South Africa: Assistant Lodge Manager

You will be tasked with overseeing daily operations, leading staff, and maintaining the company’s standard of world-class hospitality and commitment to conservation. Core Criteria: Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management or related field 3 years in a senior management role within a luxury lodge or 5-star hospitality environment Strong understanding of all lodge departments Financial acumen including budgeting and cost control Strong leadership, staff management, and conflict-resolution abilities Excellent guest service and communication skills Fluent in English (additional South African languages an advantage) Valid drivers license and willingness to live on-site in a remote environment Operational and strategic thinking Excellent interpersonal and leadership presence Strong financial literacy Calm, solutions-driven and composed under pressure Passionate about hospitality, people, and nature High attention to detail and organisational discipline Culturally aware and inclusive Key responsibilities: Guest Experience & Service Standards Support the GM in implementing annual operational plans with guidance from senior operations leaders. Oversee daily departmental operations, including Housekeeping, F&B, Maintenance, Front Office, and Laundry. Lead daily management meetings and staff handovers. Ensure adherence to SOPs and contribute to their continuous improvement. Maintain regular communication with Reservations regarding arrivals, special requests, and guest needs. Support the implementation of pest-control and hygiene standards. Assist the GM with annual budgeting and operational planning. Ensure all expenditure is approved and falls within the allocated budget. Work with Reservations to ensure deposits, cancellations, and revenue opportunities (upsell/cross-sell) are well managed. Manage petty cash when on duty and ensure accurate reconciliation. Monitor staff attendance and ensure appropriate shift coverage. Oversee equipment use, stock consumption, and par-level maintenance. Ensure adequate staffing and adjust schedules as needed. Provide leadership, guidance, and on-the-job training. Support recruitment, onboarding, and continuous staff development. Conduct counselling sessions and manage minor disciplinary matters in the GMs absence. Maintain grooming standards and professional presentation across the team. Ensure legal compliance with health, safety, environmental, and labour requirements. Maintain strong emergency-response readiness. Uphold strict safety and security measures for guests and staff. Support the GM with incident reporting where required. Work closely with the Maintenance Manager to ensure well-maintained infrastructure. Address urgent building or equipment failures. Support overall upkeep of lodge grounds, rooms, gardens, and pools. Ensure effective use of lodge management systems and operational reporting tools. Maintain communication platforms and lodge technology standards. Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and service excellence. Submit operational and financial reports to the Operations Team. Escalate major guest complaints or risks as per SOP. Ensure smooth inter-departmental communication and timely reporting of issues. This is a live-in position.