Relief Lodge Manager

Job Description – Relief Lodge Manager Reporting To

General Manager – Lion Sands Sabi Sand

The Relief Lodge Manager provides flexible senior operational leadership across Lion Sands Sabi Sand, ensuring management continuity across River Lodge and Ivory Lodge. The role rotates between Lodge Manager and Guest Experience Manager responsibilities, providing planned leave coverage, operational support and leadership capacity according to the needs of the business.

When covering a Lodge Manager position, the Relief Lodge Manager assumes the operational accountability and authority of that role. When covering the Guest Experience Manager, the role provides cross-property guest experience leadership across both lodges.

The role requires the flexibility to move between properties and leadership functions and to adapt quickly to different operational requirements, teams and guest profiles.

• Deliver exceptional and personalised guest experiences in line with the luxury standards of MORE Collection.
• Act as a visible and engaging host, interacting with guests throughout their stay.
• Build meaningful guest relationships and anticipate guest needs to create memorable experiences.
• Proactively address guest requests, concerns, and feedback, ensuring effective and timely resolution.
• Coordinate special occasions, VIP arrivals, celebrations, and bespoke guest requirements.
• Monitor guest satisfaction and identify opportunities to continuously enhance the guest experience.
• Ensure all guest touchpoints consistently reflect the standards and reputation of Lion Sands Sabi Sand.

• Assume operational responsibility for Ivory Lodge or River Lodge when serving in a relief capacity.
• Ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the lodge and all guest-facing activities.
• Oversee guest arrivals, departures, room allocations, daily itineraries, and lodge logistics as required.
• Conduct regular inspections of guest areas and operational facilities to ensure impeccable presentation and maintenance standards.
• Work closely with Heads of Department to ensure effective communication and seamless service delivery.
• Maintain operational readiness and service excellence during periods of management transition or leave coverage.
• Monitor operational challenges and implement appropriate solutions to minimise disruption to the guest experience.

• Provide rotational leave coverage for:
  • Ivory Lodge Manager
  • River Lodge Manager
  • Guest Experience Manager (covering both lodges)
• Assume the full authority and responsibilities of the position being covered during relief periods.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for guests, team members, suppliers, and support office departments when acting in a management capacity.
• Ensure all management handovers are completed effectively and operational continuity is maintained.
• Escalate significant operational, guest, financial, or safety concerns appropriately when required.
• Support both lodges during peak occupancy periods and special events as business needs dictate.

• Maintain the highest standards of luxury hospitality across all guest-facing areas.
• Conduct regular quality assurance inspections and service observations.
• Ensure departmental standards, procedures, and brand requirements are consistently implemented.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Assist with service recovery where required and ensure lessons learned are implemented.

• Support departmental cost control initiatives and responsible resource utilisation.
• Monitor operational expenditure relevant to the area being…