What Is It Really Like to Work at CORE: Club?
Explore careers and culture at CORE: Club. Our 2024 review covers pay, benefits, and the hiring process to see if this is your next loved workplace.
Working at CORE: Club means joining an exclusive, members-only hospitality brand known for its high standards of service and discretion. Employees frequently praise the company's strong emphasis on career development, mentorship opportunities, and a supportive internal culture. As a certified Most Loved Workplace®, CORE: Club demonstrates a verified commitment to employee satisfaction. The environment is demanding and best suited for hospitality professionals dedicated to continuous learning and career advancement in a luxury setting.
- Founded
- 2005
- HQ
- New York, NY
- CEO
- Jennie Enterprise
- Industry
- Hospitality / Private Members Club
- Ownership
- Private
- CORE: Club is a certified Most Loved Workplace®, indicating a high level of employee satisfaction and a positive workplace culture.
- The company emphasizes internal career development, tailored training programs, and a formal culture of mentorship.
- CORE: Club operates in the exclusive, private members' club segment of the luxury hospitality industry, with locations in New York, Milan, and San Francisco.
- Roles are client-facing and require a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and dedication to service excellence.
- While specific compensation data is private, roles are positioned in the premium segment of the hospitality market.
Working at CORE: Club means joining an exclusive, members-only hospitality brand known for its high standards of service and discretion. Employees frequently praise the company's strong emphasis on career development, mentorship opportunities, and a supportive internal culture. As a certified Most Loved Workplace®, CORE: Club demonstrates a verified commitment to employee satisfaction. The environment is demanding and best suited for hospitality professionals dedicated to continuous learning and career advancement in a luxury setting.
What is it actually like to work at CORE: Club?
CORE: Club is not a typical hospitality employer. Founded in 2005 by Jennie Enterprise, it was conceived as an "un-club," a private, curated environment for a global community of high-achieving individuals. With opulent locations in New York City, Milan, and San Francisco, working at CORE: Club means operating at the pinnacle of the luxury service industry. The daily work environment is structured, highly professional, and centered on providing an impeccable and discreet experience for members and their guests.
For employees, this translates into a workplace with exceptionally high standards. Team members are expected to be polished, proactive, and possess a deep understanding of luxury service codes. The atmosphere is less about transactional service and more about building relationships and anticipating the needs of a regular, elite clientele. This focus on long-term member satisfaction fosters a collaborative and team-oriented approach among staff.
The company’s commitment to its employees is externally validated by its certification as a Most Loved Workplace®. This recognition is based on direct employee feedback and analysis, indicating that the internal culture is genuinely supportive. According to testimonials from staff, the club offers a fulfilling career path for those passionate about the art of hospitality, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and professional growth. The experience is designed for individuals who are not just looking for a job, but a career in a demanding yet rewarding niche of the service industry.
Source: Forbes Source: Most Loved Workplaces® CertCheck
How does CORE: Club pay compare?
As a private company, CORE: Club does not publicly disclose its salary bands or compensation structures. However, its position within the ultra-luxury segment of the hospitality market provides important context. These roles are not comparable to standard restaurant or hotel jobs; they require a higher level of skill, discretion, and emotional intelligence, and compensation is expected to reflect that.
Candidates should expect pay to be competitive for the top tier of the hospitality markets in New York, Milan, and San Francisco—three of the most expensive cities in the world. Compensation packages likely include a base salary that is competitive with high-end hotels and fine dining establishments. For service-facing roles, gratuities or service charges may also be a component of total earnings, though the specific model can vary in private club environments.
To prepare for compensation discussions, candidates should research benchmarks for comparable roles in their city. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Lodging Managers was $62,170 in May 2023, with the top 10 percent earning over $120,580. While this provides a general baseline, roles at a club as exclusive as CORE may command salaries at the higher end of this range or beyond. You should enter negotiations with a clear understanding of your value and the market rate for this specialized form of service.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What benefits and time-off does CORE: Club offer?
Specific details on CORE: Club's benefits package are typically shared with candidates during the interview process. As is standard for premier employers in the hospitality sector, a comprehensive benefits package is essential for attracting and retaining the talent required to operate at this level. Prospective employees should anticipate and inquire about a package that includes health, wellness, and financial security components.
Based on industry standards for luxury operators, a full-time benefits package would likely include:
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan or a similar retirement vehicle, possibly with a company match.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): A policy that combines vacation, sick days, and personal days.
- Other Perks: Benefits common in hospitality can include complimentary staff meals during shifts (often called 'family meals'), uniform provision and maintenance, and potential employee discounts on certain services.
Given the demanding nature of hospitality work, which often includes nights, weekends, and holidays, a robust PTO and benefits plan is a critical factor in employee well-being and retention. CORE: Club's status as a Most Loved Workplace® suggests its offerings are competitive and valued by its team members. The best course of action for any candidate is to ask for a detailed benefits summary from the HR team before accepting an offer.
Source: CORE: Club Careers Portal
Culture, leadership, and DEI at CORE: Club
CORE: Club's culture is a direct reflection of its brand: exclusive, sophisticated, and centered on community. The company's internal philosophy, as confirmed by its Most Loved Workplace® certification, emphasizes creating a supportive and developmental environment for its staff. Employees report a strong culture of mentorship, where experienced team members actively guide junior colleagues, fostering a cycle of continuous improvement and shared knowledge.
