General Manager

HR Genie; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

HR Genie is seeking a General Manager for a high-end safari lodge in Limpopo. You will lead all lodge operations, set strategic direction, manage budgets, and ensure luxury standards across accommodation, dining, guiding, and guest experiences.

You will build a high-performing team, drive revenue with occupancy and ADR targets, ensure safety and sustainability, and maintain the brand's reputation through stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in hospitality management or related field.
• 10–15 years hospitality experience with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience managing luxury safari lodges and remote operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual business plans aligned to the group's vision, strategic priorities, and financial objectives.
• Lead lodge operations across accommodation, food & beverage, guiding, guest activities, maintenance, and conservation interfaces.
• Align operational goals with brand positioning, guest experience targets, sustainability initiatives, and commercial objectives.
• Act as the primary liaison between the support office and lodge operations, ensuring effective communication and execution of business priorities.
• Maintain and promote the reputation and goodwill of the Company brand through hosting, industry engagement, and stakeholder relationship management.
• Lead the guest experience from reservation through departure, ensuring every guest interaction reflects luxury service standards.
• Oversee guest feedback channels and manage significant service recovery opportunities.
• Ensure guest experiences reflect wildlife, wilderness, conservation, and cultural offerings of Company, benchmarking against global luxury standards.
• Develop, manage, and report on annual budgets, forecasts, and performance; drive profitability through cost control and revenue optimization.
• Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain exceptional talent; conduct regular reviews and provide growth opportunities.
• Drive culture aligned with the Collection's purpose and values; support engagement and wellbeing initiatives.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Operational Excellence

Guest Experience

Financial Management

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Resilience

Problem Solving

Education

Diploma/ Degree in Hospitality Management

Job description

General Manager - High End Safari Lodge

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute annual business plans aligned to the group's vision, strategic priorities, and financial objectives.
• Lead all lodge operations, ensuring exceptional standards across accommodation, food and beverage, guiding, guest activities, maintenance, and conservation interfaces.
• Align operational goals with brand positioning, guest experience targets, sustainability initiatives, and commercial objectives.
• Act as the primary liaison between the support office and lodge operations, ensuring effective communication and execution of business priorities.
• Maintain and promote the reputation and goodwill of the Company brand through hosting, industry engagement, and stakeholder relationship management.

Guest Experience, Conservation & Brand Standards

• Lead the guest experience from reservation through departure, ensuring every guest interaction reflects the company luxury service standards.
• Maintain a visible presence within the operation, personally engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences.
• Oversee guest feedback channels and personally manage significant service recovery opportunities.
• Ensure all guest experiences authentically reflect the unique wildlife, wilderness, conservation, and cultural offerings of Company.
• Continuously benchmark against global luxury safari standards to drive innovation and excellence.

Financial Management & Commercial Performance

• Develop, manage, and report on annual budgets, forecasts, and operational performance.
• Drive profitability through effective cost control, revenue optimisation, and strategic resource allocation.
• Manage procurement, stock controls, and capital expenditure in accordance with company policies.
• Monitor key commercial metrics, including occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, concession spend, and guest satisfaction indicators.

Team Leadership, Succession & Culture

• Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain exceptional talent across all departments.
• Conduct regular departmental reviews, leadership meetings, and one-on-one discussions with direct reports.
• Foster a culture aligned with the company Collection's purpose and values.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and talent development initiatives across the lodge.
• Build leadership capability within the management team to ensure operational resilience and internal growth opportunities.
• Support employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives that strengthen team connection and performance.

Sales, Marketing & Revenue Generation

• Partner with central sales and marketing teams to maximise occupancy, yield, and guest experience opportunities.
• Support trade partner relationships, media visits, and hosted site inspections.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the positioning of Company within the luxury safari market.
• Collaborate on packages, partnerships, and experiences that enhance revenue generation and guest value.

Compliance, Safety & Sustainability

• Ensure compliance with all labour legislation, health and safety requirements, concession obligations, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee lodge maintenance and asset management programmes to protect the long-term value of the property.
• Ensure all operating procedures and brand standards are consistently implemented and audited.
• Champion responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices.
• Develop and maintain effective risk management plans relating to wildlife, guest safety, environmental factors, and operational continuity.

Conservation & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with conservation authorities, concession partners, neighbouring communities, and key stakeholders.
• Support conservation initiatives that enhance the environmental sustainability and long-term success of the reserve.
• Represent Company positively within the broader tourism, hospitality, and conservation sectors.
• Identify opportunities for meaningful community involvement, local economic development, and social impact partnerships.

Required Skills & Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Tourism Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10-15 years of hospitality experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience managing luxury safari lodges, remote hospitality operations, or equivalent luxury hospitality environments.
• Strong understanding of the Southern African luxury tourism and safari market.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial management capability.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams in remote operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of lodge systems, revenue management principles, compliance requirements, and health and safety legislation.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and people development skills.
• Guest-centric mindset with a passion for creating extraordinary experiences.
• Calm, resilient, and solution-oriented under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal capability.