Property Custodian

Dream Hotels & Resorts; Magaliesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Dream Hotels & Resorts, Mount Savannah, seeks a Property Custodian to lead the Finfoot Lake Reserve’s operations, guest experience, and financial performance. You will champion service excellence, maintain luxury standards, and drive environmental stewardship across all departments.

The role requires a strong track record in senior hospitality leadership, budget management, and a commitment to responsible tourism.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management or related field is highly beneficial.
• Minimum of five years' senior leadership experience within luxury lodge, hotel or resort environment.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with proven budgets experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across all operational departments.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day operation of the lodge.
• Maintain premium guest standards across accommodation, F&B and facilities.
• Drive maintenance programmes and capital improvement projects.
• Prepare monthly operational reports for executive leadership.
• Drive profitability through cost control and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

F&B operations

Revenue management

Safety/compliance

Education

Diploma/Degree in Hospitality Management

FGASA Level 1 Field Guide (beneficial)

Tools

Hospitality management systems

Job description

Mount Savannah is 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.