Job Description

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Please be aware that only candidates who have completed our online-assessment will have their applications reviewed - kindly find all details at the bottom of this post - thank you.

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Team Lead Operations

Are you a visionary leader with an outstanding talent for strategic planning, operational excellence and impeccable attention to detail? Do you thrive on transforming challenges into opportunities and have a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences? If so, this leadership position might be the perfect opportunity for you!

What We Do at Kumi and Why

Specialising in the vacation rental business, our purpose goes way beyond successfully managing rental properties and beautiful holiday homes along the Atlantic Seaboard. At Kumi, with a team of highly motivated and passionate people, we turn houses into homes and vacations into unforgettable memories, enriching the lives of our guests, homeowners and ourselves.

Our space at Kumi is inclusive, where everyone feels valued and safe to be themselves. We support each other to grow and learn every day, ensuring that work brings purpose and fulfilment to our lives. By joining Kumi, you will be part of a journey that goes beyond professional success, contributing to a legacy of mindful luxury and sustainable excellence.

Your Role & Impact

As the Team Lead of our Operations, you will be the driving force behind our operational success, ensuring that our guesthouses and managed properties are run efficiently and not just meet but exceed guest and owners expectations. You will lead a dynamic and diverse team, drive strategic initiatives, and embed a culture of continuous improvement and striving.

Note: This full-time, permanent position provides flexible hours but requires adaptability to the demands of the hospitality industry, including long hours and being on call 24/7 at times. It is based in Camps Bay, Cape Town, and requires your own reliable transportation and valid driver's license.

Your Unique Profile

Minimum of 3 years of proven leadership experience in hospitality management, with a track record of driving operational success. Strong strategic planning abilities, coupled with exceptional organisational skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and engage a diverse team and an unwavering people-first approach. Collaborative spirit and committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued, safe and empowered. Tech-savvy, comfortable in Google Workspace, with a general understanding of OTA marketing and Property Management Systems. Digitally agile, with the ability to adapt to and leverage new tools and technologies effectively. Adept at problem-solving and thinking creatively to deal with any challenges. Flexible, energetic, and ready to handle the demands of a fast-paced environment while not losing sight of priorities. Highly conscientious and responsible with great capacity for critical thinking. Strong dedication to continuously look for improvement opportunities. High integrity, unwavering honesty, reliability and a dynamic can-do attitude. Hands on approach and willingness to serve in multiple capacities with entrepreneurial spirit. Relentless commitment, passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences and embracing challenges with a proactive, open-minded and solutions-driven way of thinking.

Rather than just fitting into our vibrant culture, you want to contribute and help us build upon it. While technical skills matter, we hire individuals who unify the qualities and attributes to thrive in a care-for-and-help-each-other environment where personal growth and the wellbeing of everyone involved is paramount.

Your Key Responsibilities

Operational Oversight:

Manage and actively participate in all operational aspects of our guesthouse and property portfolio, ensuring seamless and efficient processes, demonstrating a hands on approach.

Team Leadership:

Lead, mentor, and inspire a team to achieve operational excellence and uphold high-quality standards.

Compliance Management:

Ensure compliance with all reservation systems, policies, and procedures, maintaining an impeccable standard across the portfolio.

Project Management:

Strategically manage property maintenance, refurbishing, and repair projects, ensuring highest quality and timeliness.

Partnerships:

Collaborate with external partners such as suppliers, travel agencies, and vendors to optimise service delivery, enhance cost efficiency, and ensure long-lasting, valuable relationships.

Customer Experience:

Analyse customer feedback and online reviews, implementing improvement strategies to drive guest satisfaction.

Revenue Optimisation

: Work closely with our Revenue Manager to enhance performance on booking and advertising platforms, maximising occupancy and revenue targets.

System Improvement:

Innovate and improve internal systems, SOPs, and documentation processes to ensure efficiency, consistency, and scalability. Demonstrate a strong understanding of the paramount importance of these systems in driving operational excellence and growth!

