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General Manager - Luxury Private Game Reserve - Greater Hoedspruit, Limpopo | Sl
HotelJobs Monday, 28 September 2026Job Summary
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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