KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Hotel Operations & Service Standards
- Oversee and manage the overall day-to-day operations of a 4-star hotel with 300+ rooms.
- Manage and coordinate all operational departments, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Maintenance, Security and Guest Services.
- Ensure consistently high levels of guest satisfaction by delivering service in accordance with the hotel's standards and implementing corrective measures where performance falls below the required standard.
- Direct, organise and control the efforts of staff to ensure service delivery meets company and hospitality industry expectations.
- Ensure employees are attentive to guests, accurately and promptly fulfil requests, understand and anticipate guest needs and demonstrate a service-focused attitude that exceeds expectations.
- Maintain a high level of product, property and service knowledge throughout the hotel.
- Maintain and enforce the required 4-star service, cleanliness, presentation and operational standards.
- Ensure all hotel policies, procedures, operating standards and the company's corporate code of conduct are consistently followed.
- Familiarise employees with and promote the company's vision, values and expected standards of behaviour.
- Perform any other duties appropriate to the level of the position as directed by senior management in support of business objectives.
Guest Relations
- Maintain a strong visible presence within the hotel and engage proactively with guests.
- Monitor guest satisfaction levels, feedback and reviews.
- Manage guest complaints professionally and ensure concerns are resolved promptly and appropriately.
- Identify recurring service concerns and implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Continuously identify opportunities to improve the overall guest experience.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, manage, motivate and develop departmental managers and employees.
- Create a positive, professional and performance-driven working environment.
- Manage and maintain a proactive Human Resources function in collaboration with HR.
- Ensure effective employee recruitment, selection, onboarding, motivation, training and development in accordance with company policies, procedures and applicable employment legislation.
- Recruit, train, coach and manage employees to maintain appropriate service and performance standards.
- Monitor staffing levels, productivity, attendance and payroll costs.
- Conduct staff appraisals and performance reviews and submit required reports to Human Resources.
- Address performance, disciplinary and employee-relations matters appropriately and in accordance with company procedures and legislation.
- Actively monitor employee satisfaction feedback and implement appropriate improvement actions.
- Promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities within the workplace.
- Conduct regular operational and staff communication meetings.
- Maintain effective communication at all levels of the organisation.
- Foster teamwork and the ability to work effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds, cultures and viewpoints.
Financial Management, Budgets & Profitability
- Support and implement the financial and operational plans of the hotel in line with the company's overall objectives.
- Develop, manage and monitor the hotel's annual operating budget.
- Manage operational expenditure and departmental costs.
- Review hotel financial and operational performance against budget and agreed targets.
- Monitor payroll, staffing costs and productivity.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability, productivity and operational efficiency.
- Ensure effective stock control, purchasing and supplier management.
- Monitor Food & Beverage performance, stock levels, wastage, margins and profitability.
- Prepare, review and analyse operational, financial and management reports.
- Work closely with senior management and/or owners regarding operational performance, financial results and strategic objectives.
Revenue, Sales & Business Development
- Take a proactive role in the sales and revenue-management functions of the hotel.
- Monitor room occupancy, average room rate, revenue performance and overall hotel results.
- Work closely with Reservations, Sales and other relevant departments to maximise occupancy, revenue and profitability.
- Identify opportunities to grow accommodation, Food & Beverage and other hotel revenue streams.
- Monitor local hospitality market activity and ensure the hotel remains competitive within the Mthatha market.
- Support initiatives aimed at increasing repeat business, customer loyalty and market share.
Property, Maintenance & Capital Expenditure
- Conduct regular physical inspections of the hotel property, guest rooms, public areas, operational areas and facilities.
- Ensure rooms, public spaces and facilities are maintained to the required quality and presentation standards.
- Identify repairs, maintenance requirements and potential capital expenditure needs through regular property inspections.
- Ensure preventative maintenance programmes are implemented, monitored and completed.
- Work closely with the Maintenance team to minimise downtime and protect the condition and value of hotel assets.
- Assist with planning and prioritising capital expenditure requirements.
Compliance, Health & Safety
- Ensure the hotel operates in compliance with all applicable statutory laws, regulations and hospitality requirements.
- Maintain compliance with applicable legislation, including but not limited to the:Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) Labour Relations Act (LRA) Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) Liquor Act Fire, security and other applicable hospitality regulations.
- Ensure appropriate health, safety, fire and security procedures are implemented and maintained.
- Ensure employees understand and comply with company policies, statutory requirements and operating procedures.
REQUIREMENTS
- Relevant qualification in Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Tourism or a related field will be advantageous.
- Minimum 5 years' hotel management experience in a senior operational position.
- Previous experience as a Hotel Manager, Operations Manager, Deputy General Manager or General Manager is preferred.
- Proven experience within a 4-star hotel environment is essential .
- Experience managing a large hotel or property, preferably 200+ rooms .
- Previous experience within a 300+ room hotel will be highly advantageous .
- Strong operational knowledge of:Front Office Housekeeping Food & Beverage Guest Services Maintenance Security General hotel operations
- Strong financial, budgeting and cost-control experience.
- Good understanding of hotel revenue management, occupancy, average room rates and profitability.
- Proven experience managing large teams and departmental managers.
- Strong leadership and people-management ability.
- Excellent guest-relations and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and operational planning ability.
- Computer literate with experience using hotel and/or property management systems.
- Ability to analyse operational and financial reports and take appropriate corrective action.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure within a busy hospitality environment.
- Ability to work successfully as part of a diverse team.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays, when operationally required.
- Must be willing to be based in Mthatha or relocate to Mthatha, Eastern Cape .
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Leadership and team management
- Hotel operations management
- Guest service excellence
- Financial and budget management
- Revenue management and cost control
- Sales and commercial awareness
- Staff development and performance management
- Operational planning and organisation
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Conflict resolution
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Commercial and financial awareness
- Ability to manage multiple departments simultaneously
- Ability to work under pressure
- Strong accountability and follow-through
- Adaptability and teamwork