Communications & Membership Coordinator Onwentsia Club

• Lake Forest, Illinois About Onwentsia Club Founded in 1895 in the heart of Lake Forest, Onwentsia Club is one of the most storied private clubs in the country. The Club's name, drawn from an Iroquois word meaning "a meeting place," has shaped its identity for more than 125 years as a gathering place for families who value tradition, sportsmanship, and genuine community. Onwentsia holds a remarkable place in American golf history, having hosted the 1899 U.S. Amateur, the 1906 U.S. Open, the 1915 U.S. Women's Amateur, and most recently the 124th Women's Western Amateur. Today, Club life extends well beyond the course, with vibrant programming across golf, tennis, paddle, platform tennis, aquatics, croquet, backgammon, dining, and year-round family and social events. The iconic 1928 Harrie T. Lindeberg clubhouse remains the warm, welcoming center of it all. Joining the Onwentsia team means becoming part of a close-knit, professional staff dedicated to delivering an exceptional member experience while preserving the traditions that have defined the Club for over a century. Position Summary The Membership Coordinator & Communications Assistant plays a central role in supporting the Club's membership operations, while assisting the Food & Beverage Assistant and Website Administrator with member communications, the Club website, and in-house marketing collateral. This is a highly visible, cross-functional role that partners closely with the Website Administrator, department heads, the accounting team, and Club leadership. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented administrator, a polished communicator, and a creative problem-solver who takes pride in delivering a seamless, professional member experience.

Position Details Department:

Administration /

Membership Status:

Full-Time Schedule:

Tuesday through Saturday, typical business hours, with occasional evenings to support Club events and key communications deadlines. Key Responsibilities Membership & Administrative Support Partner with the accounting team to organize and maintain accurate membership records, applications, status changes, and onboarding documentation. Provide administrative coordination for the Board of Directors, including board packet assembly and distribution of electronic materials. Prepare welcome materials, member directories, and onboarding communications for new members in coordination with the membership and accounting teams. Support special projects and initiatives across departments as directed. Handle member inquiries related to communications, the website, and membership administration with professionalism and discretion. Communications Support Assist with the planning, writing, design, and distribution of the Club's weekly member email newsletter, as directed by the Website Administrator. Help gather, calendar, and prioritize content from department heads (Food & Beverage, Golf, Tennis, Paddle, Aquatics, Events, etc.) for upcoming announcements, events, and member updates. Assist in designing and producing member-facing flyers, signage, event collateral, menus, and printed pieces. Proofread outgoing communications for grammar, tone, accuracy, and consistency with the Club's brand and style guide. Assist with photography, content gathering, and storytelling at Club events as needed. Website & Digital Channels Support Assist with day-to-day updates to the Club website (Clubessential platform), including event listings, calendars, photos, member announcements, and dining menus, as directed. Help ensure web content is accurate, timely, mobile-friendly, and visually consistent with the Club's brand. Support the Website Administrator in coordinating with Clubessential support and department heads to troubleshoot issues and implement updates. Support member-facing digital tools, online event registrations, and digital signage where applicable. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, Hospitality, or a related field, OR equivalent professional experience. 2+ years of experience in membership, administrative, communications, or marketing roles, ideally in a hospitality, private club, nonprofit, or member-driven organization. Strong administrative skills with exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong editing and proofreading abilities. Comfort working within established brand guidelines and style standards. Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously and shift priorities in a dynamic environment. Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential member, financial, and Board-related information. Preferred Experience with Clubessential (website, CMS, or member management modules). Prior experience in a private club, country club, or hospitality environment. Experience supporting Boards, Committees, or executive leadership in an administrative capacity.

Key Competencies Member-First Mindset:

Approaches every communication and interaction through the lens of the member experience.

Organization & Project Management:

Manages competing priorities, recurring deadlines, and multiple internal team members without losing detail.

Collaboration:

Builds strong working relationships with the Website Administrator, across departments, and with the accounting and leadership teams.

Creativity & Brand Sensibility:

Produces clean, polished, on-brand visual and written content.

Discretion:

Handles sensitive information involving members, finances, and governance with the highest level of confidentiality.

Initiative:

Anticipates needs, proposes improvements, and follows through with minimal oversight. Working Conditions & Physical Requirements Primarily an office-based role within the Club, with regular movement throughout the property to coordinate with departments and attend events. Occasional evening and weekend hours required to support Board meetings, major Club events, and time-sensitive communications. Must be able to sit, stand, and operate a computer for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs (event materials, printed collateral, etc.). Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience. The Club offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plan participation, professional development opportunities, and on-property amenities consistent with Club policy. Equal Opportunity Employer The Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay:

$68,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person