General Manager: Hospitality at Phoenix Recruitment

• Wine Estate close to Franschhoek is looking for an experienced and commercially focused General Manager of Hospitality to lead their hospitality operations.
• Reporting to the CEO, the successful candidate will oversee the Restaurant, Wine Tasting Centre, Events, Accommodation, Padel Club, Reservations, Sales and Marketing, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, strong financial performance and consistent service standards. A strong sales and marketing background is essential.

Duties:

Hospitality Operations & Guest Experience:

• Provide leadership across all hospitality outlets and support functions.
• Maintain consistent standards of service, presentation and guest care.
• Ensure departments work together to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Protect brand standards and implement practical improvements to operational efficiency.
• Oversee reservations and monitor service delivery across the estate.

Financial Performance & Revenue:

• Take accountability for hospitality revenue, profitability and operating costs.
• Manage budgets and monitor departmental performance against targets.
• Work closely with the Commercial Revenue Manager on pricing, forecasting and revenue optimisation.
• Drive occupancy, direct bookings, wine sales, restaurant covers, events revenue and padel club participation.
• Identify opportunities to increase guest spend and improve commercial performance.
• Maintain effective inventory, procurement and asset controls.

​​​​​​​Sales, Marketing & Business Development:

• Develop and implement sales initiatives, marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
• Build strategic partnerships and relationships with the tourism trade.
• Oversee digital marketing strategies and guest loyalty initiatives.
• Use the estate’s varied offerings to increase visitation, brand awareness and repeat business.
• Identify new business opportunities and contribute to hospitality development and opening projects.

​​​​​​​People Leadership:

• Lead, coach and develop departmental managers and hospitality teams.
• Set clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable for results.
• Promote respectful communication, collaboration and a positive workplace culture.
• Support staff engagement, talent development and retention.
• Manage multiple departments, projects and priorities effectively.

​​​​​​​Compliance, Risk & Continuous Improvement:

• Ensure hospitality operations comply with applicable safety, legal and operational requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, controls and audit readiness.
• Identify operational risks and protect estate assets.
• Deliver projects and improvements that strengthen revenue, efficiency and guest experience while minimising disruption.

​​​​​​​Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration or a related field, and/or relevant certification in Hospitality, Food and Beverage or Event Management.
• At least 10–12 years’ experience in hospitality operations, ideally within a multi-unit or estate-style environment.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior leadership, executive management, General Manager, Operations Director or equivalent role.
• Experience overseeing multiple hospitality departments, including food and beverage, events, accommodation, guest services, wine tasting and/or leisure operations.
• A strong sales and marketing background is essential.
• Proven ability to manage revenue, costs, profitability and operational performance.
• Experience in luxury, boutique, wine estate or premium hospitality environments would be advantageous.
• A proven track record in hospitality development, implementation and opening operations.
• Strong commercial judgement and an entrepreneurial approach.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong planning, organisation and problem-solving abilities.
• A hands-on, detail-focused approach with high service standards.
• Resilience and flexibility to manage seasonal demands and changing priorities.

Closing Date: 30 Nov 2026