Leadership, inspired by founder Jennie Enterprise's vision, is focused on maintaining an "un-club" ethos. This means creating a feeling of belonging and personal connection—not just for members, but for the staff who create the experience. The leadership team's primary goal is to empower employees to deliver flawless service, which requires a culture of trust, respect, and open communication. This is further supported by tailored training programs designed to enhance skills across all departments.
Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), operating in global-crossroad cities like New York, Milan, and San Francisco makes a diverse workforce a business necessity. Serving a cosmopolitan membership requires a team that is culturally aware, multilingual, and representative of a global perspective. While specific DEI program details are not public, the nature of CORE: Club's business model implies a commitment to attracting talent from diverse backgrounds to deliver its world-class service. The anointment as a Most Loved Workplace® further suggests a culture where employees feel they are treated with respect and that their values align with the organization's.
Source: Women's Wear Daily Source: Most Loved Workplaces® CertCheck
The hiring and interview process at CORE: Club
Securing a role at CORE: Club involves a rigorous and multi-stage interview process designed to identify candidates with the right blend of technical skill, personal grace, and cultural fit. The process begins on their official careers portal, where all open positions are listed.
A typical hiring journey for a role at CORE: Club would likely include the following steps:
- Online Application: Candidates submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their experience and interest in the club.
- Initial Screening: A member of the HR team conducts a preliminary phone or video call to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the company's values.
- Hiring Manager Interview: This stage involves a deeper conversation with the manager of the department you're applying to join. Questions will focus on your specific skills, past experiences in similar environments, and situational judgment.
- Practical Assessment or "Stage": Common in high-end hospitality, candidates for roles like chefs, servers, or bartenders may be asked to perform a practical trial. This allows the team to see your skills in action and assess your ability to perform under pressure.
- Final Interview: The last step may be an interview with a General Manager or another senior leader. This interview is often focused on confirming cultural fit and ensuring you understand the high expectations of the role.
Throughout the process, interviewers are evaluating not only what you've done but who you are. Professionalism, discretion, a genuine passion for service, and the ability to work seamlessly within a team are the key attributes that CORE: Club seeks in its employees.
Source: CORE: Club Careers Portal
Career growth and learning at CORE: Club
CORE: Club positions itself as an employer where hospitality professionals can build a long-term career, not just hold a job. This commitment is evident in the emphasis on internal development and continuous learning. According to the company, growth is supported by a formal structure of training and mentorship.
Training programs at CORE: Club are reportedly tailored to the specific needs of different departments and individual employees. This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. For a sommelier, it might mean advanced wine education; for a front-of-house manager, it could involve leadership and conflict resolution training. The goal is to ensure every team member is constantly honing their craft to meet the evolving needs of the club's discerning members.
A key element of this ecosystem is the strong culture of mentorship. The company promotes an environment where experienced team members are encouraged and expected to guide less experienced employees. This on-the-job apprenticeship is invaluable in an industry where so much knowledge is passed down through experience. For an ambitious employee, this means a clear path for advancement is not only possible but actively encouraged. High performers who embody the club's values can expect to find opportunities to move into leadership roles as the brand expands globally.
Source: Most Loved Workplaces®
Risks, criticisms, and what to watch
While the opportunity to work at CORE: Club is compelling, candidates should consider the unique pressures and challenges of operating in an ultra-luxury environment. The very factors that make the club exclusive for members create a high-stakes workplace for employees.
One of the primary risks is the pressure of perfection. The clientele expects flawless service at all times, and the margin for error is razor-thin. This can create a high-stress environment that requires significant emotional resilience. The work is demanding and often involves long hours and non-traditional schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays—a standard aspect of the hospitality industry but amplified in a 24/7 service culture.
Discretion is another critical factor. Employees are privy to the lives of influential members and are expected to uphold the strictest confidentiality. This almost certainly involves signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and any breach, however minor, would have serious professional consequences.
Finally, while the skills learned are deep, they are also niche. Expertise in serving a rarified, private clientele is highly valued within that world but may be perceived as less transferable to other, more mainstream sectors of the economy. Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how a role at an exclusive private club aligns with them. Industry-wide issues like the potential for burnout remain a reality, even in the most loved workplaces, and require proactive self-care and clear work-life boundaries.
Most Loved Workplaces® context
Most Loved Workplaces® certifies companies where employees are the happiest and most satisfied based on their own voices. The certification process provides a validated, 360-degree view of the employee experience, leveraging the SPARK framework of Systemic Collaboration, a Positive Vision of the future, Alignment of values, Respect, and Kindness. With 2.8 million employees across the certified network of over 1,800 companies, this program provides a powerful benchmark. Research shows that 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise. Companies at the top tier of the program experience 4× higher revenue growth versus industry peers and benefit from 48% higher employee retention.
How we researched this report: This article was written by the Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our reports are based on firsthand research, including a company's Most Loved Workplaces® certification data, interviews, and analysis of public documents, news reports, and other primary sources. Learn more about our methodology.
Sources
- Most Loved Workplaces® CertCheck — Most Loved Workplaces®
- Forbes — Forbes
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — U.S. Department of Labor
- CORE: Club Careers Portal — Harri
- Women's Wear Daily — WWD
- Most Loved Workplaces® — Most Loved Workplaces®
- Skift — Skift
Quick answers
Researched and edited by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. See our methodology.