General Manager

Craven Cottage CC; Thabazimbi; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee monthly property operations and uphold brand standards across the wildlife property.

The role requires 3–5 years of management experience in a similar wildlife setting, with strong leadership and guest experience focus. You will develop staff, manage performance, and coordinate with leadership while maintaining excellent stakeholder relations.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 and a formal hospitality qualification are required.
• 3–5 years minimum management experience in operation of a wildlife setting.
• Strong communication, leadership and people management skills.
• Proactive with a focus on guest experience and standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all monthly property operations and ensure brand standards at property level.
• Attend Leadership team meetings and host site inspections, interacting with the market and journalists.
• Develop staff, implement training and facilitate internal/external trainers.
• Drive performance management and KPI alignment with HODs and managers.
• Foster community partnerships and maintain a strong guest experience across the property.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team player

Time management

Problem solving

Customer service

Proactive

Budgeting

Staff development

MS Office

Education

Grade 12

Hospitality qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Duties:

General Management:

• Oversee all monthly property operations.
• Attend meetings with Leadership team as required.
• Maintain and ensure the good will of the brand at property level.
• Act as key ambassador including hosting site Inspections, communicating with the market and hosting journalists.
• Ensure the developed and property standards are upheld and maintained.
• Ensure the management personnel of the property is up to the standard, ensuring a streamlined and effective management structure in line with hospitality trends.
• Ensure effective monthly departmental meetings take place, accurate minutes are taken and follow ups completed.
• Have monthly one on one meetings with all managers and HODs reporting directly.
• Assist in achieving the best procurement agreements for the property
• Keep the property innovative in its guest experience and up to date with both competitor offerings and current trends in the hospitality industry.
• Be readily available to deal with all guest queries and complaints.

Development & Staff Management:

• Earmark and develop individuals who show potential to grow into higher positions
• Implement training and facilitate the use of appointed internal and external trainers.
• Assist in facilitating cross property training for employees
• Provide effective leadership through professional management and encouragement of all subordinates
• Take part in regular operations forums with the intention of aligning the management teams and ensuring optimized teamwork and collaboration.

Performance Management:

• Drive and monitor the effective implementation and execution of Performance Management and Succession Planning processes.
• Drive and run the effective implementation of the Performance Management system.
• In liaison with senior management and HODs, define mandated company/property KPIs.
• In liaison with HODs, define personal KPIs for each staff member, according to the KPI requirements.
• Plan, organize and attend Performance Planning discussions and Performance Reviews, ensuring that the correct process is followed.
• Carry out regular, meaningful performance appraisals conducted in such a manner that effective, open, two-way communication is maintained.

Community:

• Establish and support community partnerships ensuring that the property is consistently presented in a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders.

Requirements:

• Grade 12
• A formal hospitality qualification
• At least 3 - 5 years minimum management experience in operation of similar size and complexity within a wildlife setting.
• Sound knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• Valid Code 08 driver’s license and own reliable transport essential.
• Unrelenting attention to detail and high standards, excellent hygiene principles
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), practicing honest communication.
• Team player with positive attitude, enthusiasm, and emotional control.
• Excellent time management and self-discipline, interpersonal & problem-solving skills.
• Proactive, use initiative and creative flair when required.
• Committed and loyal, adaptable, and flexible.
• Must work accurately under pressure.
• People skills tolerance, patience, and care.
• Leadership skills with passion for development and skills transfer.
• Strong financial acumen and computer literacy. Experience with monthly financial reporting and budgeting critical.
• Energetic, proactive person who understands the Guest Experience and is able to continue developing this to an exceptional standard to ensure ongoing guest satisfaction.
• Aware, disciplined, consistent, compassionate, respectable, good communication.
• Passionate about sustainable tourism and conservation.