Head of Hospitality

**Executive Head of Hospitality**

Big 5 conservation project situated in the heart of Zululand. 4 lodges situated on the reserve: the 1st which is a tented camp designed for large groups, 2 Lodges which are both discreet 4* luxury lodges, and the 4th Lodge which is our new 5* luxury tented camp on the Umfolozi (opening May 2023)

For this role, we are looking for an experienced head of hospitality / Operations Manager / Regional Director/Highly experienced & Qualified Hotelier / High Calibre Hospitality Consultant - someone who is either capable of adjusting to, or who understands the dynamics of living and working on a remote site in a big 5 game reserve while delivering a superlative guest experience in the lodges. Our focus here is on the guest experience from check-in, arrival at the lodges, the lodge experience in its totality, and the check-out and departures. Game drives and on reserve activities will be supported in conjunction with the safari guiding team.
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to the hospitality business
- Implement effective systems and processes that will deliver a superior guest experience.
- Management, mentoring and leadership-development of people in the Hospitality Department

Manage the Hospitality budget (Income and expenditure, P&L) and provide operational direction
- Provide leadership in the development and delivery of the Lodge’s hospitality operations
- Develop SOPs in line with operational and customer service requirements
- Development and implementation of retail plan across lodges
- Track retail consumption and provide feedback there-on
- Work closely with Sales and Marketing to ensure marketing initiatives are successfully implemented
- Management and mentorship of Hospitality Operations Manager, Lodge Managers, Executive Housekeeper, Executive Head Chef, Head Guide
- Critically evaluate the hospitality offering and make recommendations for continual improvement.
- Responsible for recruitment of senior lodge staff
- Manage contractors and suppliers
- Oversight of property repairs, lodge maintenance, and lodge security
- Maintain quality standards across the business (look at the full guest experience)
- Implement new procedures for improved guest serves
- Positively represent the lodge and the game reserve.

Ensure compliance with licensing laws, occupational health and safety, permits, accreditation and other statutory regulations
- The successful opening of the 5* Lodge in May 2023
- The successful operationaliation of all lodges on BGR
- The successful closure of snags in existing lodges
- The BGR brand revered based on guest feedback
- Implementation of retail plan across all lodges and tracking consumption
- Effective Management of the hospitality Budget
- Training, mentoring and development of local staff

**Excellent Salary package**

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Experience**:

- 5* Game Lodge Management: 8 years (preferred)
- Operations Management: 10 years (preferred)
- Regional Hospitality Director: 10 years (preferred)
- Cluster Hotel Director: 10 years (preferred)
- Finance: 8 years (preferred)