Deputy Lodge Manager – Live-In Employment at RMV Recruitment Solutions

The Opportunity

• An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced, hands-on and guest-focused Deputy Lodge Manager to support the Lodge Manager with the overall operation of a luxury safari lodge.
• The Deputy Lodge Manager will assist in overseeing daily lodge operations, guest services, food and beverage, housekeeping, front office, staff management and general administration.
• The successful candidate must be a visible and approachable leader who is comfortable working across departments, interacting with guests and stepping into the Lodge Manager’s responsibilities when required.
• This position is ideally suited to a hospitality professional who has gained supervisory or junior management experience within a luxury lodge, boutique hotel, resort or similar guest-focused environment and is ready to progress into a broader operational management role.

Key Responsibilities
Lodge Operations

• Support the Lodge Manager with the efficient day-to-day running of the lodge.
• Assist in coordinating the activities of the front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, maintenance, guiding and administrative departments.
• Ensure that all operational areas are prepared and maintained according to the lodge’s standards.
• Conduct regular operational checks throughout the lodge and guest areas.
• Identify service, maintenance or operational concerns and ensure that corrective action is taken promptly.
• Assume responsibility for the lodge operation when the Lodge Manager is unavailable or off duty.
• Assist with managing guest arrivals, departures, special occasions and VIP arrangements.
• Ensure that departmental handovers and management reports are completed accurately.

Guest Experience

• Maintain a visible management presence and engage with guests throughout their stay.
• Welcome guests and ensure that they receive a professional, personalised and memorable lodge experience.
• Monitor guest satisfaction and respond promptly and professionally to requests, concerns or complaints.
• Assist with coordinating guest itineraries, meals, game drives, activities and special arrangements.
• Ensure that guest preferences, dietary requirements and special requests are communicated to the relevant departments.
• Build positive relationships with guests while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Support the team in consistently exceeding guest expectations.

Food and Beverage Operations

• Assist with supervising restaurant, bar, dining and beverage operations.
• Ensure that meal services, beverage service and guest dining experiences meet the required standards.
• Monitor food presentation, service delivery, cleanliness and staff readiness.
• Work closely with the kitchen and front-of-house teams to ensure effective communication and service coordination.
• Assist with stock control, beverage management, ordering and minimising unnecessary waste.
• Support special dining experiences, bush dinners, events and private guest functions where required.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene, food safety and responsible service standards.

Housekeeping and Front Office

• Support the housekeeping team in maintaining excellent cleanliness, presentation and room-readiness standards.
• Conduct guest-room and public-area inspections where required.
• Assist with front-office operations, reservations, check-ins, check-outs and guest account queries.
• Ensure that guest information and operational records are captured accurately.
• Monitor room allocations and communicate occupancy requirements to the relevant departments.
• Assist with resolving booking, billing or guest-service discrepancies.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Assist with supervising, motivating and supporting lodge employees across all operational departments.
• Allocate duties and ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and daily priorities.
• Lead by example and promote professionalism, teamwork and accountability.
• Assist with staff induction, training, coaching and performance management.
• Monitor staff attendance, conduct, productivity and presentation.
• Assist with preparing staff rosters and coordinating leave schedules.
• Address minor employee concerns and escalate serious disciplinary or performance matters to senior management or Human Resources.
• Support a respectful and inclusive working environment.
• Encourage ongoing service training and skills development.

Financial and Administrative Support

• Assist the Lodge Manager with budget monitoring, cost control and operational expenditure.
• Support stock counts, purchasing, invoice verification and supplier administration.
• Monitor departmental expenses and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency.
• Assist with managing cash-ups, guest accounts and financial reconciliations where required.
• Prepare or contribute to daily, weekly and monthly operational reports.
• Maintain accurate administrative records and lodge documentation.
• Support payroll-related administration, timesheets and employee records where required.
• Ensure that company procedures and internal controls are followed.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Ensure that lodge operations comply with applicable health, safety, hygiene and environmental requirements.
• Assist with implementing emergency, fire, evacuation and incident-management procedures.
• Report hazards, maintenance concerns and security risks promptly.
• Ensure that employees follow the lodge’s safety procedures and operating standards.
• Support environmentally responsible practices and the responsible use of water, energy and other resources.
• Maintain guest and company confidentiality at all times.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Matric or Grade 12.
• A hospitality management diploma, degree or relevant tertiary qualification would be advantageous.
• At least three to five years’ experience within the hospitality industry.
• Previous supervisory, assistant management or duty management experience within a lodge, hotel, resort or similar hospitality environment.
• Previous experience within a luxury safari lodge or remote lodge environment would be highly advantageous.
• Strong operational understanding of guest services, housekeeping, front office and food and beverage.
• Proven experience supervising and motivating hospitality employees.
• Strong guest-relations and complaint-resolution skills.
• Sound administrative, reporting and basic financial-management capabilities.
• Computer literacy, including experience using Microsoft Office and hospitality-related systems.
• A valid South African driver’s license.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, weekends, public holidays and split shifts according to operational requirements.
• Willingness to reside on-site in a remote game-reserve environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong operational leadership.
• Exceptional guest-service orientation.
• Professional and confident communication.
• Staff supervision and team development.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Conflict and complaint resolution.
• Planning and organisational ability.
• Attention to detail.
• Financial and stock-control awareness.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Cultural awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• High levels of integrity, accountability and confidentiality.
• A hands-on and solution-focused management approach.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• The ideal candidate will be a mature, dependable and energetic hospitality professional who enjoys being actively involved in lodge operations.
• The successful candidate must be comfortable engaging with guests, supporting employees, resolving operational challenges and assisting wherever required. They must be able to balance guest satisfaction, staff leadership, cost control and service standards within a demanding remote lodge environment.
• This role requires someone who is not office-bound and who is prepared to be visible and involved across all lodge departments.