Senior Receptionist (Phinda Forest Lodge)

andBeyond Travel; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

andBeyond Travel is seeking a dedicated individual for a permanent live-in position at Phinda, responsible for relieving the Front Office Manager and ensuring exceptional guest experiences. Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as a valid South African driver's license.

Previous experience in the service industry, especially at reception, is essential. This role involves handling guest bills, coordinating bookings, and maintaining accurate records. The successful candidate will thrive under pressure while delivering a world-class guest experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in the service industry, especially in dealing with guests and staff.
• Previous reception experience is a must.

Responsibilities

• Relieve the Front Office Manager for two weeks per working cycle.
• Ensure all necessary items are ready before morning meeting at 8am.
• Controlling guest's bills - ensuring they are accurate.
• Host guests at dinner according to the hosting roster.

Skills

Communication skills

Good organisational ability

Lateral thinking ability

Education

Valid South African Drivers licence

Tools

PanStrat

Job description

&Beyond is built, almost entirely, on the strength of remarkable people who give passionately to their roles, work tirelessly, have the guest experience at the core of their focus daily and care of the sustainability of our communities and environment. Every single '&Beyonder' makes a huge difference to our success and our contribution to the world, regardless of their role or function. For this reason we choose '&Beyonders' very carefully - they are the strength and the future of this company.

Key Outputs

• Relieve the Front Office Manager for two weeks per working cycle
• Ensure all necessary items are ready & waiting before morning meeting at 8am
• Month end processing
• Checking guests out or in if needed
• Controlling Guest's bills - making sure they are accurate at all times.
• Communicating flights and transfers
• Guest adventure bookings
• Maintain PanStrat billing systems
• Host guests at dinner as per the front of house hosting roster
• Ensure all telephone calls and radios are answered timeously
• Ensure calls are transferred as requested & that messages are taken properly & passed on to the necessary individuals
• Ensure all filing is done daily (staff shop dockets, safari shop dockets & bar dockets)
• All feedback forms are processed on the feedback form spread sheet.
• Liaise with reservations department on bookings, rates & guest info
• Working according to your shift checklist
• Accountability for cash and administrative errors
• Communicate with staff & other departments about day to day going on's
• Lodge Daysheets - Make sure that all necessary information is on the daysheets & are up to date with the most accurate information.
• Doing daysheets ahead in order to plan & coordinate
• Doing detailed & accurate handovers with co workers

Skills Required

• Communication skills - with guests and fellow staff members
• Standard of your work must exceed the standard of the lodge
• Good organisational ability
• Lateral thinking ability

Knowledge Required

• Hospitality
• Environment
• The surrounding communities
• The country
• Company Knowledge (&BEYOND as well as Wild Impact)
• PanStrat knowledge
• Valid South African Drivers licence

Previous Work Experience Required

• Experience in the service industry especially in dealing with guests and staff
• Previous reception experience an a must

Personal Characteristics

• Passionate about guest delight
• Able to create new ideas
• Able to handle pressure, and still operate effectively
• Energetic, proactive person with well-developed concept of the importance of providing a world-class guest experience and the ability to provide that experience as per the company standards
• Good interpersonal skills - able to function as part of a team
• Attention to detail and initiative
• Diligence and self-motivation to meet deadlines and keep on top of your job
• Willingness/ability to share information and teach and inspire others

This is a permanent live-in position, based at Phinda. Transport to/from leave cycles is the successful candidate's own responsibility.