Front Office Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Front Office Manager in the Conferencing and Accommodation portfolio. The incumbent will supervise all Conferencing and Accommodation (ICC, Knowledge Commons and Entabeni) front office personnel and ensure proper completion of all front office duties. He/she will direct and coordinate the activities of the front desk, reservations, guest services, and telephone areas. The successful candidate will prepare monthly reports and budgets for all front office departments. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Establish, implement, and maintain operating standards, processes, and standard operating procedures for the group front office function to provide excellent service to the group’s clients and visitors;
• Schedule shifts for front office staff;
• Supervise workload of front office staff during shifts;
• Maintain working relationships and communicate with all departments;
• Verify Front Office billing;
• Monitor and manage all V.I.P 's and special needs guests and requests;
• Supervise the welcome and settling in of all guests at ICC, Entabeni and Knowledge Commons;
• Manage the lost and found procedure for all facilities in the group;
• Maintain required par stock of all front office and stationary supplies;
• Ensure that employees are always, attentive, friendly, helpful and courteous to all guests, managers and other employees;
• Ensure logging and delivery of all messages, packages, and mail in a timely and professional manner;
• Handle complaints, specific/special customer requests and troubleshoot emergencies;
• Prepare reports related to Front Office activities;
• Coordinate choice and purchase of group staff uniforms and manage guidelines;
• Perform duties and take responsibility for Safety, Health, Environment and Quality(SHEQ) matters within department and embed a culture of SHE awareness and compliance amongst staff;
• Perform duties and take responsibility for SHEQ matters within department and embed a culture of SHE awareness and compliance amongst staff.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National diploma in hospitality management or similar field with at least five years’ client services, front desk or reception experience in a 4- or 5-star conference centre
• Client services experience
• Management experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• The ability to remain positive and focused in a fast-paced environment
• Good time management skills
• Solid knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel and Word
• A professional appearance
• Quality oriented
• Conflict Management
• Practical and resource management
• Resilience, perseverance and stress management
• Flexibility and adaptability
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date:   28 May 2024