Thabazimbi: Camp Manager posted by Kendrick Recruitment

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking a Camp Manager to join a luxury safari camp in Thabazimbi. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in luxury hospitality, strong leadership skills, and a passion for delivering world-class guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience

• Personally welcome guests on arrival and assist with suite orientation alongside the Guest Relations team

• Host meals in rotation with the Lodge Manager, ensuring warmth and elegance in guest interactions

• Curate and oversee special requests, celebrations, and bespoke experiences in collaboration with the Lodge Manager

• Join out-of-lodge experiences such as bush breakfasts and sundowners to enrich guest touchpoints

Team & Operations

• Directly manage the Guest Relations and Porters team, ensuring seamless service delivery

• Lead daily Guest Relations briefings to align on arrivals, preferences, and guest flow

• Conduct regular walkthroughs of public and guest areas to uphold lodge standards

• Ensure strong interdepartmental communication across all teams

• Monitor and drive shop sales, pricing, and stock control, maintaining full responsibility for retail inventory

• Uphold service standards and SOPs across the front-of-house operation

Admin & Systems

• Serve as Manager on Duty on a rotational basis

• Complete guest incident reports, ensuring escalation and follow-up as needed

• Oversee leave approval and rostering for Guest Relations and Porters

• Use ResRequest and TallOrder systems to ensure operational accuracy and guest record integrity

Leadership & Culture

• Manage radio communications to stay informed of guest movements and operations

• Cultivate morale across departments through presence, adaptability, and proactive leadership

• Lead with confidence, warmth, and professionalism

• Support safety awareness and emergency procedures when required

Schedule & Structure

• Work primarily day shifts (07h3016h30), with evening returns for dinner hosting as needed

• Live on-site, following a 6-week on / 2-week off rotation

• Act as the Lodge Managers second-in-command, taking ownership of front-of-house guest operations

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 35 years experience in a luxury lodge, boutique hotel, or five-star hospitality setting

• Proven track record in front-of-house operations and guest services

• Strong understanding of luxury guest expectations, with the ability to anticipate needs and exceed them

• Skilled in handling guest feedback with tact and professionalism

• Experienced in leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams, preferably in remote lodge environments

• Proficient in hospitality systems such as ResRequest (PMS) and TallOrder (POS), or similar

• Strong organisational skills, with experience in rostering, scheduling, and incident reporting

• Confident in independent decision-making, particularly when acting as Manager on Duty

Attributes for Success

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to guest satisfaction

• Strong communication skills, with a focus on honest and professional interactions

• A positive, enthusiastic team player with strong emotional intelligence

• Excellent time management, self-discipline, and solution-seeking abilities

• Proactive, adaptable, and loyal, with the ability to perform under pressure

• Patient and tolerant, with the ability to mentor and guide team members effectively