Cape Town: Deputy General Manager posted by Kendrick Recruitment

Deputy General Manager Luxury Hotel, Bantry Bay

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced and strategic Deputy General Manager to join a prestigious luxury hotel in Bantry Bay. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this senior leadership role will oversee day-to-day hotel operations, drive operational excellence, and ensure an exceptional guest experience across all departments.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership:

• Partner with the General Manager to execute the hotels strategic vision, business objectives, and performance targets.

• Oversee daily operations across Rooms, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Spa, Guest Experience, Security, and Engineering.

• Lead operational strategies that support the hotels luxury positioning and revenue growth.

• Review departmental performance metrics to identify efficiency and service improvement opportunities.

• Ensure seamless interdepartmental collaboration and communication.

• Act as liaison between the General Manager and Heads of Department to translate strategy into actionable plans.

• Drive continuous improvement through benchmarking, innovation, and best practices.

Customer and Service Excellence:

• Champion a culture of service excellence and personalised guest experiences.

• Monitor guest feedback and implement proactive solutions to improve satisfaction.

• Maintain strong relationships with key guests, partners, and stakeholders.

• Oversee complaint resolution, ensuring timely and effective handling of issues.

People Development and Leadership:

• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to all Heads of Department.

• Support succession planning, performance management, and talent development initiatives.

• Lead departmental meetings and daily briefings, promoting collaboration and accountability.

• Uphold a workplace culture valuing diversity, respect, and teamwork.

• Oversee recruitment, selection, and onboarding of key management positions.

• Recognise and reward employee performance that reflects service excellence.

Financial and Budgetary Oversight:

• Support the General Manager and Financial Controller in budget preparation, forecasting, and cost control.

• Monitor revenue performance, payroll costs, and departmental expenses.

• Identify operational cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or guest experience.

• Analyse financial and operational trends to improve performance and profitability.

Facilities, Quality, and Compliance:

• Oversee maintenance, safety, and hygiene standards across the property.

• Ensure operational compliance with brand standards, health, safety, and hygiene regulations.

• Lead audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.

• Monitor service delivery metrics to ensure continuous improvement.

• Maintain awareness of hospitality legislation including labour, liquor, and health regulations.

• Lead risk management initiatives including fire, safety, and security procedures.

Guest Experience and Brand Reputation:

• Ensure all guest journey touchpoints reflect luxury service standards.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to enhance brand image and community engagement.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree or Diploma in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field (essential).

• Postgraduate qualification or executive management certification (advantageous).

• Minimum 10 years senior hotel leadership experience, including 35 years as an Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Operational Manager, or Hotel Manager in a luxury or five-star environment.

• Proven ability to oversee Rooms, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Spa, Guest Experience, Security, and Engineering.

• Strong financial acumen with experience in P&L management, forecasting, and profitability delivery.

• Knowledge of hotel systems (Opera PMS, Micros) is preferred.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

• In-depth understanding of the Cape Town hospitality market and commercial insight.

Salary: Negotiable depending on experience.

This role offers a unique opportunity for a seasoned hospitality professional to play a pivotal role in the operational and strategic success of a prestigious luxury hotel in Bantry Bay.