Lodge Maintenance Manager

Bright Placements (PTY) Ltd; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Bright Placements (PTY) Ltd seeks a hands-on maintenance professional for a remote safari lodge. The role requires leading maintenance activities, planning preventative tasks, and coordinating with contractors to uphold safety, reliability and guest comfort across the lodge facilities.

You will oversee generators, water systems, sewage and building services, ensuring smooth operations in a demanding environment. Strong leadership and independent work style are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in a maintenance or technical management role.
• Experience in luxury lodge/hospitality environment advantageous.
• Proven ability to lead maintenance teams and contractors.
• Strong practical knowledge of building maintenance.
• Experience with generators, pumps, water and sewage systems.
• Familiar with solar/back-up power systems.
• Experience with preventative maintenance programmes.
• Computer literacy and administrative skills.
• Valid driver’s licence is essential or advantageous.
• Comfortable working in remote safari lodge environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance operations, plan and schedule preventative tasks.
• Lead a small maintenance team and coordinate external contractors.
• Respond quickly to breakdowns and emergencies to ensure guest comfort.
• Maintain lodge infrastructure with safety and presentation in mind.
• Manage records and administrative duties related to maintenance.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

3–5 years experience

Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical

Generator/Pumps/Water systems

Solar/Backup power

Preventative maintenance

Remote hospitality

Contractor management

Administrative skills

Driver's licence

Job description

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant technical qualification or trade certification in Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical Engineering, Building, Maintenance or a related field is advantageous.
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a maintenance or technical management position.
• Previous experience within a luxury hotel, lodge, safari lodge or remote hospitality environment is highly advantageous.
• Proven experience managing maintenance teams and contractors.
• Strong practical knowledge of general building and maintenance.
• Experience with electrical, plumbing, mechanical and general maintenance systems.
• Experience with generators, pumps, water systems and sewage systems is advantageous.
• Knowledge of solar systems and alternative power systems is advantageous.
• Experience with preventative maintenance programmes.
• Computer literacy and good administrative skills.
• Valid driver's licence is essential or highly advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Electrical maintenance and fault finding.
• Plumbing and water systems.
• Basic mechanical repairs.
• Carpentry and general building maintenance.
• Painting and renovations.
• Generator operation and maintenance.
• Pump and borehole systems.
• Water treatment and sewage systems.
• Air-conditioning and refrigeration knowledge is advantageous.
• Solar and backup power systems.
• Basic welding and fabrication would be advantageous.
• Maintenance planning and preventative maintenance.
• Contractor and supplier management.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical and practical ability.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise urgent maintenance issues.
• Good leadership and staff-management skills.
• Strong organisational and planning abilities.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong preventative-maintenance mindset.
• Good record-keeping and administrative skills.
• Ability to work in a hands-on environment.

Personal Attributes

• Practical and hands-on.
• Reliable and trustworthy.
• Proactive and solutions-focused.
• Responsible and safety-conscious.
• Hardworking and physically fit.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Professional and respectful.
• Strong work ethic.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Willing to assist with a wide range of lodge maintenance requirements.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be comfortable working in a remote safari lodge environment.
• Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays and after-hours when emergencies arise.
• Must be available to respond to urgent maintenance issues.
• Accommodation on the property may be required, depending on the lodge's operational requirements.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors and in varying weather conditions.
• A valid driver's licence is advantageous.
• Previous experience in the Hoedspruit / Lowveld / safari environment would be beneficial.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports To: Lodge Manager / General Manager

Manages: Maintenance team, artisans and external contractors as required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on and technically skilled maintenance professional with previous experience in a lodge, hotel, resort or remote hospitality environment. They should be able to identify problems before they become operational issues, manage preventative maintenance effectively and respond quickly to breakdowns.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently, managing a small maintenance team and taking ownership of the lodge's infrastructure, while maintaining a strong focus on guest comfort, safety, reliability and presentation.