Operations Manager – Private Luxury Safari Villa – Hluhluwe | Lb

HotelJobs; Hluhluwe; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in

Job summary

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced Operations Manager for a private luxury safari villa in Hluhluwe. You will oversee day-to-day guest experiences, standards, and staff management, stepping in for the Lodge Manager during leave.

You will lead guest hospitality, supervise housekeeping and kitchen operations, and drive safe, efficient operations while maintaining luxury service level and budget controls.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a five-star hospitality operation.
• Previous management experience in a luxury lodge or safari environment.
• Experience as Lodge Manager preferred.
• Recognised managerial training.
• Strong guest-facing and staff management experience.
• Valid; unendorsed South African driver’s licence.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Calm, proactive, and hands-on leadership under pressure.
• Ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Meet and greet all guests, ensuring a warm and professional arrival experience.
• Cover the daily and weekly responsibilities of the Lodge Manager when required.
• Host agents, media, groups, and other important guests.
• Ensure guest delights and personalised experiences are delivered daily.
• Host evenings as required according to business levels.
• Conduct weekly planning around training, guest requirements, and staffing levels.
• Oversee housekeeping standards and conduct regular room checks.
• Support and monitor Kitchen operations.
• Ensure minimum operational standards are consistently maintained across all departments.
• Attend departmental and finance meetings.
• Attend monthly Health & Safety meetings and implement adjustments.
• Monitor departmental budgets and overtime.
• Promote strong teamwork and communication between departments.

Skills

Guest experience

Staff management

Operations planning

Leadership

Communication

Education

Management training

Job description

Operations Manager – Private Luxury Safari Villa – Hluhluwe ? Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day guest experience and operational requirements of a private luxury safari villa in Hluhluwe.

The Role

The Operations Manager will work closely with the Lodge Manager and wider management team, taking responsibility for ensuring exceptional guest experiences, strong departmental standards, effective staff management, and smooth daily operations. The successful candidate will also assume the Lodge Manager’s responsibilities during periods of leave.

Key Responsibilities

• Meet and greet all guests, ensuring a warm and professional arrival experience.
• Cover the daily and weekly responsibilities of the Lodge Manager when required.
• Host agents, media, groups, and other important guests.
• Ensure guest delights and personalised experiences are delivered daily.
• Host evenings as required according to business levels.
• Conduct weekly planning around training, guest requirements, and staffing levels.
• Oversee housekeeping standards and conduct regular room checks.
• Support and monitor Kitchen operations.
• Ensure minimum operational standards are consistently maintained across all departments.
• Attend departmental and finance meetings.
• Conduct regular operational visits as required.
• Oversee staff welfare, training, and workplace wellbeing.
• Manage stock takes and assist with effective stock control.
• Complete performance reviews for direct reports and ensure departmental reviews are completed on time.
• Attend monthly Health & Safety meetings and ensure required departmental adjustments are implemented.
• Monitor departmental timesheets and ensure any overtime overruns are appropriately managed.
• Monitor departmental budget lines and assist with maintaining costs within budget.
• Promote strong teamwork and communication between departments.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience within a five‑star hospitality operation.
• Previous management experience within a luxury lodge or safari environment.
• Previous Camp or Lodge Manager experience will be highly advantageous.
• Some form of recognised managerial training.
• Strong guest‑facing and staff management experience.
• Experience working with children will be advantageous.
• Valid; unendorsed South African driver’s licence is essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership ability with a proactive and hands‑on approach.
• Ability to think laterally, take initiative, and solve problems effectively.
• Professional; courteous, and genuinely hospitable approach to guests.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• High level of integrity, honesty, and professionalism.
• Passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong career ambitions and a drive to develop within luxury hospitality.

Package

? Hluhluwe ? Private Luxury Safari Villa ? Negotiable DOE ? Live-in

If you do not hear from us within 7 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful.