General Manager - New Entertainment & Social Venue
Hillcrest, South Africa · Permanent · Lodge/Hotel Management
Description General Manager - New Entertainment & Social Venue - Hillcrest area, KwaZulu-Natal Kendrick Recruitment is conducting a search for an exceptional, commercially driven and entrepreneurially minded General Manager for an exciting new entertainment and social venue opening in December 2026 - a bold new concept combining golf simulators, darts, a bar and a strong social and events offering within one of KwaZulu-Natal's most significant new mixed-use developments. This is not a traditional GM role and we are not looking for a traditional GM. We need an operator - someone who has run a fast-paced, customer-facing business, understands what makes people come back, knows how to build revenue and takes genuine ownership of every aspect of the operation as though the business were their own. The biggest thing we are looking for is ownership mentality. The right candidate will walk in, understand where the business needs to be by December, say "right, this is what needs to happen" - and then make it happen. Please note: Candidates must be based in the area or willing to relocate to. Given the operating hours of a seven-day-a-week venue, a long daily commute is not sustainable. This is a live-out position. The right candidate could come from: High-volume restaurant groups or QSR operations Padel or participation-based sports and leisure venues Entertainment and social venues, bars or clubs Lifestyle and leisure businesses with strong customer-facing volume Any high-energy, seven-day-a-week commercial operation Golf knowledge is an advantage but is not a prerequisite. The existing team brings that capability. We are recruiting primarily for leadership, commercial strength and operational excellence. Minimum Requirements: Minimum 5 years' experience in a GM or senior management role within a high-volume, customer-facing commercial operation Proven experience managing people, recruitment, training and rostering in a seven-day-a-week environment Sound financial acumen including P&L management, budgeting, cost control, forecasting and management reporting Proficient with POS systems and comfortable using data and reporting to drive operational decisions Experience in sales, marketing, events, promotions and driving repeat business - essential Demonstrated ability to develop revenue streams through corporate, group, events and league bookings Strong bar operations and stock control experience Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision while providing clear, concise reporting upwards Entrepreneurial mindset with genuine commercial drive Tech-savvy with strong organisational and operational discipline Excellent communication and people skills Stable work history with contactable references Key Pre-Opening Responsibilities: Develop the staffing structure, recruit the team and build the full operating model Plan rosters, shifts, management coverage and operating requirements Develop SOPs, operating controls and reporting structures Oversee supplier coordination, stock planning, procurement and opening stock Set up POS, reporting requirements and operational systems Lead staff training, onboarding and operational readiness ahead of opening Work with contractors, suppliers and the development team to ensure the venue is fully operational-ready at launch Identify operational gaps and solve them proactively Once Open - Key Ongoing Responsibilities: Own the overall commercial and operational performance of Clubhouse Social Be highly visible in the venue - opening or closing as a general rule Drive footfall, utilisation, spend per head and customer return rate continuously Develop and execute initiatives that increase traffic, revenue and profitability Build a loyal customer base through events, leagues, corporate bookings and community engagement Monitor the P&L and report clearly on performance with actionable proposals for improvement Lead, develop and hold accountable a team of 20 or more staff Package: CTC: R50,000 to R60,000 per month (DOE) Performance incentive to be built into the package once KPIs and operating budgets are finalised - genuine upside for someone who grows the business Live-out position Start date: As soon as possible ahead of December 2026 opening Should you feel you are the right fit for this role, please apply with your updated CV, a motivation letter outlining your commercial track record and a recent head and shoulders photo ASAP! 📌 Please Note: If you do not receive feedback within 7 working days, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.