South Africa: General Manager: Hospitality posted by Wild Dreams Hospitality

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead our hospitality operations at Wild Dreams Hospitality’s private nature reserve in South Africa. As a seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record, you will be responsible for ensuring high-end standards, effective conservation practices, regulatory compliance, and strong stakeholder relationships. You will oversee overall operations, financial performance, staff leadership, and guest experience, while driving business growth and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of all hospitality departments across Ongava’s safari lodges.
• Accountable for the financial performance and administrative management of hospitality departments.
• Oversee operational efficiency and cost control across the departments.
• Provide input into strategic product development, lodge upgrades, and enhancement of the guest experience.
• Ensure delivery of a consistently high-end, professional, and five-star guest experience.
• Lead human resource development, including training, performance management, staff progression, and succession planning.
• Ensure hospitality activities align with reserve management requirements, safety protocols, and conservation priorities.
• Oversee lodge and hospitality assets, maintenance standards, and infrastructure in collaboration with operations teams.
• Oversee day-to-day multi-lodge operations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and service excellence.
• Maintain and continuously improve lodge and company standards across front and back of house.
• Oversee analysis and resolution of guest feedback to drive continuous improvement in guest satisfaction.
• Work closely with reservations, sales, and marketing to support occupancy, revenue performance, and guest profile appropriate to the brand.
• Provide structured performance reporting and feedback to inform strategic decision-making, highlighting key risks, trends, and improvement actions.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and labour regulations.
• Act as custodian of the Ongava hospitality brand, standards, and reputation.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in a senior hospitality management role, preferably within high-end safari or remote luxury lodge environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant business, hospitality, or tourism is a requirement.
• A proven track record in financial and strategic management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-property or complex hospitality operations.
• Experience with needs assessment, quality standards, and satisfaction evaluation techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in staff training, performance management, and leadership development.
• Excellent computer literacy skills and experience with relevant hospitality software.
• Must be fluent in English (multilingualism will be a distinct advantage).
• Adequate knowledge of personalized services principles and processes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to engage confidently with guests, staff, senior colleagues, and external partners.
• Strong awareness of current hospitality and luxury safari industry trends and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively under pressure in a remote environment.
• Have a valid driver’s license and PDP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant business, hospitality, or tourism is required.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary N$100kpm negotiable depending on experience (no duty of employment)
• Furnished accommodation
• Gas, water, and electricity provided
• Housekeeping services provided
• Use of a vehicle for company purpose
• Uniform sets
• DSTV
• Access to Wi-Fi depending on availability
• Flights with Wilderness Air to & from Windhoek depending on availability
• Free medical evacuation in the event of injury
• Free medical insurance – Accident Protector through Prosperity
• Subsidised bed night rates access to select lodges as per bed night rate policy for managers
• Pension and Medical Aid is optional but not compulsory for expats
• Pension is compulsory and medical aid optional for locals.