Digital Transformation:

Identify, evaluate, and implement digital tools and solutions to streamline workflows, drive collaboration, and ensure Kumi remains at the forefront of using new technologies in their most efficient ways to benefit the department effectively.

Financial Management:

collaborate closely with our Business Support section to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial reports to ensure financial health and sustainability.

Risk Management:

Identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the safety and security of guests and staff.

Guest Relations:

Work closely with our Guest Relation and Reservation Manager to nurture strong relationships with guests, addressing concerns and feedback promptly to enhance loyalty and repeat business.

Sustainability Initiatives:

Lead efforts to incorporate sustainable practices into operations, aligning with the company's commitment to mindful luxury.

Regular Reporting:

Provide updates, insights, and performance reports to executive management, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and facilitating informed decision-making.

Training and Development:

Implement training programs to enhance team skills and knowledge, promoting continuous professional and personal development.

Strategic Planning:

Develop and implement strategic plans to continuously enhance guest experience, operational efficiency, and business growth, while being directly involved in execution and working closely with the team.

What's in it For You

Strategic influence and immediate impact Work with purpose and vision Growth and development opportunities as a leader Celebrating creativity and initiative
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The Application Process:

Our hiring procedures are designed to find individuals who resonate deeply with our values and vision. Here's how it works:

1) Online Assessment:

Start by taking our 1.5 hr online-assessment which focuses on evaluating both your technical skills and personal competencies to ensure a holistic match.

Use this link to start the assessment process:

https://app.testgorilla.com/s/osmkwlq0

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PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ONLY CANDIDATES WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE ASSESSMENT WILL HAVE THEIR APPLICATIONS REVIEWED.

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2) CV and Motivational Letter Submission:

After completing the assessment, please

upload your updated CV and a detailed motivational letter to Indeed

. The motivational letter is crucial as it helps us understand your desire to work with us, who you are, what your values are, and how they align with ours.

Candidates who do not submit a motivational letter will not be considered.

Make sure both documents are uploaded for your application to be reviewed.

Letter Guidelines:

Begin with "Why" you want to join Kumi and work with us. Let us know what your priorities in life are, what inspires you. Tell us about your personal competencies and aspirations. Ensure your letter is no more than 3500 characters.

3) Value Determination:

Once you have passed the assessment and submitted your CV and motivational letter to us, we will ask you to go through the Demartini Value Determination process and share your results with us.

4) Personal Interview:

If we see a strong alignment, we'll invite you to a personal interview (in Camps Bay or remote in case you are currently outside the Western Cape). During our interview, we will:

Discuss your results from the assessments and value determination process in detail. Explore your previous experiences and how they have shaped your professional journey. Delve into your understanding of our values and vision, and how you see yourself contributing to our culture and business goals. Answer any questions you may have about the role, the team, and our company. Provide a platform for you to showcase your unique qualities and how they align with the position you're applying for.
The personal interview is a two-way conversation where we both assess the fit and potential for mutual growth and success.

5) Final Steps & Timeline:

Following the interview, we will consider your full profile and proceed with the final decision. We aim to complete the entire process within 2-3 weeks.

We wish you best of luck! Let's make it happen!

Your Kumi Team

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

Cape Town, Western Cape: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Application Question(s):

Do you have your own reliable transport and a valid driver's license? Are you comfortable working long, flexible hours, being on call 24/7 and managing operations in a fast-paced environment without losing sight of priorities? Would you be able to start this position immediately? Are you ready to participate in our comprehensive hiring process? You will start with our 1.5 hour online-assessment (SEE LINK IN JOB DESCRIPTION), followed by a value determination exercise, and a personal interview. Additionally, we ask you to submit your updated CV along with a detailed motivational letter explaining why you're interested in this role and in joining Kumi. We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to our team! PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ONLY CANDIDATES WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE ASSESSMENT WILL HAVE THEIR APPLICATIONS REVIEWED.
Experience:

proven leadership in hospitality management or similar field: 3 years (Required)
Application Deadline: 2025/08/04