Relief Lodge Manager

HotelJobs; Skukuza Rest Camp; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs is seeking a Relief Lodge Manager for two luxury safari lodges in Sabi Sand, Mpumalanga. The role rotates between Lodge Manager and Guest Experience Manager, delivering hands-on leadership, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional guest service across both properties.

The ideal candidate has 3-5 years in high-end hospitality management, strong staff leadership, and a track record of maintaining impeccable standards while managing guest arrivals, activities and facilities.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' management experience in luxury hospitality.
• Proven ability to lead guest-facing operations and teams.
• Strong operational and service delivery standards.

Responsibilities

• Assume full operational responsibility for lodge operations during relief periods.
• Oversee guest arrivals, departures, room allocations and activities.
• Collaborate with Heads of Department for consistent service delivery.
• Conduct inspections to maintain presentation and maintenance standards.
• Support peak periods and management transitions across two properties.
• Deliver personalised luxury guest experiences and coordinate VIP events.
• Manage guest requests, feedback and service recovery.
• Conduct quality checks for consistency across both lodges.
• Identify opportunities to enhance guest satisfaction and journey.
• Provide leadership to teams when acting in a management capacity.

Skills

Guest relations

Leadership

Operations management

Budgeting

Vendor management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Hospitality management software

Job description

RELIEF LODGE MANAGER

Sabi Sand, Mpumalanga | Luxury Safari Lodges

An exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality manager to provide senior operational and guest experience leadership across two prestigious luxury safari lodges. This dynamic role offers variety and responsibility, rotating between Lodge Manager and Guest Experience Manager duties at two properties. The successful candidate will ensure management continuity, maintain exceptional service standards and provide hands-on leadership according to the operational needs of the business.

THE ROLE

Operational Management

• Assume full operational responsibility for either lodge during management leave or relief periods.


• Oversee daily lodge operations, including guest arrivals and departures, room allocations, activities and operational logistics.


• Work closely with Heads of Department to ensure smooth operations and consistent service delivery.


• Conduct regular inspections of guest areas and facilities, maintaining impeccable presentation and maintenance standards.


• Support both properties during peak periods, special events and management transitions.

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

• Deliver personalised luxury guest experiences and maintain a visible presence throughout the lodges.


• Build meaningful guest relationships, anticipate needs and coordinate VIP arrivals, celebrations and special occasions.


• Manage guest requests, feedback and service recovery.


• Conduct quality checks to ensure consistent service standards across both properties.


• Identify opportunities to enhance guest satisfaction and the overall guest journey.

Leadership & Management

• Provide direction, support and leadership to operational teams when acting in a management capacity.


• Build strong relationships with departmental managers, suppliers and support teams.


• Assume full authority and accountability for the management position being covered.


• Ensure effective management handovers, maintaining accurate logs and communicating outstanding operational, guest, staffing and maintenance matters.


• Participate in management meetings and operational reviews.

Financial & Compliance

• Support cost control, stock management and responsible resource utilisation.


• Monitor operational expenditure and ensure company assets are properly maintained.


• Ensure compliance with company procedures, health and safety requirements and environmental standards.


• Support emergency preparedness and operational risk management.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a versatile and adaptable hospitality professional with proven management experience in a luxury environment. The ideal candidate will be equally confident leading lodge operations and delivering exceptional guest experiences, with the ability to move seamlessly between properties and management responsibilities.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 3-5 years' management experience within a luxury safari lodge, boutique hotel or five-star hospitality environment.


• Previous experience managing guest-facing operations.


• Strong understanding of lodge operations and luxury guest experience standards.


• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage operational priorities.


• Excellent communication, interpersonal and guest engagement skills.


• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.


• Good financial awareness and commercial understanding.


• Ability to remain calm, adaptable and effective under pressure.


• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and hospitality management systems.


• Valid driver's licence.

THE DETAILS

Location: Sabi Sand, Mpumalanga Remuneration: Market Related DOE Live In Start Date: ASAP