General Manager: Hospitality

Craven Cottage CC; Franschhoek; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC in Franschhoek Estate seeks an experienced General Manager to lead hospitality operations and guest experiences. You will drive revenue, oversee F&B, events, accommodation and guest services while upholding luxury standards.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong commercial judgement and a proven ability to develop teams, optimize budgets and partner with the estate on growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in multi-unit or estate-style hospitality.
• Minimum 10–12 years in hospitality operations.
• Minimum 5 years in senior leadership roles (GM/Operations Director).
• Experience overseeing F&B, events, accommodation and guest services.
• Strong sales and marketing background essential.
• Proven track record in revenue, cost and profitability management.
• Experience in luxury/premium hospitality environments advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across all hospitality outlets and support functions.
• Maintain consistent standards of service, presentation and guest care.
• Ensure departments work together to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Protect brand standards and implement improvements to operational efficiency.
• Oversee reservations and monitor service delivery estate-wide.

Skills

Leadership

Revenue management

Stakeholder management

Sales & marketing

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management

Job description

Duties

Hospitality Operations & Guest Experience

• Provide leadership across all hospitality outlets and support functions.
• Maintain consistent standards of service, presentation and guest care.
• Ensure departments work together to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Protect brand standards and implement practical improvements to operational efficiency.
• Oversee reservations and monitor service delivery across the estate.

Financial Performance & Revenue

• Take accountability for hospitality revenue, profitability and operating costs.
• Manage budgets and monitor departmental performance against targets.
• Work closely with the Commercial Revenue Manager on pricing, forecasting and revenue optimisation.
• Drive occupancy, direct bookings, wine sales, restaurant covers, events revenue and padel club participation.
• Identify opportunities to increase guest spend and improve commercial performance.
• Maintain effective inventory, procurement and asset controls.

Sales, Marketing & Business Development

• Develop and implement sales initiatives, marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
• Build strategic partnerships and relationships with the tourism trade.
• Oversee digital marketing strategies and guest loyalty initiatives.
• Use the estate’s varied offerings to increase visitation, brand awareness and repeat business.
• Identify new business opportunities and contribute to hospitality development and opening projects.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop departmental managers and hospitality teams.
• Set clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable for results.
• Promote respectful communication, collaboration and a positive workplace culture.
• Support staff engagement, talent development and retention.
• Manage multiple departments, projects and priorities effectively.

Compliance, Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure hospitality operations comply with applicable safety, legal and operational requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, controls and audit readiness.
• Identify operational risks and protect estate assets.
• Deliver projects and improvements that strengthen revenue, efficiency and guest experience while minimising disruption.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration or a related field, and/or relevant certification in Hospitality, Food and Beverage or Event Management.
• At least 10–12 years’ experience in hospitality operations, ideally within a multi-unit or estate-style environment.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior leadership, executive management, General Manager, Operations Director or equivalent role.
• Experience overseeing multiple hospitality departments, including food and beverage, events, accommodation, guest services, wine tasting and/or leisure operations.
• A strong sales and marketing background is essential.
• Proven ability to manage revenue, costs, profitability and operational performance.
• Experience in luxury, boutique, wine estate or premium hospitality environments would be advantageous.
• A proven track record in hospitality development, implementation and opening operations.
• Strong commercial judgement and an entrepreneurial approach.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong planning, organisation and problem-solving abilities.
• A hands-on, detail-focused approach with high service standards.
• Resilience and flexibility to manage seasonal demands and changing priorities.