Founder Program Manager @ Wild Spring Dunes

Who We Are

Wild Spring Dunes spans more than 2,400 secluded acres in the Piney Woods of East Texas — towering pine and hardwood forests, open meadows, rolling hills, and spring-fed ravines. The land laid out its own logic, and the golf courses follow it: the first course, designed by Tom Doak, opened for full play in September 2026, with a second course from Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw planned. A short course, practice center, clubhouse and lodge, cabins, homesites, and F&B outlets round out the vision.

Wild Spring Dunes offers a rare sense of space and quiet - a place where golf, nature, and community come together. Set between Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it's an invitation to enjoy the walk in the pines and experience the serenity of the unbounded outdoors.

Position Summary

The Founder Program Manager leads the Wild Spring Dunes Foundership program and is responsible for developing and delivering a high-touch, consistent Founder experience. This position oversees Founder services, reservations, events, communications coordination, policies and procedures, and ongoing Foundership programming while identifying opportunities to strengthen the program as Wild Spring Dunes continues to grow.

Reporting to the Reservations & Marketing Manager, the Founder Program Manager serves as the internal leader and primary representative of the Foundership program, working across Wild Spring Dunes departments and with the Sandborn ownership team and KemperSports management team to ensure Founder needs and priorities are represented in operational planning and decision-making.

The Founder Program Manager directly supervises the Founder Concierge and works closely with the Reservations team to execute Founder reservations and annual tee time initiatives. This position requires strong leadership, relationship management, strategic thinking, organization, and a genuine commitment to creating an exceptional Founder experience.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Founder Program Leadership & Development

Lead the overall Wild Spring Dunes Founder program and help establish its long-term direction

Serve as the internal leader and primary representative for Foundership within department and leadership meetings

Represent Founder needs, feedback, and priorities in operational discussions and decision-making

Develop and continually evaluate Founder programming, benefits, services, and experiences

Identify new opportunities to enhance the value and overall experience of Foundership

Establish service standards and processes that create a consistent, high-touch Founder experience

Gather Founder feedback and identify trends and opportunities for continued improvement

Partner with the Reservations & Marketing Manager and property leadership on the continued evolution of the Foundership program

Founder Policies & Procedures

Serve as the primary Wild Spring Dunes liason with the Sandborn ownership and KemperSports management team on Foundership policies, procedures, and program development

Develop, document, and maintain Founder policies and operating procedures

Lead development and ongoing maintenance of a comprehensive Founder handbook and related resources

Ensure Founder policies are clearly communicated and consistently applied across departments

Evaluate existing policies and recommend changes as the program and property evolve

Coordinate implementation of new Founder policies, benefits, and procedures across appropriate teams

Founder Reservations

Partner with the Reservations & Marketing Manager to develop the annual Founder reservation rollout strategy and booking process

Oversee the Founder reservation experience and ensure consistent execution by the Reservations team

Assist with Founder inventory planning, booking policies, timelines, and communications

Coordinate with the Reservations Team to execute annual Founder bookings and ongoing reservation needs

Provide guidance and escalation support for complex Founder reservation requests

Monitor Founder reservation trends and feedback to identify opportunities for process improvement

Ensure the Reservations team understands current Founder benefits, policies, booking procedures, and service expectations

Founder Events & Programming

Lead the planning, development, and execution of Wild Spring Dunes Founder events and experiences

Develop the annual Founder event calendar in collaboration with other department leaders

Manage event logistics, registration, reservations, programming, guest experience, and post-event follow-up

Coordinate across Golf, F&B, Marketing, Reservations, Agronomy, and other departments to execute Founder events

Attend and represent Wild Spring Dunes at applicable off-site Founder trips, gatherings, and experiences

Serve as the primary Wild Spring Dunes host and representative during Founder travel experiences

Founder Portal & Resources

Own the continued development and enhancement of the Founder Portal experience

Ensure the Portal remains accurate, relevant, intuitive, and valuable to Founders

Identify opportunities to improve functionality, resources, information, and overall usability

Coordinate Founder Portal content and updates with the Reservations & Marketing Manager

Oversee Founder account setup and access

Maintain appropriate Founder resources, FAQs, policies, event information, and other program materials

Founder Relationships & Service

Develop and maintain strong relationships with Wild Spring Dunes Founders

Serve as an escalation point for complex Founder questions, concerns, or service issues

Maintain an understanding of Founder preferences, feedback, and overall sentiment

Ensure appropriate pre-arrival, on-site, and post-visit service standards are maintained

Maintain a visible presence with Founders on property and at Founder events

Work with department leaders to resolve service issues and continuously improve the Founder experience

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Directly supervise, train, and develop the Founder Concierge

Establish priorities, expectations, and service standards for the Founder Concierge position

Provide direction to Reservations Agents regarding Founder reservation processes and initiatives in coordination with the Reservations & Marketing Manager

Coordinate Founder-related activities across Reservations, Marketing, Golf, F&B, and other departments

Communicate Founder initiatives, policies, events, and operational needs to department leaders

Participate in leadership meetings as the representative for the Foundership program

Support broader Reservations & Marketing department initiatives as needed

Qualifications

Is a strong relationship builder who genuinely enjoys creating meaningful guest experiences

Demonstrates leadership and is comfortable taking ownership of a growing program

Can balance strategic program development with hands-on execution

Communicates confidently with Founders, employees, leadership, and ownership

Is comfortable representing Wild Spring Dunes both on property and while traveling

Thinks proactively and continually looks for opportunities to improve an experience or process

Exercises sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive guest, financial, or organizational matters

Is highly organized and capable of managing multiple projects, events, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously

Can lead projects across departments even when team members do not directly report to the position

Is comfortable developing policies, procedures, processes, and written resources

Is confident using reservation systems, CRM tools, spreadsheets, web platforms, and other hospitality technology

Is flexible and willing to work select weekends, holidays, evenings, and travel dates based on Founder and event needs

Preferred Experience

Previous experience in hospitality, golf operations, private clubs, membership programs, guest services, or a similar relationship-driven environment

Demonstrated experience managing high-touch guest, member, VIP, or client relationships

Experience planning and executing events, trips, or guest experiences

Previous leadership or supervisory experience

Experience developing operational procedures, service standards, or customer programs

Familiarity with golf and golf travel strongly preferred

College degree in hospitality, business, communications, or a related field preferred

Physical Requirements:

Must have the ability to

Stand, walk, and remain active for extended periods (4–6+ hours)

Communicate clearly in person and via radio

Lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly

Operate golf carts and other light equipment safely

Working Conditions

Subject to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. This position requires regular on-site interaction with Founders and employees and may require work during weekends, holidays, evenings, special events, and other peak periods. Periodic travel is required for Founder trips, events, and other Foundership-related activities.