they made it clear they were specifically seeking the environment that only an elite private members club could provide.
The Hire
Throughout the interview process, one theme remained consistent: hospitality begins with people.
The successful candidate spoke extensively about leading through fairness, communication and accountability. They believed in creating clear expectations, coaching team members in the moment and developing individuals rather than simply managing performance.
Their operational experience reinforced this philosophy.
During one previous leadership role, unexpected changes to staff remuneration resulted in the sudden resignation of most of the front-of-house team immediately before a peak trading period. Rather than allowing standards to slip, they quickly recruited six new team members, implemented structured group training and successfully maintained service through one of the busiest periods of the year.
What also stood out was their understanding of luxury service.
They described exceptional hospitality as anticipating guest needs, recognizing returning guests, maintaining subtle but meaningful service touchpoints and creating memorable experiences through genuine human connection rather than rigid procedures. This aligned closely with the expectations of a world-class private members club, where member relationships are built over years rather than individual visits.
The Outcome
For the client, the appointment delivered far more than an experienced Food & Beverage Manager.
They secured a hospitality leader with proven experience in luxury environments; exceptional guest engagement skills and a leadership style focused on developing high-performing teams while consistently delivering the level of service expected within an exclusive members-only environment.
For the candidate, it represented an opportunity to join one of the industry's most respected private members clubs and continue building a career in the sector they were genuinely passionate about.
The search also reinforced an important lesson for private members club recruitment.
Many of the strongest hospitality leaders are not actively applying for jobs. They are already succeeding in premium venues and only move when presented with an exceptional opportunity. By proactively engaging the passive market, Hastings People was able to identify, attract and secure a candidate who may never have responded to a traditional job advertisement.
Looking to Build Your Team or Take the Next Step in Your Career?
Whether you are looking to appoint exceptional hospitality leaders or you are an experienced professional considering your next opportunity, we'd love to start a conversation.
At Hastings People, we partner with leading hospitality businesses across the country to connect outstanding talent with exceptional opportunities, often before they ever reach the open market.
Get in touch with the Hastings People team to discuss your hiring needs or your next career move.