Job description
Guest Experience & Hosting:
- Be a highly visible and engaging host throughout the guest journey.
- Personally welcome, engage with and farewell guests.
- Build genuine relationships with guests and create memorable, personalised experiences.
- Recognise and acknowledge members, particularly Elite members, and ensure that their benefits and preferences are appropriately delivered.
- Anticipate guest needs and proactively identify opportunities to exceed expectations.
- Handle guest requests, concerns and complaints professionally, efficiently and with a genuine desire to resolve the situation.
- Create "wow" moments and unique safari-lodge experiences that go beyond standard hotel service.
- Monitor guest feedback and take immediate action where improvements are required.
- Ensure that special occasions, preferences, celebrations and VIP requirements are communicated and delivered seamlessly.
Brand & Systems:
- Have a strong working knowledge ofinternational standards, culture and operating procedures.
- Demonstrate practical knowledge, including the recognition and servicing of Elite members.
- Be highly proficient inGuest Services and related systems.
- Ensure guest recognition, service standards and operational requirements are consistently followed.
- Maintain a strong understanding of brand positioning and the importance of individuality, storytelling and authentic local experiences.
- Be comfortable working within standards while ensuring the property maintains its own unique safari identity.
Opera PMS:
- Behighly proficient in Opera PMSand confident managing front-office operations.
- Monitor arrivals, departures, room status, guest profiles, traces, billing and reservations.
- Ensure accurate guest information and preferences are captured and communicated.
- Manage room allocations and operational requirements effectively.
- Assist with check-ins, check-outs and guest account queries when required.
- Ensure accurate handling of VIP, repeat and special-interest guests.
- Support the Front Office team with Opera-related queries and operational challenges.
Operational Leadership:
- Take responsibility for the property during assigned shifts and ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
- Coordinate and supervise Front Office and relevant operational departments during the shift.
- Conduct regular property inspections and ensure that guest-facing areas consistently meet luxury standards.
- Monitor service delivery across the lodge and intervene where necessary.
- Ensure effective communication between Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Safari Operations, Maintenance and other departments.
- Conduct shift handovers and ensure all important operational and guest information is communicated.
- Manage incidents, emergencies and operational challenges calmly and professionally.
- Ensure all company and property policies and procedures are adhered to.
Team Leadership:
- Lead by example and inspire the team to deliver exceptional hospitality.
- Coach, mentor and support colleagues during daily operations.
- Maintain high standards of grooming, professionalism, communication and service.
- Conduct effective pre-shift briefings and communicate guest requirements and operational priorities.
- Address performance or service issues professionally and promptly.
- Foster a positive, collaborative and guest-focused working environment.
Working Hours & Flexibility:
- This is ahands-on hospitality leadership roleand requires a flexible approach to working hours.
- The successful candidate must be prepared to:
- Work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays.
- Work normal hotel/lodge operational hours as required by the business.
- Be available during peak guest periods and operationally critical times.
- Remain calm, professional and energetic during busy periods.
- Lead from the front rather than manage exclusively from an office.
Requirements:
- Relevant hospitality qualification preferred.
- Minimum3–5 years' experiencein hotel/lodge operations, with supervisory or management experience.
- Previous experience in a luxury hotel, lodge or 5-star environment advantageous.
- Strong working knowledge ofOpera PMS – essential.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong computer literacy.
- Valid driver's licence advantageous.
- South African citizenship or valid right to work in South Africa.
- Proven experience in a Duty Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager, Front Office Manager or similar hotel leadership role.
- Experience within an international hotel brand
- Exceptional communicator and natural host.
- Genuine passion for luxury hospitality and guest engagement.
- Confident dealing with international and high-profile guests.
- Make sound decisions independently and under pressure.
- Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger guest experience.
- Energetic, approachable, polished and professionally presented.
- Understands that exceptional hospitality is about creating emotions and memories, not simply completing tasks.
- Passionate about safari, nature, South Africa and creating authentic experiences for international travellers.
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