General Manager - Luxury Safari Lodge - Marataba
Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park, Hartbeestfontein, 2194, South Africa · Permanent · Lodge/Hotel Management
Job Title: General Manager Location: Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park Reports To: MORE Collection Custodian & CEO Overview This is more than a General Manager role. It is an opportunity to lead a luxury safari lodge where exceptional hospitality, meaningful conservation, and authentic human connection come together in a remarkable wilderness setting. We are seeking a seasoned hospitality leader who combines strong commercial acumen with a genuine passion for people, wildlife, and the guest experience. This role requires someone who can seamlessly balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership, ensuring that every aspect of the lodge delivers on the promise of an extraordinary safari experience. As the visible leader of the property, you will be responsible for creating an environment where guests feel personally welcomed, teams are empowered to perform at their best, and the lodge continues to strengthen its reputation as a world-class safari destination. You will work closely with lodge operations, guiding, conservation, culinary, and support office teams to deliver exceptional experiences while ensuring the long-term sustainability and commercial success of the business. For someone who finds fulfilment in developing people, hosting discerning travellers, and stewarding a luxury lodge within a protected wilderness environment, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Key Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Leadership Develop and execute annual business plans aligned to the group's vision, strategic priorities, and financial objectives. Lead all lodge operations, ensuring exceptional standards across accommodation, food and beverage, guiding, guest activities, maintenance, and conservation interfaces. Align operational goals with brand positioning, guest experience targets, sustainability initiatives, and commercial objectives. Act as the primary liaison between the support office and lodge operations, ensuring effective communication and execution of business priorities. Maintain and promote the reputation and goodwill of the Marataba brand through hosting, industry engagement, and stakeholder relationship management. Guest Experience, Conservation & Brand Standards Lead the guest experience from reservation through departure, ensuring every guest interaction reflects MORE Collection's luxury service standards. Maintain a visible presence within the operation, personally engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences. Oversee guest feedback channels and personally manage significant service recovery opportunities. Ensure all guest experiences authentically reflect the unique wildlife, wilderness, conservation, and cultural offerings of Marataba. Continuously benchmark against global luxury safari standards to drive innovation and excellence. Financial Management & Commercial Performance Develop, manage, and report on annual budgets, forecasts, and operational performance. Drive profitability through effective cost control, revenue optimisation, and strategic resource allocation. Manage procurement, stock controls, and capital expenditure in accordance with company policies. Monitor key commercial metrics, including occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, concession spend, and guest satisfaction indicators. Team Leadership, Succession & Culture Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain exceptional talent across all departments. Conduct regular departmental reviews, leadership meetings, and one-on-one discussions with direct reports. Foster a culture aligned with MORE Collection's purpose and values. Drive performance management, succession planning, and talent development initiatives across the lodge. Build leadership capability within the management team to ensure operational resilience and internal growth opportunities. Support employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives that strengthen team connection and performance. Sales, Marketing & Revenue Generation Partner with central sales and marketing teams to maximise occupancy, yield, and guest experience opportunities. Support trade partner relationships, media visits, and hosted site inspections. Identify opportunities to strengthen the positioning of Marataba within the luxury safari market. Collaborate on packages, partnerships, and experiences that enhance revenue generation and guest value. Compliance, Safety & Sustainability Ensure compliance with all labour legislation, health and safety requirements, concession obligations, and environmental regulations. Oversee lodge maintenance and asset management programmes to protect the long-term value of the property. Ensure all operating procedures and brand standards are consistently implemented and audited. Champion responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices. Develop and maintain effective risk management plans relating to wildlife, guest safety, environmental factors, and operational continuity. Conservation & Community Engagement Build and maintain strong relationships with conservation authorities, concession partners, neighbouring communities, and key stakeholders. Support conservation initiatives that enhance the environmental sustainability and long-term success of the reserve. Represent Marataba positively within the broader tourism, hospitality, and conservation sectors. Identify opportunities for meaningful community involvement, local economic development, and social impact partnerships. Required Skills & Experience Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Tourism Management, or related field. Minimum 10-15 years of hospitality experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Proven experience managing luxury safari lodges, remote hospitality operations, or equivalent luxury hospitality environments. Strong understanding of the Southern African luxury tourism and safari market. Demonstrated commercial and financial management capability. Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams in remote operational environments. Strong knowledge of lodge systems, revenue management principles, compliance requirements, and health and safety legislation. Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and people development skills. Guest-centric mindset with a passion for creating extraordinary experiences. Calm, resilient, and solution-oriented under pressure. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. High emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal capability.