Hotel Manager – 4-Star Hotel | Mthatha Eastern Cape

SUMMARY:
Hotel Manager – 4-Star Hotel
Mthatha Eastern Cape

Our client, a well-established 4-star hotel with more than 300 rooms in Mthatha, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Hotel Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the property.

The successful candidate must have strong hotel operations experience, excellent leadership ability, and proven experience managing a large hotel environment. This is a senior operational role requiring a manager who can maintain high service standards, manage multiple departments, control costs, drive revenue, and ensure an exceptional guest experience.

POSITION INFO:
Key responsibilities

• Oversee the overall day-to-day operations of a 4-star hotel with 300+ rooms.
• Manage and coordinate all operational departments, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Maintenance, Security and Guest Services.
• Ensure consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
• Maintain and enforce 4-star hotel service, cleanliness and operational standards.
• Lead, manage, motivate and develop departmental managers and employees.
• Conduct regular operational meetings with departmental heads.
• Monitor room occupancy, average room rates, revenue and overall hotel performance.
• Work closely with reservations and sales teams to maximise occupancy and revenue.
• Manage hotel budgets, operational expenditure and departmental costs.
• Monitor payroll, staffing levels and productivity.
• Ensure effective stock control, purchasing and supplier management.
• Monitor Food & Beverage performance, stock levels, wastage and profitability.
• Manage guest complaints professionally and ensure prompt resolution.
• Conduct regular property inspections to ensure rooms, public areas and facilities are maintained to the required standard.
• Ensure preventative maintenance programmes are implemented and monitored.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, fire, security and hospitality regulations.
• Ensure hotel policies, procedures and operating standards are consistently followed.
• Monitor guest reviews and implement corrective actions where required.
• Recruit, train, coach and manage hotel employees.
• Conduct performance reviews and address disciplinary or performance-related matters when required.
• Prepare and review operational and management reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve hotel profitability, productivity and guest satisfaction.
• Work closely with senior management/owners regarding operational performance and strategic objectives.
• Ensure the hotel remains competitive within the local hospitality market.

• Relevant qualification in Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Tourism or a related field will be advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years' hotel management experience in a senior operational position.
• Previous Hotel Manager, Operations Manager, Deputy General Manager or General Manager experience preferred.
• Experience within a 4-star hotel environment is essential.
• Experience managing a large hotel/property, preferably 200+ rooms.
• Experience within a 300+ room hotel will be highly advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and hotel operations.
• Strong financial and budget management experience.
• Good understanding of hotel revenue, occupancy, cost control and profitability.
• Experience managing large teams and departmental managers.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Excellent guest relations and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate with experience using hotel/property management systems.
• Ability to work under pressure within a busy hospitality environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays when operationally required.
• Must be willing to be based in Mthatha or relocate to Mthatha.

• Leadership and team management
• Hotel operations management
• Guest service excellence
• Financial and budget management
• Revenue and cost control
• Staff development and performance management
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Attention to detail
• Operational planning
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Conflict resolution
• Ability to work under pressure