Description

Overview

Marin Country Club is seeking a Director of Agronomy to lead the daily condition, presentation, and playability of the golf course at a private club in Novato, California. This senior leadership role oversees a complex agronomic operation involving cool-season and transition-zone turf management, water stewardship, drainage, tree and shade influence, seasonal weather patterns, labor planning, and the operational realities of a high-use private club course.

The role serves as the primary agronomic voice to club leadership and member committees, communicating agronomic strategy, capital needs, seasonal realities, and course standards with clarity and credibility. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this position is a full member of the club's senior management team and is supported by Troon Prive's agronomy infrastructure as a consultative resource.

Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Turf Management, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience considered.
• Minimum of five to 10 years of progressive agronomic leadership experience, ideally at a high-caliber private club or resort property.
• Proven track record of delivering and sustaining high-quality playing conditions at a discerning membership club.
• Experience managing a full maintenance team, complex operating practices, and a meaningful agronomic budget.
• California Qualified Applicator License or ability to obtain within an agreed-upon timeframe.
• Applicable Golf Course BMP, safety, and environmental stewardship training preferred.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to anticipate agronomic issues early, act with discipline, and build systems that sustain consistent playing conditions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and hospitality-oriented approach in a private club environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Own the agronomic program from soil to surface, developing and executing sound practices that deliver consistent, high-quality playing conditions year-round.
• Stay current on agronomic research, emerging turf technologies, and Northern California-specific disease, pest, water, and soil management practices.
• Ensure proper calibration, mixing, storage, documentation, and application of all chemical and fertilizer inputs in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain California pesticide applicator compliance and applicable golf course BMP standards across the team.
• Proactively address environmental concerns including water use, drainage, runoff, tree impact, and chemical containment.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the full maintenance team including Assistant Superintendent, Equipment Manager, Irrigation Technician, Foreman, and Greenskeeping staff.
• Conduct effective onboarding and ongoing training programs; manage performance with directness and fairness.
• Foster communication across departments, particularly with Golf Operations, Club Management, and member-facing teams.
• Serve as the primary agronomic voice to club leadership and member committees.
• Contribute to long-term capital planning, renovation scoping, irrigation planning, equipment replacement, and environmental stewardship programs.
• Provide timely agronomic reporting to the General Manager and Troon Prive's agronomy team where applicable.
• Participate as a full member of the senior management team.
• Develop and manage the agronomy department budget, capital expenditure plans, labor planning, and expense controls.
• Make fiscally disciplined decisions that reflect the property's standards and long-term financial health.