Award-winning luxury 5* Lodge in Kruger National Park (Skukuza) is looking for a Head Guide.

The Head Guide is to assume full responsibility for maintaining the overall operation and administration of the Guides and Safari department, including individual, family and kids safari experiences, safety, excellent guest and staff relations, hosting of guests, and all equipment, vehicles and assets.

Duties:

Oversee, train and monitor all Field Guide functions according to the standards of FGASA, including guest introductory and safety orientations, guided game drives and interpretive bush walks, tracking, identification of spoor, delivering informative lectures on relevant ecological topics, and drinks stops and other bush events.

Ensure efficient allocation for all game drives, back-up drives and stand-by duties.

As one of the two registered responsible persons for the company firearms, assume full responsibility for obtaining and maintaining valid departmental licenses, and for ensuring efficient and safe weapon handling and proficiency of the entire department.

Oversee the workshop function and vehicles maintenance.

Chair and record departmental meetings, and attend other meetings as required.

Assist in managing the lodge social media platforms, ensuring consistent delivery of relevant and appealing information with the broad aim of increasing knowledge of the wildlife and operating area.

As one of the main incident coordinators, ensure effective incident management in the event of emergency or evacuation, including medical emergencies, fire, and flood.

Training, Development & Mentorship:

Mentor, train, develop, motivate, and guide the team (including Field Guide College Students / Trainee Field Guides) towards achieving and maintaining required/higher qualifications.

Compile feedback and progress reports to the Field Guide College Head Trainer on the Field Guide College Placement Guides.

Earmark and develop individuals who show potential to grow into positions within the greater Lodge Collection.

Implement training and mentorship plans, facilitating the use of groups appointed internal and external trainers and identifying potential mentors within the department.

As part of the greater Lodge Collection, facilitate inter-property training for employees who would benefit from training at other Collection properties.

Provide effective leadership through professional man-management and encouragement of all subordinates, including mediation.

Take part and assist in organizing regular Head Guides forums and Mentorship Workshops.

Drive and monitor the effective implementation and execution of groups Performance Management and Succession Planning processes.

Carry out regular, meaningful performance appraisals conducted in such a manner that effective, open, two-way communication is maintained. To follow up and ensure that the agreed action and developmental plans identified at these appraisals are being affected.

Conservation:

Assist with road maintenance, field and habitat management within the parameters of the concession.

Monitor and enforce reserve, lease agreement and/or concession rules and regulations.

Assist in reserve firefighting and controlled burns.

Data gathering, analysis and interpretation.

General Service & Guest Care:

Ensure all information available on guests is collected and communicated prior to arrival.

Collect guest information while speaking to guests; inform Management to record and act on guest preferences.

Ensure all guest complaints are reported to Management immediately.

Requirements:

Grade 12

FGASA NQF Level 4 and Lead Trails Guide Qualification essential

ARH and Rifle Proficiency

First Aid Level 2

Drivers License and Pr-DP.

Previous experience as Assistant Head Guide or Head Guide.

Sound knowledge of planning, budgeting and departmental administration.

A luxury lodge situated in the Kruger National Park is seeking an experienced Head Guide.

The Head Guide plays a pivotal role in the success of the lodge operation, they engage extensively with guests throughout a significant part of each day. The safari experience is often the primary motivation for guests visiting Africa. Consequently, the guides professionalism and ability to convey knowledge in a safe yet immersive manner significantly shape the overall guest experience.

Duties:

Responsible for overseeing a team of field guides, ensuring the highest quality wildlife viewing experience for guests, maintaining safety standards, and often playing a key role in staff training, conservation efforts, and guest relations within the lodge or reserve; essentially leading the guiding operations and acting as the primary expert on the local ecosystem and wildlife.

Meticulous in all aspects of Managing the guiding department

Manage, Oversee and Discipline staff in the guiding department

Staff training and development

Assist the Marketing team in managing social media content and submitting the monthly newsletters

Perform all administrative duties pertaining to the guiding department

Allocation of Guides to daily game drives

Staff scheduling and rosters

Manage daily game drives and bush walks

Follow up on CarTrack and monitor Guide Movements

Assist around the lodge in other departments if needed

Light concession work

Operational Stock control

Compile weekly and monthly reports

Have thorough technical knowledge and understanding of vehicles, operations and equipment

Perform Duty Manager shifts when necessary

Hosting guests and ensuring the service shift runs smoothly

Requirements:

Grade 12

FGASA NQF 4 qualification or higher

Full Lead Trails and at least 3 years experience with guiding on foot (VPSA, ARH)

A minimum of 7 years of work experience on a Big 5 Game Reserve, with a minimum of 5 years working in a Luxury Lodge environment

A level 2 FGASA qualification or higher with theory and practical completed

Registered with DEAT and THETA in terms of improving his/her qualifications

Firearm competency

Track & Trails guide certificate

Valid first aid certificate

SASSETA Certificates

A valid South African Drivers license and PDP Experience

Self-disciplined, punctual and respectful. Mature and responsible.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills for international guests with diverse cultures. Must have an outgoing hosting personality.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills for staff, being respectful of their culture. A basic knowledge an African language is recommended.

Must be familiar with basic vehicle maintenance in order to communicate with the maintenance team to troubleshoot problems.

Must be familiar with how to drive in a variety of on- and off-road conditions.

Must be familiar with radio etiquette and able to ensure that radio conversations are kept short and direct, with no unnecessary chatter.

Good initiative to cope with difficult situations in a remote environment.

A valid first aid training certificate to handle trauma care, with Wilderness certification.

Well-spoken, well-groomed and presentable.

Strong leadership skills be an effective manager of the Guiding Team.

High standards of service excellence and a passion for the hospitality industry, environmental management and wildlife preservation.