James Burns brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the private club industry, including serving as General Manager of The Union Club of Boston for 24 years and General Manager of The Kittansett Club in Marion, Massachusetts. Earlier in his career, he spent eight years as Assistant Manager at The Country Club in Brookline, where he has also served as Director of Skeet Shooting since 1993. Throughout his career, James has led complex clubhouse operations, historic restoration initiatives, strategic capital projects, and organizational planning efforts while preserving the traditions and culture of some of the nation’s most respected private clubs. He also served on the management teams for the 1988 U.S. Open, the 1999 Ryder Cup, and the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club.
Since transitioning to consulting, James has advised country, city, yacht, and sporting clubs throughout the Northeast, drawing on decades of hands-on executive leadership to help clubs strengthen operations, governance, and long-term planning. His perspective is further enhanced by extensive volunteer leadership, including service on executive search committees and as Building & Grounds Chair and Club Treasurer. James holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University and a Master of Arts degree from Harvard University.
