New York, New York

The Lotos Club

New York, New York

Operations Manager

THE LOTOS CLUB, one of the oldest literary clubs in the United States, was founded on March 15, 1870, by a group of young writers, journalists and critics. Their idea was that The Lotos Club should be different – more inclusive, more comfortable, more active and more enjoyable – than other clubs available in New York City at that time. This is a philosophy that has guided Lotos ever since.

To convey the idea of “rest and harmony,” the Club took its name from “The Lotos Eaters” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Mark Twain, a lifelong member and frequent guest, called Lotos “The Ace of Clubs.”

Lotos’ first president, New York Leader editor DeWitt Van Buren, died after only a few months in office, and its second, New York City Mayor A. Oakey Hall, was indicted along with Boss Tweed. New York Tribune editor Whitelaw Reid was elected president in 1872, and made Lotos a success. He inaugurated Ladies’ Days – then a rarity among New York clubs – and started the hospitable tradition of hosting lavish dinners for distinguished figures from all walks of life.

These celebrations, now called State Dinners, have been held for W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ulysses S. Grant, Woodrow Wilson, Enrico Caruso, George M. Cohan, Amelia Earhart, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, Robert Moses, Harry S Truman, Leonard Bernstein, Robert Frost, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Beverly Sills, Margaret Mead, Linus Pauling, Saul Bellow, Joe DiMaggio, Roy Lichtenstein, Arthur Miller, Dave Brubeck, more than a dozen New York City mayors and many other men and women of achievement.

The Club’s first home was a modest row house on Irving Place, next to the old Academy of Music. In 1877, it took up residence in a mansion at 149 Fifth Avenue, and then, sixteen years later, moved to 556-58 Fifth Avenue, a double brownstone just south of 46th Street. With financial backing from Club member Andrew Carnegie, Lotos moved again in 1909 to a commodious, custom-built clubhouse at 110 West 57th Street. Lotos has resided in its current home at 5 East 66th Street since 1947. A fine example of French Renaissance architecture, the building was designed by Richard Howland Hunt and built in 1900 as a wedding gift for Maria Shepard, a granddaughter of William H. Vanderbilt, and her husband William Jay Schieffelin. Decorative embellishments include an elaborate mantel in the Tennyson Room sculpted by Karl Bitter. The Grill Room features a collection of Lotos State Dinner menus and memorabilia, as well as paintings by James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, and Everett Raymond Kinstler that recall the Club’s origin as a men’s club.

Lotos began its second century with a unanimous vote in May 1977 to extend membership to women. In 2010, it elected its first female president. Each year continues to bring a full schedule of stimulating programs, as it has for almost a century and a half. Members take pride in bringing family and friends for events and for unsurpassed dining in a clubhouse that is comfortable, handsome and appreciated.

Lotos has reason to be proud of its past and faces the future with vitality and creativity. In a world of swift and unsettling change, The Lotos Club hopes to remain a small, treasured isle of tranquility and civility.

SOCIAL & DINING

The elegant and inviting Lotos clubhouse features social and dining options for the enjoyment of Members and guests. Whether the Club is hosting a wedding for 100 or a dinner for two, the Club prides itself on great service and outstanding food for every occasion. The Grill Room is open for both lunch and dinner and provides an oasis from the hustle and bustle of New York life and harkens one back to a quieter time. A continental breakfast is offered in the Tennyson Room for members and guests as well.

BEDROOMS

The Club is home to 14 guest bedrooms. Members and guests enjoy a Continental breakfast and Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. The bedrooms contain Independent air conditioning and heating controls, wireless internet service, and cable TV. Additional amenities include irons and full size ironing board, mini-bars, hair dryers, in-room safes. The Club provides twenty-four hour front desk staff. REVENUES AND STATISTICS

Age 143 Years (1870)

Total Revenue $7.4 Million

Food Sales $2.0 Million

Beverage Sales $750,000

Dues Revenue $1.9 Million

Bedroom Revenue $1.2 Million

Members 784 (382 Resident)

Staff 50 Employees

Initiation Fee $9,000

Annual Dues $3,900

THE POSITION

The Operations Manager (OM) will report to the General Manager and will be responsible for carrying out the Club’s policies. The OM will be accountable for the general operations of the Clubhouse relating to Food, Beverage, Bedrooms, Housekeeping, Reception, Repairs/Maintenance and Security. He/She directly supervises the Executive Chef, Club Dining Maitre‘d, Private Dining Manager, and Assistant Operations Managers. He/She will be the General Manager’s bridge to the staff. He/She will prepare such special reports as may be requested by the General Manager or Committees and will report back on the effectiveness of the club’s policies, operations and new programs. The OM will be responsible for operation of all aspects of the club in the absence of the General Manager and perform specific tasks as requested by him. The Club is seeking a highly motivated, personable team player with a proven track record in food and beverage management and polished communication skills. The successful candidate will work closely with the General Manager and Executive Chef to ensure the overall success of the member dining and banquet facilities. The individual must be highly visible with a hands-on style and readily accessible to the membership and staff. Responsibilities include clubhouse staff hiring, training, coaching, budget preparation and web based marketing and member communications. Knowledge of service techniques, menu planning, food and beverage trends and significant wine knowledge are required.

While technical skills will of course be important, the candidate’s interpersonal skills will be all the more important. Diplomacy, finesse and polish will be required to maintain the Club’s service levels. The Club is known for its F&B quality.

PREREQUISITES

Education College Graduate, Hospitality Degree preferred. Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand well. CCM Designation or working towards the designation is preferred.

Experience Knowledge of the hospitality industry, generally involving a minimum of five (5) years in the industry in positions involving both the front and back-of-the house operations.

RESUME SUBMISSION

Please submit resumes and a strong cover letter to:

Charles D. Dorn, CCM

Managing Director

The Dorn Group, Ltd.

472 Grace Church Street

Rye, NY 10580 [email protected]

Note: All resumes should be submitted in WORD format. Please indicate “Lotos Club – Operations Manager” in the subject.

All resumes must be submitted by August 1, 2013

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Charles D. Dorn, CCM

Managing Director

The Dorn Group, Ltd.

472 Grace Church Street

Rye, New York 10580

(914) 921-3150

(914) 921-4150 (F) [email protected] www.thedorngroup.com