Job Description

Closing Date: 2025-12-18
Job Type: Permanent
Job Level: Management
Experience: Between 5 - 7 Years
EE/AA: No
Summary
General Manager - Luxury Safari Lodge - Eastern Cape
Our client, a prestigious and internationally recognised luxury safari lodge in the Eastern Cape, is seeking an accomplished General Manager to lead the entire property. This senior leadership role requires a strategic, highly experienced hospitality professional with a strong understanding of high-end safari operations, exceptional guest service standards, and a proven ability to manage large multidisciplinary teams. The General Manager will oversee the full operation and report directly to the owner.
Description
The General Manager will be responsible for delivering world-class guest experiences, maintaining operational excellence, driving financial performance, and ensuring the property runs seamlessly across all departments. This position requires strong business acumen, a commitment to conservation-driven tourism, and the ability to represent the brand at the highest level. The ideal candidate is hands-on, solutions-driven, and passionate about creating an exceptional lodge environment for guests, staff, and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee full lodge operations including Front of House, Housekeeping, Guiding, F&B, Maintenance, HR, Finance, and Guest Experience.
• Drive service excellence standards and ensure that every guest receives a personalised, world-class stay.
• Lead, mentor, and develop department heads and staff across the property.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, financial reporting, procurement, and cost control.
• Maintain strong communication and alignment with the property owner.
• Uphold operational systems, policies, and health & safety standards.
• Oversee daily management meetings, SOPs, and strategic planning for the lodge.
• Monitor guest feedback, online reputation, and ensure effective service recovery.
• Work collaboratively with conservation management teams where required.
• Ensure all areas of the lodge are maintained to luxury lodge standards.
• Manage recruitment, performance management, and training across all departments.
• Represent the lodge at events, trade visits, and high-level engagements when required.

Salary: Market-related senior management package
Start Date: ASAP
Package Includes:

• Competitive senior management salary package.
• Live-in accommodation on the property.
• Meals on duty.
• Uniform.
• Outstanding career opportunity with a highly reputable luxury lodge group.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5-7 years' senior management experience in a luxury safari lodge or high-end hospitality environment.
• Proven experience in managing large teams and multi-departmental operations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong business understanding with the ability to manage budgets, financials, and strategic planning.
• Polished, guest-centric approach with the ability to engage high-profile international guests.
• Deep understanding of safari lodge operations, remote property management, and high-end service standards.
• Energetic, hands-on, solutions-driven, and calm under pressure.
• Strong administrative and organisational abilities.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Ability to live and work in a remote lodge environment.

Benefits
Live-in accommodation on the property. Meals on duty. Uniform.

Skills Required