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Jr 16391 - General Manager (Game Lodge)

Professional Career Services

Wes-Kaap

On-site

ZAR 600,000 - 750,000

Full time

Today
Be an early applicant

Job summary

A prestigious game reserve in the Western Cape is seeking an experienced General Manager to manage all operations and ensure the highest service levels at their 5-star lodge. Responsibilities include overseeing staff, managing finances, and driving guest satisfaction. Applicants should possess at least 5 years of relevant experience and demonstrate a strategic mindset coupled with a commitment to upholding premium standards.

Benefits

Accommodation

Qualifications

  • At least 5 years GM experience in a 5-star game lodge.
  • Ability to fine tune standards to 5-star.
  • Strategic mindset and corporate understanding.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee all lodge operations and staff management.
  • Ensure high standards of guest services and satisfaction.
  • Manage finances and staffing efficiently.

Skills

Game lodge management
Staff training and development
Financial management
Strategic planning
Guest relations management

Education

Relevant Hospitality Management qualification
Job description
Employer Description

Stunning 5* big 5 game lodge that sleeps 28 pax in Western Cape

Job Description

Seeking an experienced General Manager for a Big Five Private Game Reserve within the Western Cape. Exclusive upmarket private 14 bed lodge that offers a wilderness/game experience to overnight FIT and tour operator lodge guests and activity-based tourism/game drives and lunches to tour operator/bus groups and FITs. The Housekeeping and Food and Beverage Functions have to be maintained at the highest level as do the product offerings (accommodation/main lodge/bar/curio shop/game drives and excursions). The over-all running and management of the operation will be the responsibility of the General Manager, who will report directly to the shareholder/owners.

