Junior Management Couple

Craven Cottage Cc; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage Cc is seeking a guest experience and hosting leader for our luxury lodge in Mpumalanga. You will be highly visible on the guest journey, welcome and engage guests, and build personalised experiences.

You will ensure Elite members receive their benefits and oversee front-office operations with Opera PMS. The role requires flexible hours, strong leadership, and a passion for safari and international guests.

Qualifications

• Relevant hospitality qualification preferred.
• Minimum 35 years' experience in hotel/lodge operations, with supervisory or management experience.
• Previous experience in a luxury hotel, lodge or 5-star environment advantageous.
• Strong working knowledge of Opera PMS essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer literacy.
• South African citizenship or valid right to work in South Africa.
• Proven experience in a Duty Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager, Front Office Manager or similar hotel leadership role.
• Experience within an international hotel brand.
• Exceptional communicator and natural host.
• Genuine passion for luxury hospitality and guest engagement.
• Confident dealing with international and high-profile guests.
• Make sound decisions independently and under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger guest experience.
• Energetic, approachable, polished and professionally presented.
• Understands that exceptional hospitality is about creating emotions and memories, not simply completing tasks.
• Passionate about safari, nature, South Africa and creating authentic experiences for international travellers.

Responsibilities

• Be a highly visible and engaging host throughout the guest journey.
• Personally welcome, engage with and farewell guests.
• Build genuine relationships with guests and create memorable, personalised experiences.
• Recognise and acknowledge Elite members, and ensure their benefits and preferences are delivered.
• Anticipate guest needs and proactively identify opportunities to exceed expectations.
• Handle guest requests, concerns and complaints professionally and efficiently.
• Create "wow" moments and unique safari-lodge experiences beyond standard hotel service.
• Monitor guest feedback and take immediate action where improvements are required.
• Ensure special occasions, preferences, celebrations and VIP requirements are communicated and delivered seamlessly.
• Be highly proficient in Opera PMS and confident managing front-office operations.
• Monitor arrivals, departures, room status, guest profiles, traces, billing and reservations.
• Ensure accurate guest information and preferences are captured and communicated.
• Manage room allocations and operational requirements effectively.
• Assist with check-ins, check-outs and guest account queries when required.
• Ensure accurate handling of VIP, repeat and special-interest guests.
• Support the Front Office team with Opera-related queries and operational challenges.
• Take responsibility for the property during assigned shifts and ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate and supervise Front Office and relevant operational departments during the shift.
• Conduct regular property inspections and ensure that guest-facing areas consistently meet luxury standards.
• Monitor service delivery across the lodge and intervene where necessary.
• Ensure effective communication between Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Safari Operations, Maintenance and other departments.
• Conduct shift handovers and ensure all important operational and guest information is communicated.
• Manage incidents, emergencies and operational challenges calmly and professionally.
• Ensure all company and property policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Lead by example and inspire the team to deliver exceptional hospitality.
• Coach, mentor and support colleagues during daily operations.
• Maintain high standards of grooming, professionalism, communication and service.
• Conduct effective pre-shift briefings and communicate guest requirements and operational priorities.
• Address performance or service issues professionally and promptly.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and guest-focused working environment.
• This is a hands‑on hospitality leadership role and requires a flexible approach to working hours.

Skills

Guest Services

Opera PMS

Front Office

Team Leadership

Excellent Communication

Education

Hospitality qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Showing 1 Junior Management Couple jobs in Mpumalanga

Guest Experience & Hosting:

• Be a highly visible and engaging host throughout the guest journey.
• Personally welcome, engage with and farewell guests.
• Build genuine relationships with guests and create memorable, personalised experiences.
• Recognise and acknowledge members, particularly Elite members, and ensure that their benefits and preferences are appropriately delivered.
• Anticipate guest needs and proactively identify opportunities to exceed expectations.
• Handle guest requests, concerns and complaints professionally, efficiently and with a genuine desire to resolve the situation.
• Create \"wow\" moments and unique safari-lodge experiences that go beyond standard hotel service.
• Monitor guest feedback and take immediate action where improvements are required.
• Ensure that special occasions, preferences, celebrations and VIP requirements are communicated and delivered seamlessly.

Brand & Systems:

• Have a strong working knowledge of international standards, culture and operating procedures.
• Demonstrate practical knowledge, including the recognition and servicing of Elite members.
• Be highly proficient in Guest Services and related systems.
• Ensure guest recognition, service standards and operational requirements are consistently followed.
• Maintain a strong understanding of brand positioning and the importance of individuality, storytelling and authentic local experiences.
• Be comfortable working within standards while ensuring the property maintains its own unique safari identity.

Opera PMS:

• Be highly proficient in Opera PMS and confident managing front-office operations.
• Monitor arrivals, departures, room status, guest profiles, traces, billing and reservations.
• Ensure accurate guest information and preferences are captured and communicated.
• Manage room allocations and operational requirements effectively.
• Assist with check-ins, check-outs and guest account queries when required.
• Ensure accurate handling of VIP, repeat and special-interest guests.
• Support the Front Office team with Opera-related queries and operational challenges.

Operational Leadership:

• Take responsibility for the property during assigned shifts and ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate and supervise Front Office and relevant operational departments during the shift.
• Conduct regular property inspections and ensure that guest-facing areas consistently meet luxury standards.
• Monitor service delivery across the lodge and intervene where necessary.
• Ensure effective communication between Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Safari Operations, Maintenance and other departments.
• Conduct shift handovers and ensure all important operational and guest information is communicated.
• Manage incidents, emergencies and operational challenges calmly and professionally.
• Ensure all company and property policies and procedures are adhered to.

Team Leadership:

• Lead by example and inspire the team to deliver exceptional hospitality.
• Coach, mentor and support colleagues during daily operations.
• Maintain high standards of grooming, professionalism, communication and service.
• Conduct effective pre-shift briefings and communicate guest requirements and operational priorities.
• Address performance or service issues professionally and promptly.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and guest-focused working environment.

Working Hours & Flexibility:

• This is a hands‑on hospitality leadership role and requires a flexible approach to working hours.
• The successful candidate must be prepared to:
• Work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays.
• Work normal hotel/lodge operational hours as required by the business.
• Be available during peak guest periods and operationally critical times.
• Remain calm, professional and energetic during busy periods.
• Lead from the front rather than manage exclusively from an office.

Requirements:

• Relevant hospitality qualification preferred.
• Minimum 35 years' experience in hotel/lodge operations, with supervisory or management experience.
• Previous experience in a luxury hotel, lodge or 5-star environment advantageous.
• Strong working knowledge of Opera PMS essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Valid driver's licence advantageous.
• South African citizenship or valid right to work in South Africa.
• Proven experience in a Duty Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager, Front Office Manager or similar hotel leadership role.
• Experience within an international hotel brand
• Exceptional communicator and natural host.
• Genuine passion for luxury hospitality and guest engagement.
• Confident dealing with international and high‑profile guests.
• Make sound decisions independently and under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger guest experience.
• Energ, approachable, polished and professionally presented.
• Understands that exceptional hospitality is about creating emotions and memories, not simply completing tasks.
• Passionate about safari, nature, South Africa and creating authentic experiences for international travellers.