General Manager (Nature Reserve) - Limpopo

Hc Recruit; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

HC Recruit invites applications for the General Manager (Nature Reserve) based in Limpopo. The role oversees core conservation strategy and organizational management, translating governance mandates and stakeholder input into actionable plans, budgets, and measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities include finalising the Management Plan, maintaining auditable records, and coordinating annual work plans with allocated owners and budgets.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in ecology, conservation science, environmental science or natural resource management.
• Management experience in a conservation, environmental or research organisation answerable to multiple landowners, members or partners.
• Experience reporting to a board or an elected committee of volunteers.
• Working knowledge of South African environmental law and protected-area governance (NEMA, NEM:PAA, NEM:BA, provincial permitting).
• High emotional intelligence
• Proven ability to maintain strict impartiality when managing conflicting stakeholder priorities.
• Governance discipline: registers, permits, compliance evidence and auditable records.

Responsibilities

• Translate Executive Committee priorities into a structured annual work plan with owners, milestones and budgets backed by evidence.
• Finalize the approval of the Management Plan and ensure all statutory/permit/contractual records are auditable.
• Cultivate partnerships with member regions, community landowners, regulatory bodies and Greater Kruger partners; standardise permit administration and off-take agreements.
• Formalise vendor and service agreements with providers through clear contracts and reporting structures.

Job description

DBN000401 - General Manager (Nature Reserve) - Limpopo

Position Purpose

To oversee core conservation strategy and organizational management. This pivotal role translates strategic conservation goals, scientific data, governance mandates, and member feedback into actionable operational plans, budgets, and measurable outcomes.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

1. A tertiary qualification in ecology, conservation science, environmental science or natural resource management.
2. Management experience in a conservation, environmental or research organisation answerable to multiple landowners, members or partners.
3. Experience reporting to a board or an elected committee of volunteers.
4. Working knowledge of South African environmental law and protected-area governance (NEMA, NEM:PAA, NEM:BA, provincial permitting).
5. High emotional intelligence
6. Proven ability to maintain strict impartiality when managing conflicting stakeholder priorities.
7. Governance discipline: registers, permits, compliance evidence and auditable records.

Technical Competencies & Experience:

1. Management Plan & Compliance: Finalise the approval of the Management Plan and assume accountability for transitional work-in-progress. Elevate all statutory, permit, declaration, and contractual records to a fully compliant, auditable standard.
2. Operational Planning & Execution: Translate Executive Committee priorities into a structured annual work plan complete with assigned owners, milestones, and dedicated budgets, ensuring all completions are backed by verifiable evidence.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Administration: Cultivate strong collaborative partnerships with member regions, the community landowners, regulatory bodies, and Greater Kruger partners. Standardise permit administration and off-take agreements into a formalized, documented annual cycle.
4. Vendor & Service Management: Secure and formalise agreements with security, research, and administrative service providers through clear contractual frameworks, establishing rigorous reporting structures and performance review mechanisms.

Behavioural Competencies:

1. Strategic Leadership & Diversity Management
2. Stakeholder Relationship Building
3. Target-Driven & Commercial Acumen
4. Advanced Communication & Interpersonal Skills
5. Crisis Management & Resilience
6. Proactive Problem Solving

Please Note - Should you not hear back from us within the next 2 weeks, please consider your application as unsuccessful.