Senior Duty Manager

Craven Cottage CC; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC in Limpopo province seeks a dynamic Lodge Operations Manager to oversee guest experience from arrival to departure, lead a high-end safari lodge team and coordinate F&B around game drives.

You will manage budgets, drive safety, supervise housekeeping, maintenance and service standards, and ensure discreet handling of guest issues while delivering unforgettable stays. This role requires hands-on leadership in a luxury setting.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 required and a formal hospitality qualification.
• 3+ years proven leadership in senior duty management or luxury hospitality.
• Experience in a luxury safari lodge or tented camp essential.
• Ability to deliver personalised service and discreetly handle sensitive guest complaints.
• Experience coordinating Housekeeping, Maintenance and Food & Beverage operations.
• Strong administrative and reporting skills, including Opera.
• Budget monitoring, cost control, purchasing, stocktakes and variances.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to work extended hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee guest experience from arrival to departure, ensuring attentive and personalised service.
• Coordinate special occasions, private dining and guest requests while protecting privacy.
• Resolve sensitive complaints within delegated authority and follow through on actions.
• Set operational priorities, conduct duty briefings and maintain handovers.
• Coach employees, reinforce service standards and address performance or conduct concerns.
• Inspect suites, private decks, pools, and public areas for readiness and presentation.
• Prioritise maintenance concerns by safety and impact, ensuring corrective work is completed.
• Lead restaurant and private dining service around game drives, monitor quality and dietary needs.
• Oversee stock ordering, variances, budgets, payroll support, and weekly risk reports.
• Act as senior operational contact in the Resident Manager’s absence; coordinate movements with guiding team.
• Maintain safety, emergency procedures, and wildlife safety awareness.

Skills

Leadership experience

Guest service excellence

Budget awareness

Operational leadership

Staff coaching

Education

Grade 12

Formal hospitality qualification

Tools

Opera

Job description

Duties

Guest Experience

Oversee the guest experience from arrival to departure, ensuring attentive and personalised service. Coordinate special occasions, private dining and guest requests while protecting guest privacy. Resolve sensitive complaints within delegated authority and follow through on agreed actions.

Team Leadership & Lodge Standards

Set operational priorities, conduct duty briefings and maintain clear departmental handovers. Coach employees, reinforce service standards and address performance or conduct concerns professionally. Inspect suites, private decks, plunge pools, outdoor relaxation areas and bathrooms for service readiness. Maintain consistently high presentation standards throughout public areas. Prioritise maintenance concerns according to safety and guest impact, verifying that corrective work is completed.

Food & Beverage

Lead restaurant and private dining service, coordinating meal timings around game drives. Confirm dietary requirements with the kitchen and monitor service quality. Oversee food and beverage stock usage and minimise wastage.

Administration & Operational Management

Oversee stock ordering and stocktakes, investigate variances and enforce purchasing controls. Monitor departmental expenditure against budgets and support payroll administration. Submit weekly reports highlighting operational risks and matters requiring management attention. Act as the senior operational contact in the Resident Manager’s absence. Coordinate guest movements and game-drive departures with the guiding team. Maintain safety and emergency procedures appropriate to a cliffside lodge within a wildlife reserve.

Requirements

• Grade 12
• A formal hospitality qualification
• At least 3+ years proven leadership experience in senior duty management, assistant lodge management or a comparable luxury hospitality role.
• Experience within a luxury safari lodge or tented camp environment is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver personalised service and resolve sensitive guest complaints discreetly.
• Experience coordinating Housekeeping, Maintenance and Food & Beverage operations.
• Strong administrative and reporting skills, including proficiency in Opera.
• Practical experience monitoring budgets, controlling costs and managing purchasing, stocktakes and variances.
• A valid driver’s licence.
• Ability to perform the physical duties of the role and work safely around wildlife.
• Sound judgement and confidence making independent decisions within delegated authority.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritise under pressure.
• A visible, hands-on leadership style that promotes accountability.
• Willingness to work extended and flexible hours.
• Immediate availability would be advantageous.