Country General Manager

HotelJobs; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,916,000 - 3,992,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs is seeking a seasoned COUNTRY GENERAL MANAGER to lead the operational function of its Tanzania business, overseeing camps, lodges, a DMC, logistics, fleet and procurement. This is a senior leadership role demanding deep experience in luxury safari or lodge operations across a remote environment.

The successful candidate will manage budgets, drive operational excellence, mentor regional teams and ensure exceptional guest experiences across all sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, hospitality, tourism or finance.
• 10+ years leadership experience in hospitality or tourism.
• 8+ years in senior multi-site operations leadership.
• Experience in East Africa is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational execution of Tanzania business per Group strategy.
• Oversee camps, lodges, DMC, logistics, fleet and procurement.
• Develop and implement annual operating plans and budgets.
• Own and manage annual operating budget to protect margins.
• Oversee CAPEX planning across properties.
• Ensure procurement and stock management procedures.
• Mentor and develop senior management teams with Group HR.
• Build local leadership capacity and succession planning.
• Safeguard consistent guest experience and property presentation.
• Represent the company with communities, authorities and stakeholders.
• Oversee CSR, conservation and sustainability initiatives.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reports for Head of Operations.
• Ensure compliance with local laws and governance frameworks.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-site operations management

Financial management

Strategic planning

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management

MBA or postgraduate qualification

Job description

A collection of luxury tented camps and lodges is seeking a seasoned and commercially astute COUNTRY GENERAL MANAGER to lead the operational function of its Tanzania business. This is a senior leadership role for someone with deep experience running multi-site luxury hospitality operations across a remote and complex environment. The successful candidate will oversee camps, lodges, a destination management company, logistics, fleet and procurement as one integrated business, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence throughout.

Core Criteria:

• Minimum 10 years' leadership experience in hospitality or tourism
• At least 8 years in a senior role managing multi-site operations
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Tourism, Finance or a related field
• Extensive experience within the luxury safari or lodge sector
• Experience overseeing an inbound DMC or integrated tourism business highly desirable
• Strong commercial, financial and operational management expertise
• Proven ability to lead geographically dispersed teams
• Track record of driving organisational change and operational excellence
• Experience working in East Africa highly advantageous
• MBA or postgraduate qualification an advantage
• Preference given to candidates based in or from East Africa

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead the operational execution of the Tanzania business in line with Group strategy
• Provide executive oversight of all operational functions, including camps, lodges, DMC, logistics, fleet and procurement
• Develop and implement annual operating plans and budgets for approval
• Own and manage the annual operating budget, working with departmental heads to protect margins
• Oversee CAPEX planning and implementation across properties
• Ensure sound procurement and stock management procedures across the business
• Mentor and develop senior management teams in collaboration with Group HR
• Build local leadership capacity and support succession planning
• Safeguard consistent guest experience, service standards and property presentation across all sites
• Represent the company with local communities, authorities and industry stakeholders
• Oversee CSR, conservation and sustainability initiatives
• Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reports for the Head of Operations and Executive Committee
• Ensure compliance with local laws, regulations and company governance frameworks

On Offer:

• Market related salary, negotiable depending on experience
• Live-out position: no accommodation provided
• Based in Arusha, Tanzania
• Immediate start
• Preference given to East African residents/candidates