General Manager – Luxury Private Game Reserve – Greater Hoedspruit, Limpopo | Lb Nouveau

General Manager – Luxury Private Game Reserve – Greater Kruger, Limpopo

Kendrick Recruitment is conducting a confidential search for an exceptional, experienced and commercially astute General Manager for a well-regarded luxury private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area of Limpopo.

This is the most senior on-site leadership position at the reserve, reporting directly to the Operations Director. The GM will have full operational accountability across multiple lodges and reserve areas, overseeing a broad management team that includes Lodge Managers, a Hospitality Manager, Head Guide, Executive Chef, Head of Maintenance, Procurement Manager and an on-reserve finance team.

This is a role for a proven, multi-property leader who combines strong commercial discipline with exceptional people skills, a genuine passion for the African bush and an uncompromising commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences.

Please note: This is a live-in position. Single accommodation is preferred; exceptional candidates with partners are encouraged to apply as individual circumstances can be discussed. Partner employment will be considered where a suitable vacancy exists and the candidate meets relevant requirements.

Game Lodge management experience is specifically required for this role. Candidates from hotel-only backgrounds without lodge management experience will not be considered.

Minimum Requirements:

• Proven experience as a General Manager or senior multi-property Operations Manager within a luxury private game reserve – essential and non-negotiable

• 5-star lodge experience – essential

• Strong financial management capability including budgeting, forecasting, P&L analysis, CAPEX planning and cost control

• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop a large, multi-disciplinary senior management team

• Sound understanding of HR legislation, disciplinary procedures and staff development in a remote lodge environment

• Strong guest experience orientation with the ability to maintain brand standards across multiple properties

• Solid knowledge of lodge operations including F&B, housekeeping, guiding, maintenance and procurement

• Understanding of health, safety, environmental compliance and legal obligations within a game reserve context

• Experience driving and implementing lodge management systems, operational reporting and technology

• Community relations experience and genuine commitment to meaningful community engagement

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Valid South African driver's licence

• Stable career history with outstanding, contactable references

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Operational Oversight

• Oversee day-to-day performance of all lodge operations through Lodge Managers

• Conduct regular lodge and reserve site visits to ensure operational consistency, quality and brand alignment

• Identify and resolve systemic inefficiencies and operational risks across the reserve

• Monitor and ensure the quality of guest experiences across all activities including game drives, walks, dining and accommodation

• Ensure seamless coordination between reservations and lodge operations

Financial Performance

• Manage and monitor the annual Hospitality Operations budget

• Set, review and drive lodge-level budgets, forecasts and financial KPIs in collaboration with Lodge Managers

• Analyse P&L performance across all lodges and drive group-wide profitability

• Review and approve operational expenditure and recommend CAPEX for the annual budget cycle

• Ensure cost control and resource optimisation at all levels

Leadership & Human Capital

• Mentor, performance manage and develop Lodge Managers and the broader management team

• Lead succession planning, leadership development and team culture across all lodges

• Oversee recruitment and onboarding of all lodge employees together with the Hospitality Manager

• Drive a culture of service excellence, personal accountability and operational pride

• Ensure all performance management, appraisals and disciplinary processes are conducted correctly and timeously

Guest Experience & Brand Standards

• Ensure guest experiences across all lodges are consistently exceptional and brand-aligned

• Review guest feedback, online review trends and escalation points – implement corrective measures proactively

• Maintain visibility with key guests, agents and return guests when required

• Drive year-on-year improvement in guest satisfaction and return guest rates

⚖️ Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, labour and environmental legislation

• Audit lodge safety protocols and emergency procedures across all properties

• Monitor licences, permits, insurance and lodge-level legal obligations

• Support lodge teams during crises or incident resolution

⚙️ Systems, Technology & Infrastructure

• Drive implementation and usage of lodge management and reporting systems

• Standardise operational reporting and communication tools across the reserve

• Manage vendor contracts and SLAs across all lodges

• Evaluate and implement infrastructure and technology upgrades where necessary

Community Initiatives

• Identify, develop and ensure effective implementation of community projects and support systems

• Build and maintain meaningful, beneficial community relationships

• Ensure community engagement is actioned as intended and measured

KPIs include:

• Operational audit scores ≥ 85% across all lodges

• Guest satisfaction scores ≥ 90%

• Group-wide GOP margin at or above target

• Lodge budget adherence within ±5%

• Lodge Manager retention ≥ 80% per year

• 100% compliance with legal and regulatory inspections

• Online review score average ≥ 90%

Package:

• Market-related salary commensurate with experience

• Live-in: Single accommodation provided on the reserve

• Permanent position

Should you feel you are the right fit for this role, please apply with your updated CV, contactable references 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.

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