South Africa: Commercial / Sales And Marketing Manager – Luxury 5 Star Lodge – Cape Town | Lb posted by Kendrick Recruitment

Commercial / Sales and Marketing Manager Location: Cape Town (supporting a Limpopo-based luxury lodge) Property Type: Luxury 5-Star Lodge Salary: R45,000 per month Incentive: Performance-based incentive linked to KPIs Kendrick Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Commercial / Sales and Marketing Manager on behalf of a luxury 5-star lodge located in Limpopo. The successful candidate will be based in Cape Town, working closely with the lodge’s operational and reservations teams. This role is suited to a commercially driven hospitality professional with strong experience in revenue management, travel trade sales, and digital marketing within the luxury tourism or safari sector. Key Responsibilities Revenue Management Develop and implement pricing and yield strategies to optimise occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR in line with seasonal trends and demand Monitor booking patterns, competitor performance, and market demand to proactively adjust strategies Manage distribution channels, ensuring rate parity and maximising direct bookings Produce monthly performance and forecasting reports, highlighting revenue opportunities Collaborate with reservations to refine booking procedures and enhance guest conversion through the use of AI Travel & Trade Sales Build and maintain strong relationships with travel trade partners, including tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, and luxury safari specialists Represent the lodge at trade shows, roadshows, and online travel platforms Negotiate rates and packages with domestic and international operators Identify new market opportunities within niche segments such as honeymoon travel, conservation tourism, small groups, and exclusive-use bookings Conduct market visits, property tours, and partner engagements to strengthen brand presence Digital Marketing & Brand Visibility Design and execute targeted digital campaigns across Google Ads, Meta Ads, and email marketing Oversee the lodge’s online presence, including website performance, SEO, and brand storytelling content Manage social media channels to authentically showcase wildlife experiences, conservation initiatives, and guest stories Track and analyse marketing performance, ensuring strong ROI and engagement Collaborate with photographers, content creators, and PR partners to position the lodge as a leading safari destination Qualifications 5–8 years’ experience in hospitality revenue management, travel trade sales, or digital marketing Experience within the luxury lodge or safari sector is highly advantageous Strong understanding of tourism distribution systems, OTAs, and travel trade partnerships Experience with Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager, OTA Insight, PMS, CRS, and sales reporting tools Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong brand storytelling ability Passion for nature-based tourism, conservation, and authentic guest experiences Key Competencies Analytical, strategic, and commercial mindset with strong negotiation skills Data-driven approach with a clear understanding of performance metrics Creative thinking in marketing and content development Understanding of high-end hospitality and guest expectations in a safari setting Ability to balance revenue objectives with brand integrity and guest satisfaction Team-oriented, adaptable, and proactive within a remote lodge environment Strong multitasking and relationship management skills Performance Indicators Growth in total room and package revenue, including RevPAR and ADR Increase in direct bookings versus OTA contribution Expansion of trade partnerships and repeat business from key agents Improved digital engagement metrics and campaign ROI Consistent brand representation across all online and offline channels Candidates who meet the above criteria are invited to submit their CV to Kendrick Recruitment for consideration.