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Our client is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead the operations of a prestigious luxury resort in Zanzibar. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic hospitality professional with a passion for delivering world-class guest experiences, driving operational excellence, and leading high-performing teams.
We are looking for a highly experienced General Manager with a strong background in luxury resort operations and, ideally, a proven track record of successfully opening and launching luxury hospitality properties. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the resort's performance, ensuring the highest standards of service, guest satisfaction, financial results, and team engagement.
This role would suit a hands-on, strategic leader who thrives in remote resort environments, understands the nuances of luxury hospitality, and is committed to creating unforgettable guest experiences while building a culture of excellence.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the successful pre-opening and ongoing operation of the luxury resort, ensuring a seamless launch and exceptional guest experience from day one.
- Oversee all aspects of resort operations, including accommodation, food and beverage, guest services, maintenance, spa, activities, and administration.
- Develop and implement operational procedures, service standards, and brand-aligned guest experience initiatives that reflect the highest levels of luxury hospitality.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and exceptional service delivery.
- Build strong relationships with local stakeholders, authorities, suppliers, and community partners, ensuring compliance with all local regulations and practices.
- Drive commercial performance through effective budgeting, financial management, revenue optimization, cost control, and strategic business planning.
- Monitor and manage key performance indicators, ensuring the achievement of financial, operational, and guest satisfaction targets.
- Lead workforce planning and talent development initiatives, with a particular focus on developing and empowering local employees.
- Ensure the resort maintains the highest standards of quality, safety, sustainability, and guest satisfaction at all times.
- Work closely with ownership and senior leadership to develop and execute strategic plans that enhance profitability, market positioning, and long-term growth.
- Identify and address operational challenges proactively, implementing practical solutions in a dynamic and remote island environment.
- Champion a hands-on leadership style, maintaining a visible presence throughout the resort and actively engaging with guests and team members.
- Leverage experience within East Africa and island destinations to navigate local infrastructure, logistics, cultural nuances, and operational complexities effectively.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with travel trade partners, DMCs, tour operators, and industry stakeholders to support business growth and destination positioning.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Pre-opening experience – someone who has successfully led resort openings, including recruitment, operational setup and implementation of service standards.
- African market experience – ideally someone who has already worked in Tanzania, Zanzibar or other East African island destinations and understands local regulations, logistics, infrastructure challenges and cultural differences.
- Strong leadership skills – someone capable of building, developing and motivating a predominantly local team.
- Luxury hospitality background – experience in delivering high service standards, ideally within international luxury resorts or independent boutique properties.
- Commercial mindset – a GM who combines operational excellence with financial discipline, revenue management and a strong focus on profitability.
- Hands-on approach and adaptability – someone comfortable working in a remote island environment, where flexibility, independence and problem-solving are essential.
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