OCEAN - Hotel General Manager

Viking; uMhlathuze Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lodging provided

Meals provided

Unlimited Wi-Fi on board

Uniforms and laundry

Travel to ship provided

Job summary

Viking is seeking an experienced Hotel General Manager to lead the hotel operations on our ocean vessels. You will coordinate with Department Heads, manage on-board finances, inventories and guest services, and ensure Star Service Standards are upheld across all shipboard departments.

The role requires strong English communication, shipboard hospitality leadership, and a hands-on approach to operations in a multicultural environment. Prior shipboard experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years as Hotel General Manager with focus on cost and revenue.
• Shipboard experience is a must.
• Experience in financial analysis and budgeting.
• Impeccable English - strong written and spoken skills; additional language a plus.
• Proven leadership of multi-cultural teams; flexible, team-focused and coachable.
• Strong admin skills; proficient with PC databases, spreadsheets and word processing.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee the Hotel operation on board the ship, coordinating with Department Heads.
• Coordinate cruise layouts with Department Heads to meet Star Service Standards.
• Oversee shore excursions, future cruises, and tour dispatches; verify revenue vs targets.
• Manage onboard finances, inventories, forecasts, POs, and accounts within budget.
• Provide visible leadership and interact with guests and crew according to STAR Service Standard.
• Ensure stock and product availability on board aligned with targets and guest counts.
• Lead daily briefings with Team Leaders for operational updates.
• Maintain communication with corporate partners.

Skills

Hotel GM

Shipboard experience

Financial analysis

Budgeting

English proficiency

Multicultural leadership

Administrative skills

Public health knowledge

Tools

PC databases

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Job description

Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row byCondé Nast Travelerin the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a "World's Best" byTravel + Leisure-no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications.

Role Overview

Part of our Hotel Administration team on our Ocean vessels, the Hotel General Manager manages the entire Hotel Operation, this includes coordinating and leading
the Hotel Department Heads onboard. Set the standard among the team and ensure that all crew delivers service, in accordance with Viking's STAR Service Standard. The Hotel General Manager reports to Director Hotel Operations.

Your Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee the entire Hotel operation on board the ship Entertainment/Shop's/Concessionaire's/Food and Beverage (F&B) events. Liaise between Deck and Engine departments.
• Plan, and manage cruise layouts together with respective Department Heads and ensure that execution is accurate and efficient, in line with Viking's Star Service Standards.
• Oversee the management and control of sales of shore excursions, future cruises and tour dispatches. Verify revenue reports vs target.
• Ensure cost control and adhere to set budgets by overseeing the entire ship's on-board finances. This includes but not limited to inventories, forecasts, purchase orders and the ship's accounts.
• Demonstrate visible leadership and interact with guests and crew alike, in accordance with Viking's STAR Service Standard.
• Work closely with Department Heads and purchasing to ensure that sufficient amounts of product and stock are available onboard at all times and ensure that produce and stock are in line with given targets and guest count.
• Provide competent leadership to all direct reports and support a multi-cultural team, maximizing crew satisfaction, productivity and retention; meet with Team Leaders on a daily basis for "The Daily Reunion", to provide feedback and operational updates.
• Maintain ongoing communication with corporate partners.
  

WHY JOIN VIKING?

Elevate Your Career

Regardless of where you are on your career journey, Viking can help you in reaching new destinations with:

• On-the-job coaching to help you advance rapidly
• A lifelong network of hospitality professionals from many different countries
  

On board our ship

• Lodging, meals, unlimited Wi‑Fi, uniforms, and laundry are free of charge for all crew members
• Travel to/from the ship provided by Viking
• Crew-only deck, dedicated recreational spaces and activities
• Access to use the guest fitness center during certain hours
  

Employee Benefits

• Referral program
• Loyalty bonuses
• Tax‑free salary
  

YOUR PROFILE

• A required minimum of 5 years' experience as a Hotel General Manager with a strong focus on cost and revenue, as well as a hands‑on approach to operations.
• Previous shipboard experience is a must.
• Must have had exposure to financial analysis and budgeting.
• Impeccable English - must be able to address any kind of information in an exemplary manner with excellent oral and written English communication skills - the ability to speak an additional language is an advantage.
• Must have hands‑on experience in leading multi-cultural teams; flexible, stress resistant, committed team player, with a focus on employee relations and development.
• Strong administration skills are preferred and must be proficient with PC based databases, spread sheets, and word processing systems.
• Guest and Crew focused, service-oriented, positive personality, professional appearance and impeccable hygiene standards are required, with excellent knowledge of all Public Health Policies, team builder with exceptional work ethic, motivational skills, and coaching abilities.
  

APPLICATION AND JOB RELEVANT INFORMATION

Our roles will be subject to our appearance standards (including in relation to visible tattoos) and employees are expected to project a professional image at all times. Visible tattoos are not permitted. Tattoos concealed with make‑up, skin-colored sleeves or any covering other than the company uniform will still be considered visible for the purposes of our appearance standards. Exemptions to this may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis where appropriate. Tattoo removal may not result in successful employment and therefore is not encouraged and is the candidate’s personal decision. Furthermore, any offer of employment is subject to you passing all mandatory medical examinations as required by the company. For further information, please contact our recruiting team.

DISCLAIMER

As part of any recruitment process, Viking collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use that data and to meeting our data protection obligations. If you would like to find out more about how your information will be used, please view the privacy notice on our careers page.