Job Summary
? Hotel Operations General Manager | Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa | KwaZulu-Natal Midlands ? Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and dynamic Hotel Operations General Manager for a luxury boutique hotel and spa located in the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on hospitality leader with a strong background in luxury hotel operations, guest experience, food and beverage, and rooms division management. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the day-to-day hotel operations, ensuring exceptional service standards, operational excellence, and seamless guest experiences across all hospitality touchpoints. ? Location: KwaZulu-Natal Midlands ? Salary: R55,000 – R65,000 CTC per month (Dependent on Experience) ✨ Role Overview Reporting directly to the CEO, the Hotel Operations General Manager will oversee the operational performance of the hotel, ensuring that accommodation, restaurants and culinary operations work together seamlessly to deliver a polished, personalised and memorable guest experience. This role is ideal for a visible, guest-focused hospitality professional who leads from the front and thrives in a boutique luxury environment where service excellence and attention to detail are paramount. ? Direct Reports • Rooms Division Manager • Senior Restaurant Manager • Executive Chef ? Key Responsibilities ? Operational Leadership • Lead the day-to-day hotel operations across accommodation, food and beverage, and culinary departments • Drive a culture of service excellence, accountability and continuous improvement • Ensure seamless operational coordination between all guest-facing departments • Maintain exceptional standards across all hospitality touchpoints • Provide visible leadership during peak service periods and busy operational times ?️ Guest Experience Management • Ensure a consistently exceptional guest experience throughout the property • Drive luxury boutique service standards across all departments • Monitor guest feedback, online reviews and satisfaction metrics • Manage service recovery processes and resolve guest concerns professionally and effectively • Maintain a strong presence within guest areas to ensure service excellence ? Rooms Division Oversight • Support and guide the Rooms Division Manager • Ensure high standards of housekeeping, front office operations and guest relations • Monitor accommodation quality and guest satisfaction • Ensure operational readiness across all accommodation areas ?️ Food & Beverage Leadership • Support the Senior Restaurant Manager in maintaining exceptional service standards • Ensure smooth restaurant operations and guest satisfaction • Monitor service flow, team performance and operational consistency • Drive excellence within all dining experiences ?? Culinary Coordination • Work closely with the Executive Chef to ensure quality, consistency and service alignment • Support culinary operations to maintain exceptional food standards • Ensure effective communication between kitchen and front-of-house teams ? Team Leadership & Accountability • Lead and mentor department heads • Foster a professional, guest-focused and performance-driven culture • Hold managers accountable for operational standards and execution • Identify areas for improvement and implement corrective action plans • Support staff development, coaching and leadership growth ? Operational Performance • Monitor departmental performance and operational efficiency • Ensure staffing levels and resources align with business demands • Report operational risks, opportunities and performance metrics to the CEO • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business ✅ Requirements • Minimum 8 years' experience within the hospitality industry • Minimum 3 years' experience in a senior hotel operations leadership role • Strong experience in both rooms division and food & beverage operations • Previous experience within luxury boutique hotels, lodges or premium hospitality environments preferred • Proven ability to lead department heads and operational teams • Strong guest relations and service recovery experience • Excellent communication, leadership and people management skills • Strong understanding of luxury service standards and guest experience management • Ability to work flexible senior management hours based on operational requirements ? Ideal Candidate Profile • Warm, professional and highly guest-focused • Hands-on operational leader • Calm and composed under pressure • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities • Highly visible and engaged within the operation • Exceptional leadership and mentoring skills • Strong organisational and coordination abilities • Passionate about service excellence and hospitality • Comfortable working in a boutique, high-touch guest environment • Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence ⏰ Working Environment • Senior operational leadership position • Weekend, public holiday and peak-period availability required • Regular involvement during weddings, events and busy trading periods • Visible leadership presence across the operation essential ✨ What's on Offer • Opportunity to lead operations within a respected luxury boutique hospitality property • Dynamic and rewarding leadership role • Professional and supportive working environment • Competitive salary package based on experience • Excellent opportunity for long-term career growth and development ? To apply, please send your CV today! ⚠️ Please note: Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 7 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful.