Property Custodian

Dream Resorts; Krugersdorp; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Dream Hotels & Resorts seeks a Property Custodian for Finfoot Lake Reserve to oversee all aspects of operations, guest experience and financial performance, ensuring premium service. The role drives maintenance, safety, and sustainability while upholding brand standards across departments.

You will lead talent development, manage budgets, and partner with sales and marketing to grow occupancy. A strategic, hands-on leader with hospitality expertise is essential.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Hospitality Management or related field is a strong plus.
• FGASA Level 1 Field Guide is advantageous.
• Minimum of five years' senior leadership experience in a luxury lodge/hotel.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen; proven budgeting experience.
• Knowledge of revenue management and online travel distribution.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic operational leadership across all departments.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day lodge operations and high service standards.
• Develop and manage the annual operating budget; monitor performance against budget.
• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing to grow occupancy and revenue.
• Lead, coach and develop staff; ensure engagement and succession planning.
• Ensure brand standards, licenses, audits, safety and environmental compliance.
• Champion environmental stewardship and community engagement.
• Collaborate with Head Office and other Dream Hotels & Resorts properties.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Budget management

Hospitality systems

Education

Hospitality management degree

FGASA Level 1 Field Guide

Job description

Mount Savannahis an unfenced 2,000-hectare game reserve located in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site near Krugersdorp, less than 45 minutes from central Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Managed by Dream Hotels & Resorts, Mount Savannah is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences while operating responsibly and sustainably. Guided by our eight core values—Reliability, Accountability, Empathy, Humanity, Trust, Dynamism, Excellence and Joy—we strive to create meaningful experiences for our guests, our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Position Overview

The Property Custodian is responsible for the overall leadership, operational performance and commercial success of Finfoot Lake Reserve.

The incumbent will oversee every aspect of the property's operation, ensuring the delivery of exceptional guest experiences while maintaining the highest standards of service, financial performance, employee engagement and environmental stewardship.

The Property Custodian serves as the custodian of the Dream Hotels & Resorts brand at property level and is responsible for creating a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

Dream Hotels & Resorts is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership across all operational departments.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day operation of the lodge.
• Maintain exceptional standards throughout accommodation, food & beverage, guest facilities and public areas.
• Drive preventative maintenance programmes to ensure all buildings, infrastructure, equipment and guest facilities remain in excellent condition.
• Oversee refurbishment and capital improvement projects.
• Ensure compliance with Dream Hotels & Resorts operational standards.
• Prepare monthly operational reports and present business performance to executive leadership.
• Drive operational efficiencies while maintaining premium guest standards.

Guest Experience

• Create a culture centred on exceptional guest service.
• Ensure personalised luxury experiences throughout the guest journey.
• Resolve guest concerns promptly and professionally.
• Drive continuous improvement through guest feedback.
• Implement innovative guest experience initiatives.
• Lead by example in delivering world‑class hospitality.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget.
• Monitor financial performance against budget.
• Analyse financial reports and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Identify revenue growth opportunities.
• Drive profitability through effective cost control.
• Manage labour costs and departmental productivity.
• Implement yield management and revenue optimisation strategies.
• Ensure sound procurement and inventory management.

Sales & Business Development

• Partner with the Dream Hotels & Resorts Sales and Marketing teams.
• Develop strategies to grow occupancy and revenue.
• Build relationships with corporate clients, travel agents, tour operators and industry partners.
• Identify new business opportunities.
• Promote the Finfoot brand within the tourism and hospitality industry.
• Support marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives.

People Leadership

• Recruit, develop and retain high-performing employees.
• Foster an engaged, inclusive and performance‑driven culture.
• Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews and development discussions.
• Identify succession planning opportunities.
• Promote employee wellbeing and engagement.
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation and company policies.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Dream Hotels & Resorts brand standards.
• Maintain all required operating licences and statutory compliance.
• Conduct regular operational audits and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation.
• Uphold food safety and hygiene standards.
• Manage risk and emergency preparedness programmes.

Environmental & Conservation Stewardship

• Champion environmentally sustainable business practices.
• Protect the natural assets of the reserve.
• Promote responsible tourism.
• Support conservation initiatives.
• Ensure responsible waste, water and energy management.
• Partner with environmental stakeholders where appropriate.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build meaningful relationships with neighbouring communities.
• Represent Finfoot Lake Reserve at tourism and community events.
• Support local economic development initiatives.
• Develop partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Promote Dream Hotels & Resorts' community engagement programmes.

Internal Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with Head Office support teams.
• Share operational best practice across the group.
• Support new initiatives and business projects.
• Participate in leadership forums and strategic planning sessions.
• Assist other Dream Hotels & Resorts properties where required.

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Management or a related field highly beneficial
• FGASA Level 1 Field Guide Highly beneficial
• Minimum of five years' senior leadership experience within a luxury lodge, hotel or resort environment.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Proven experience managing operational budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to improve business performance.
• Strong knowledge of hospitality management systems.
• Advanced computer literacy.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Excellent Food & Beverage operational knowledge.
• Strong understanding of revenue management and online travel distribution.

Advantageous

• Luxury safari lodge experience.
• Knowledge of conservation principles.
• Experience within remote hospitality operations.
• Experience managing capital projects.
• Multi-property operational exposure.