Assistant Manager | Luxury Lodge | Zululand, KZN

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking a dynamic and hands-on Assistant Manager for a luxury 5-star lodge based in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal. This is an exciting opportunity for a hospitality professional with strong operational, guest-facing, and team management experience to join a small, high-performing team in a luxury bush environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring exceptional guest experiences, smooth daily lodge operations, and effective team coordination, while also stepping into the Lodge Manager’s role during days off.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver exceptional guest experiences, including hosting, check-ins, check-outs, and guest relations
  
• Liaise with reservations and communicate guest preferences and requirements to the team
  
• Serve meals and beverages and assist with hosting game drives and activities
  
• Oversee daily administration, including stock control, guest documentation, invoicing, and reservations systems
  
• Conduct camp and room checks and identify maintenance requirements
  
• Manage and support the lodge team through meetings, shift planning, and task allocation
  
• Enforce standards of conduct and assist with disciplinary procedures where required
  
• Assist with staff training and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures
  
• Support the development and maintenance of guest service standards across all departments
  
• Assist with human resources functions in coordination with senior management
  
• Ensure consistent delivery of five-star service standards across the lodge
  

Requirements:

• Hospitality qualification advantageous
  
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a junior or entry-level management role within a 5-star environment
  
• Strong administrative and organisational skills
  
• Confident, approachable personality with the ability to host guests and lead a team
  
• Strong understanding of luxury lodge operations and guest service standards
  
• Excellent communication skills in English
  
• Ability to work under pressure in a remote environment
  
• Previous experience in lodge operations preferred
  

Package:

• Salary: R13,000 – R15,000 depending on experience
  
• Live-in accommodation (private flat with en-suite bathroom)
  
• Meals provided while on duty
  
• Work cycle: approximately 3 weeks on / 1 week off (6 days off per month plus public holidays in lieu)
  
• 16 days annual leave
  

Candidates who meet the above requirements and are interested in this opportunity are invited to submit their CV for consideration.