The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) has published its Job Survey 2008 detailing salary levels, benefits, roles and responsibilities of club managers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The research, which is the first of its kind, is based on a sample of 173 CMAE members in 18 countries and provides an indication of the role and profile of club management professionals, revealing:
The average club manager earns approximately €70,000 per year
22% of respondents earn more than €100,000 a year
the majority of club managers (69%) are aged between 31 and 50
only 19% are aged 51 or over
60% of club managers are educated to university level or higher, with 13% holding a doctorate or MBA
32% of club managers have a professional qualification
only 5% of club managers have the title of Chief Executive Officer, yet 20% of club managers feel this more accurately reflects their true role
“This is the first survey of its kind and while we cannot pretend this initial survey answers all of the questions, we believe it is a good start and a useful indication of the modern club manager’s role,” said Jerry Kilby, CMAE chief executive officer.
“The survey, which we aim to make a comprehensive annual report, has thrown up some fascinating insights. Regarding salaries, the fact that 22% of club managers earn more than €100,000 a year, with 6% earning in excess of €120,000, underlines the genuine incentives on offer for those who want to reach the top of their profession.
“Club managers tend to be well qualified with the majority having been educated to university level or above. The rise of vocational college qualifications is apparent with 32% holding a golf or sports related degree and 19% a hospitality or hotel management degree.”
Kilby continued, “What is also interesting is the disparity between managers’ job titles and the title they feel truly reflects their role. Only 5% of those surveyed are Chief Executive Officers in name, yet 20% believed this is the title that best described their actual job. Conversely, 32% of those surveyed are Club Managers but only 16% felt that was representative of the job they undertake, suggesting job titles and job descriptions for club managers need to be reassessed.”
More than half of the survey respondents (57%) are managers at golf clubs, while 16% are managers at golf and country clubs, 11% at city clubs, 7% at sports and social clubs, 2% tennis clubs, with the remainder being managers at health and fitness, sailing, equestrian and other clubs.
“The stereotypical club manager is an older male, yet our survey showed a much younger profile with 35% in the 31-40 year age bracket and 34% aged 41-50,” added Jerry Kilby. “Only 19% of respondents are 51 years or over.
“However, with 92% of our respondents being male, it is an indication that club management is a male dominated profession in Europe, although there are exceptions, such as Sweden, where 45% of club managers are female.”
The full survey is available to download free of charge at the CMAE’s website: www.cmaeurope.org