South Africa: Reservation Manager | Johannesburg posted by J D Specialized Recruitment

is assisting a safari company with a portfolio of luxury lodges and private reserves in Zambia in the recruitment of an experienced professional to join their Johannesburg (Rosebank) office as The Reservation Manager will lead a new reservations department. This is a senior, strategic role responsible for driving reservations accuracy, system excellence, team leadership, and delivering a consistently high-end luxury service standard across a multi-lodge portfolio. The successful candidate will be highly detail-oriented and process-driven, with the confidence to manage people, systems, and commercial performance while working closely with Sales, Marketing, and lodge-based teams to ensure seamless operational delivery. This role requires a professional who brings structure, composure, and discretion to a fast-paced luxury environment, and who is passionate about Africa and exceptional travel experiences. Key Responsibilities · Lead and manage the central reservations team, setting clear standards and KPIs · Ensure flawless handling of all reservations, amendments, cancellations, and special requests · Take ownership of reservations systems, processes, SOPs, and data integrity · Act as the in-house ResRequest expert, including system and product training · Manage rates, availability, contracts, and promotions with absolute accuracy · Support revenue optimisation, forecasting, and reporting · Serve as the primary reservations contact for trade partners and internal stakeholders · Ensure all reservation interactions reflect a premium luxury brand standard Key Requirements · 8–10 years’ experience in luxury lodge, safari, or high-end hospitality reservations · Proven experience in a senior or managerial reservations role · Strong, hands-on ResRequest experience (essential) · Demonstrated ability to deliver system and product training · Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365, particularly Excel and reporting · Strong leadership, mentoring, and team management skills · Exceptional attention to detail with a structured, process-driven mindset · Solid commercial understanding of rates, yield, and contracts · Excellent written and verbal communication skills · Prior experience or strong knowledge of Zambia as a destination is advantageous – Market related PLEASE NOTE – Although we appreciate all applications, we will only reply to those candidates who meet our clients specific requirements. Thank you for your understanding