Position Title: Deputy Lodge Manager
Department: Operations
Location: Kenya
Reports To: General Manager
Role Summary
The Deputy Lodge Manager will play a critical role in enhancing the guest experience at a luxury property in Kenya, with a focus on offering exceptional outdoor and cultural activities that showcase the area’s unique environment and heritage. The successful candidate will be an energetic and approachable leader who thrives in a dynamic setting and is passionate about delivering unforgettable experiences through activities like camel safaris, fly-camping, quad biking, and helicopter tours.
Working closely with the General Manager, this role will ensure smooth day-to-day operations, particularly in guest engagement, community relations, and activity planning, while actively contributing to local community partnerships.
Core Responsibilities
- Guest Experience Leadership: Oversee the delivery of bespoke outdoor and cultural activities, ensuring each guest has an exceptional experience. Promote these activities as a key feature of the lodge stay.
- Activity Planning and Management: Lead the organization and execution of guest activities, including camel safaris, fly-camping, quad biking, and helicopter excursions. Coordinate with the team to ensure safety and quality.
- Community Collaboration: Build and sustain positive relationships with the local community, ensuring the lodge’s activities benefit local conservancies. Engage guests in meaningful cultural experiences, showcasing the lodge’s commitment to conservation and community development.
- Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and train the activities team, ensuring high service standards are maintained. Collaborate with the General Manager to foster a motivated and professional workforce.
- Health & Safety Oversight: Ensure all activities meet health, safety, and hygiene standards, conducting regular reviews to guarantee the safety of guests and staff.
- Operational Coordination: Partner with department heads to ensure all guest-facing services operate cohesively. Work closely with teams across food & beverage, housekeeping, and front desk to deliver exceptional service.
- Innovation and Enhancement: Constantly seek ways to improve the guest experience by introducing new activities and refining existing offerings. Utilize guest feedback to optimize and tailor experiences.
Qualifications & Skills
- Education: A degree in Hospitality, Tourism, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Experience: A minimum of 5 years in luxury lodges, camps, or adventure tourism with a focus on guest experience and outdoor activities. Prior leadership in similar environments is crucial.
- Cultural and Community Experience: Experience working in or with community-owned conservancies is highly valued. Familiarity with East African culture and languages, especially Swahili, is a plus.
- Guest Engagement: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for delivering personalized guest experiences. A deep interest in outdoor adventure, wildlife, and conservation is essential.
- Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a collaborative environment.
- Organizational Skills: Excellent multitasking and event coordination abilities.
- Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to solve challenges, particularly in remote settings.
- Tech Skills: Proficient in MS Office, with experience in Sage being a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Accommodation and meals included
- Health and wellness benefits
- Annual flight allowance
- Paid vacation and personal leave
- Opportunities for professional advancement
This position is ideal for a candidate with a love of adventure, culture, and delivering top-tier guest experiences, with the leadership skills to thrive in a dynamic, community-oriented setting.