Assistant Front Office Manager

Obrien Recruitment; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Obrien Recruitment is seeking an experienced Assistant Front Office Manager in Cape Town who will lead daily Front Office operations and ensure exceptional guest service. You will oversee a team of about 20 and coordinate with Housekeeping and other departments to maintain smooth check-ins, registrations, and room allocations.

Ideal candidates have 3–4 years in Front Office, proven leadership, strong communication skills, and proficiency with Opera Cloud, Micros, and Microsoft 365.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years’ experience in Front Office or hospitality.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong guest relations and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Opera Cloud, Micros, and Microsoft 365.
• Knowledge of cash handling procedures and safety protocols.
• Ability to remain calm and organized in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all Front Office staff and daily operations.
• Coordinate front desk, luggage services and guest registration.
• Manage room availability and allocations with Housekeeping.
• Maintain high guest service standards.
• Serve as liaison between Front Office and other departments.
• Lead, motivate and develop a ~20-person team.
• Monitor Front Office cash handling and reporting.
• Utilize Opera Cloud, Micros and Microsoft 365 for daily tasks.

Skills

Leadership

Guest relations

Communication

Cash handling

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Service mindset

Tools

Opera Cloud

Micros

Microsoft 365

Job description

Location: Cape Town, Newlands
Employment Type: Full-time

Lead the guest experience from the front

Are you a passionate hospitality professional with strong leadership skills and a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences?
Our client is looking for an experienced Assistant Front Office Manager to take the lead in overseeing daily Front Office operations, ensuring seamless service, high-performing teams, and smooth coordination across the hotel.
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and service-driven hospitality professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys leading people, and takes pride in operational excellence.

Your key responsibilities

Front Office Operations

• Overseeing all Front Office staff and daily operational activities
• Ensuring smooth and efficient front desk, luggage services, and guest registration processes
• Managing room availability, occupancy, and room allocations in collaboration with Housekeeping
• Ensuring personalised and consistently high levels of guest service
• Acting as a central communication point between Front Office and other hotel departments
• Providing operational support to Heads of Department
• Managing Front Office administration, reporting, and documentation

Guest Experience

• Handling guest enquiries, complaints, and requests promptly and professionally
• Building positive guest relationships and ensuring individual needs are addressed
• Monitoring and maintaining high service standards to maximise guest satisfaction
• Identifying opportunities to enhance the overall guest experience

Leadership and Team Management

• Leading, motivating, and managing a team of approximately 20 employees
• Coordinating staff schedules, shift rosters, and resource allocation
• Conducting performance management and supporting staff development initiatives
• Fostering a positive, professional, and service-focused team environment

Financial and Operational Control

• Monitoring cash handling, floats, and staff refunds
• Ensuring compliance with departmental procedures, policies, and operational standards
• Monitoring Front Office systems and processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency
• Collaborating with Security to maintain a safe and secure environment

Systems and Administration

• Utilising Opera Cloud, Micros, Microsoft 365, and other operational systems effectively
• Maintaining accurate departmental records and documentation
• Supporting reporting requirements and ensuring all Front Office administration is completed efficiently

What you’ll need

• 3–4 years’ experience in a similar Front Office or hospitality environment
• Proven leadership and team management experience
• Strong guest relations and communication skills
• Proficiency in Opera Cloud, Micros, and Microsoft 365
• Sound knowledge of Front Office operational procedures and cash management
• Strong understanding of hospitality service standards and guest experience
• Knowledge of cash handling procedures and workplace safety protocols
• Ability to remain calm, organised, and effective in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent attention to detail and strong problem-solving abilities
• A professional, service-driven approach with the ability to lead by example