Responsibilities

Game Farm management

  • Must have a basic understanding of game farm management principles and must be able to identify problems/concerns in the following areas and task work teams accordingly:
  • Fence checks and boundary lines
  • Road maintenance
  • Game management and carrying capacity
  • Water supply and boreholes
  • Gardens around living zones
  • Maintenance and Vehicle Control
  • Must be able to identify areas in the lodge where maintenance is required
  • Ensure that standard and functionality of all lodge infrastructure is maintained (both in guest and staff areas)
  • Have a basic understanding of constructions/maintenance principles and provide working, long-term solutions to maintenance problems in the lodge
  • All materials/contractors required for maintenance need to be costed and approved by owners
  • Oversee the Vehicle Maintenance, Vehicle presentation and use of
  • Safety and security
  • Ensure adherence and understanding to Fire, Hygiene, Health and Safety
  • Reduce accidents and ensure that all safety hazards are addressed and potential problems communicated to the owner
  • Scheduling of security staff – duties and responsibilities
  • Develop and enforce lodge security systems
  • Continual monitoring of security cameras and alarm systems
  • Food and beverage
  • Replenishment planning
  • Oversee standard of food/drink as well as presentation (table/food/special occasion) to ensure lodge standards are maintained
  • Knowledge and experience of overall hospitality operations/Food and Beverage
  • Finance/Admin
  • Ensure the correct and timeous completion of all weekly/monthly financial reports and send them to owner
  • Monitor and ensure that all payments received from guests are allocated and posted correctly – cash, card and eft payments must all be accounted for
  • Ensure that all invoices are batched correctly and sent to the admin/support office for payment
  • Check and sign-off Petty Cash Monitor
  • Compile financial reports and report any irregularities to the owner
  • Ensure monthly gratuities are allocated correctly – must be signed off, summarized and forwarded to the payroll office at month end
  • Manage and control all purchasing for lodge – purchase orders and invoicing
  • Control and issue all food and beverage stocks/linen/general lodge supplies
  • Manage all stock takes and month end reports/consolidations
  • Contribute to the creation, implementation and monitoring of budget throughout the organization
  • Effective financial management through the administration of orders and effective stock control
  • Manage and control inventory stock and compile Lodge monthly report
  • Staffing, HR and Uniforms
  • Planning and management of staff rosters and leave schedule
  • Staff training and development throughout all departments – where required
  • Managing lodge processes, staff scheduling and monitoring thereof
  • Conduct staff disciplinary meetings and carry out disciplinary procedures
  • Assistance in management of salaries, provident fund, medical aid
  • Update and maintain staff files
  • Day-to-day staffing of Front of House (FOH) as per guest requirements*
  • Identify staff training requirements and try find ways to empower staff within company structure to add value back into the company
  • Play a strong role in contributing to the direction and culture of the organization
  • Training, mentoring and monitoring of middle management
  • Provide effective leadership through professional management and encouragement of all subordinates
  • Demonstrate and promote flexibility and adaptability towards changing working hours and shifts according to the requirements of a 24-hour operation
  • Communicate effectively, frequently and respectfully with all members of the organization/staff team
  • Housekeeping and Maintaining of Corporate Identity – oversee this function
  • Regular and thorough checks of rooms/units to ensure that housekeeping standards are maintained
  • Log all guest complaints/suggestions regarding housekeeping and make changes accordingly
  • Management of daily linen and laundry
  • Housekeeping team management, allocation of duties and creation of schedules
  • Ensure that all lodge areas – front and back of house (FOH/BOH) are always clean and organized and that all equipment/infrastructure is maintained and to standard
  • Maintain the highest standards of housekeeping and maintenance and ensure that the style and design of the lodge is not eroded
  • Guest relations
  • Coordinate all guest events and daily lodge operations
  • Be readily available to deal with guest queries and complaints
  • Respond professionally to complaints – with a pleasant and helpful attitude
  • Use feedback from complaints/conversations with guests as a learning experience and a platform for constructive discussion
  • Drive and maintain superior levels of guest service and guest satisfaction
  • Play a key role in interacting with guests regularly to ensure that all aspects of a guests’ stay are being catered to
  • All pertinent information relating to guest requests or complaints must be filtered to the relevant department heads timeously
  • Marketing and Product Development
  • Oversee the ongoing collection and creation of marketing material in the lodge – in all media forms
  • Oversee quality and accuracy of outgoing marketing content from the lodge
  • Continual checking of external booking platforms to ensure that the lodge receives notification and payments for bookings made via external platforms
  • Continual checking of correct company information on third party websites to ensure accuracy and follow-through of referral bookings
  • Continual monitoring of social media platforms for “false news” or negative feedback regarding the lodge/company
  • Continual communication to the website host to ensure that website is updated continuously with relevant news/announcements/information
  • Ensure that all signage on the property and surrounds is vivid and up to date with the correct information and recent content/photographs
  • Formulate and network with neighboring lodges and tourism products to integrate the product into the local community and the national lodge/tourism industry
  • Hosting and “selling” the lodge to travel and tour agents/operators
  • Remain informed and on top of industry trends – monitor local and local competitors and come up with new marketing ideas to remain interesting and competitive
  • Development of detailed guest programs and experiences together with owners – both in the lodge and bush utilizing all venues
  • Retail
  • Must be able to identify the “state of the shop” – whether it needs more stock/less stock/re-organizing and make suggestions accordingly
  • Put systems in place to prevent breakages/damaging/theft of stock
  • Monitor/take cognizance of turnovers and buying trends in the shop
  • Control and drive shop sales
  • Control and continually evaluate pricing of goods and services in the lodge to remain competitive
  • Maintain full responsibility for the retail stock in the store – including costs, stores, losses, inconsistencies and expired stock items
  • Ensure the Point of Sale (POS) is operated efficiently
  • Conduct midmonth and month end stock takes to ensure requisition procedures are strictly followed according to par levels and company standards, ensuring accuracy
  • Ensure that necessary stocks are ordered and on hand at the right quality and quantity according to company standards
  • Stock choices and supplier choices and strategies and guidelines of stock levels are predetermined by buyer. Key performance areas for which General Manager is responsible are to maintain stock levels/displays instituted and the driving of sales.
Qualifications

Relevant Hospitality Management qualification advantageous.

Skills

Must have at least 5 years’ GM experience in a 5 star game lodge.

Ability to fine tune standards to 5 star.

Strategic and corporate minded.

Ability to mentor staff and upskill them.

Drive revenue.

Ensure top notch guest satisfaction.

Benefits

Accommodation

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