Lodge Manager (Sossusvlei Desert Lodge)

SUMMARY:
Lodge Manager to run a 5* Exclusive Lodge

POSITION INFO:

&Beyond is built, almost entirely, on the strength of remarkable people who give passionately to their roles, work tirelessly, have the guest experience at the core of their focus daily and care of the sustainability of our communities and environment.  Every single '&Beyonder' makes a huge difference to our success and our contribution to the world, regardless of their role or function. For this reason we choose '&Beyonders' very carefully - they are the strength and the future of this company.  

The ideal person would be held in high regard within the tourism industry, they would have a lot of experience in running a 5 star property in a remote area independently, with a good general understanding of lodge operations, finance, and staff management. The individual should be passionate about hospitality, and have a keen interest in sustainability, conservation, and community development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Relationship building with - staff, guests, governmental departments, the community, the industry (agents and other lodges),
• Corporate Social Responsibility - working with the Africa Foundation in community development
• Business efficiencies - cost control, local produce, quality of product
• HR structure - maintaining and enhancing - understanding and adherence
• Product development on guest experience - lodge, food, game experience, all guest touch points
• Engaging - with the people, the culture, the work style, the expectation
• Regular assessment of the functionality, efficiency and strength of all operational equipment, vehicles, generators, and buildings.
• Sustainability - Analyzing the impact Sustainability has on our business and improving it.
• Reducing our Carbon Footprint
• Management of Resources
• Financial Management - Providing an oversight role of the lodge finance.
• Forecasting - Budget forecasting and ensuring the finance aspect of the lodge keep up with the ever-changing business environment.
• Training Development - Providing the needed to the team to ensure they are up to speed with the desired service standards.
• New concepts and Creative Ideas - Keep abreast with the latest trends of service delivery.
• Health and Safety at the workplace.
• Development of a superior workforce.
• Plan staffing levels.
• Work with Human Capital staff to recruit, interview, select, hire, and employ an appropriate, right number and quality of employees.
• Provide oversight and direction to the employees in your business unit in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures.
• Coach, mentor, and develop staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and opportunities.
• Empower employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals. Delegate responsibility and expect accountability and regular feedback.
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among the lodge team that allows for disagreement over ideas, conflict and expeditious conflict resolution, and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, supportiveness, and working effectively together to enable each employee and the department to succeed.
• Consciously create a workplace culture that is consistent with the overall organizations and that emphasizes the identified mission, vision, guiding principles, and values of the organization.
• Lead employees using a performance management and development process that provides an overall context and framework to encourage employee contribution and includes goal setting, feedback, and performance development planning.
• Lead employees to meet the organization's expectations for productivity, quality, and goal accomplishment.
• Provide effective performance feedback through employee recognition, rewards, and disciplinary action, with the assistance of Human Resources, when necessary.
• Maintain employee work schedules including assignments, job rotation, training, leave and paid time off, cover for absenteeism, and overtime scheduling.
• Maintain transparent communication. Appropriately communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email and regular interpersonal communication.
• Perform Department Management.
• Manage the overall operational, budgetary, and financial responsibilities and activities of the lodge.
• Plan and implement systems that perform the work and fulfill the mission and the goals of the lodge efficiently and effectively.
• Plan and allocate resources to effectively staff and accomplish the work to meet departmental productivity and quality goals.
• Plan, evaluate, and improve the efficiency of business processes and procedures to enhance speed, quality, efficiency, and output.
• Make business decisions that are financially responsible, accountable, justifiable, and defensible in accordance with organization policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain relevant controls and feedback systems to monitor the operation of the lodge.
• Review performance data that includes financial, sales, and activity reports and spreadsheets, to monitor and measure your business productivity, goal achievement, and overall effectiveness.
• Manage the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the functions of the lodge. Prepares periodic reports for management, as necessary or requested, to track strategic goal accomplishment.
• Communicate regularly with other managers, with the regional manager, the