The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa is seeking an experienced, dynamic and hands-on Operations Manager to join our senior management team. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Operations Manager will play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the lodge, ensuring consistent service delivery, strong operational discipline, departmental accountability and improved financial performance. This is a senior operational leadership role requiring a highly visible manager who is comfortable working across the full lodge operation, including Food & Beverage, Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance and Guest Experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in the daily running of the lodge and act as second-in-command when required.
• Provide operational leadership across all departments, with particular focus on F&B performance, service delivery, cost control and team accountability.
• Work closely with department heads to ensure effective communication and coordination between departments.
• Drive improvements in F&B service standards, menu execution, stock control, cost management, team discipline and overall guest experience.
• Monitor operational costs in relation to revenue and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenditure without compromising guest standards.
• Support improved GOP performance through stronger operational controls, labour planning, stock management and purchasing discipline.
• Conduct regular operational walkabouts, inspections and service checks, ensuring corrective action is taken where required.
• Coach and develop department heads and supervisors to strengthen leadership capability and accountability.
• Support staff training, performance management and internal development.
• Assist in the development and implementation of operational procedures, standards and reporting structures.
• Handle guest complaints and operational challenges promptly and professionally.
• Provide regular feedback to the General Manager on operational performance, risks and areas requiring attention.

Required Experience & Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Previous experience in a senior hotel, lodge, resort or hospitality operations role.
• A strong operational background.
• Proven ability to lead department heads and manage teams across multiple operational areas.
• Good understanding of cost control, stock management, labour planning and operational financial performance.
• A strong guest-service background with the ability to maintain high service standards.
• A hands-on and highly visible leadership style.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• The ability to support the General Manager with property-wide oversight and consistent operational follow-through.
• Experience in a remote lodge, resort or safari hospitality environment would be an advantage.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a service-driven operational leader who is comfortable working through department heads while also being willing to step directly into the operation when required. The successful candidate must be able to identify operational gaps, implement corrective action, support teams and maintain high guest-service standards while driving stronger operational and financial discipline.

• Support the General Manager in the daily running of the lodge and act as second-in-command when required.
• Provide operational leadership across all departments, with particular focus on F&B performance, service delivery, cost control and team accountability.
• Work closely with department heads to ensure effective communication and coordination between departments.
• Drive improvements in F&B service standards, menu execution, stock control, cost management, team discipline and overall guest experience.
• Monitor operational costs in relation to revenue and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenditure without compromising guest standards.
• Support improved GOP performance through stronger operational controls, labour planning, stock management and purchasing discipline.
• Conduct regular operational walkabouts, inspections and service checks, ensuring corrective action is taken where required.
• Coach and develop department heads and supervisors to strengthen leadership capability and accountability.
• Support staff training, performance management and internal development.
• Assist in the development and implementation of operational procedures, standards and reporting structures.
• Handle guest complaints and operational challenges promptly and professionally.
• Provide regular feedback to the General Manager on operational performance, risks and areas requiring attention.

• A strong operational background.
• Proven ability to lead department heads and manage teams across multiple operational areas.
• Good understanding of cost control, stock management, labour planning and operational financial performance.
• A strong guest-service background with the ability to maintain high service standards.
• A hands-on and highly visible leadership style.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• The ability to support the General Manager with property-wide oversight and consistent operational follow-through.
• Experience in a remote lodge, resort or safari hospitality environment would be an advantage.

• Previous experience in a senior hotel, lodge, resort or hospitality operations role.