General Manager

HotelJobs; Magaliesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site accommodation

Family accommodation

Profit share

Job summary

HotelJobs is seeking an experienced General Manager to take overall responsibility for two established safari lodges in Magaliesburg. You will lead approximately 120 employees, drive profitability, guest satisfaction and strategic direction of the operation.

The role requires a commercially minded hospitality leader with strong operational skills who can build a high‑performing team, foster a guest‑centric culture and identify opportunities for growth and innovative experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ hospitality experience.
• Senior management experience in a lodge or similar hospitality operation.
• Previous General Manager experience required.
• Strong commercial, operational and leadership skills.
• Experience with financial performance and revenue forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of two lodges.
• Maintain exceptional service and guest standards across properties.
• Drive profitability and revenue growth through forecasting and cost control.
• Build a strong, accountable leadership team of ~120 staff.
• Identify opportunities to enhance guest experiences and lodge offerings.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

Financial management

Operations management

Guest experience

Team development

Strategic planning

Job description

Position Overview

The General Manager will take overall responsibility for the successful operation, performance and strategic direction of two established safari lodges within a private reserve in Magaliesburg. The role requires an experienced hospitality leader who is commercially minded, operationally strong and passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences. The successful candidate will lead a team of approximately 120 employees and will be responsible for driving profitability, revenue growth, operational excellence and team performance. The General Manager will lead from the front, take ownership of the overall guest experience and identify opportunities to improve and grow the lodge offering.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of both lodges.
• Maintain exceptional operational, service and guest standards.
• Ensure all departments operate efficiently and consistently.
• Take ownership of operational performance and resolve challenges decisively.
• Lead from the front and maintain a visible presence across the lodges.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and the overall guest offering.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Drive profitability, revenue growth and overall business performance.
• Monitor and improve cost control across the operations.
• Work closely with Reservations and Sales to increase occupancy and revenue.
• Understand and manage financial performance and revenue forecasting.
• Identify and pursue new commercial opportunities.
• Measure the financial and operational impact of new initiatives and improvements.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and manage a team of approximately 120 employees.
• Build a strong, engaged and accountable team culture.
• Develop employees and strengthen departmental performance.
• Drive accountability and ensure performance expectations are consistently met.
• Address team challenges proactively and improve cohesion and performance.
• Lead by example and create a positive, professional working environment.

Guest Experience & Product Development

• Ensure an exceptional and consistent guest experience across both properties.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the lodge offering.
• Drive innovation and introduce new guest experiences.
• Develop creative initiatives that support both guest satisfaction and business performance.
• Maintain a guest-focused and approachable leadership style.

Growth & Innovation

• Identify opportunities for business growth and improved profitability.
• Develop and implement new ideas, experiences and commercial initiatives.
• Evaluate the business impact of new initiatives.
• Continuously look for ways to improve revenue, operational performance and the overall guest offering.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years’ hospitality experience .
• Proven senior management experience within a lodge or similar hospitality operation.
• Previous GeneralManager experience is required .
• Exceptional Deputy General Managers or Operations Managers may be considered.
• Strong commercial, operational and leadership skills.
• Sound understanding of financial management.
• Experience with financial performance and revenue forecasting.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a large hospitality team.
• Strong understanding of guest experience and operational standards.

Key Competencies & Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will be:

• Decisive and resilient.
• Solution-driven and able to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Creative and entrepreneurial.
• Guest-focused and approachable.
• A strong people leader.
• Skilled at developing employees and driving accountability.
• Commercially minded and results-oriented.
• Operationally hands-on.
• Passionate about hospitality and guest experience.
• Able to identify opportunities for innovation and business growth.
• Confident managing a large team and complex hospitality operation.

Performance Expectations

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Leadership: Experience managing a significant hospitality operation and large team.
• Results: A measurable improvement in profitability, revenue or operational performance achieved in a previous role.
• People: Experience improving team culture, performance or cohesion, particularly within a challenging environment.
• Innovation: Examples of new ideas, guest experiences or initiatives introduced and their resulting business impact.
• Readiness: Demonstrated readiness to take overall responsibility for two established safari lodge operations.

What Is Offered

• Performance-linked profit share.
• On-site accommodation.
• Family accommodation can be arranged.
• Opportunity to lead two established safari lodge operations.
• Opportunity to lead a hospitality team of approximately 120 employees.
• A senior leadership position with significant responsibility for growth, profitability and operational performance.