General Manager – Luxury Boutique Hotel / Lodge at HCS Affiliates Group

Overview:

Our client, a luxury boutique hotel/lodge is seeking to recruit an exceptional General Manager to lead the repositioning and operation of the hotel/lodge into a premier luxury boutique lodge. The ideal candidate should be a seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record in managing high-end boutique hotels or lodges and delivering world-class guest experiences. This role requires a leader who combines service excellence, operational acumen, and strong commercial instincts, particularly in Food & Beverage and digital brand building.

Location: Nanyuki

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Luxury Hospitality Experience:
  • Minimum 7–10 years in a senior leadership role within a luxury boutique hotel, resort, or safari lodge. Demonstrated success in managing properties known for excellence in service, design, and guest experience.
• Service Excellence Orientation:
  • Deep understanding of international luxury service standards. Passion for curating exceptional, detail-oriented guest experiences across accommodation, dining, wellness, and excursions. Strong track record in building and embedding a service culture that exceeds guest expectations.
• Food & Beverage Expertise:
  • Proven ability to elevate F&B offerings, from menu development to service delivery and guest satisfaction. Experience working closely with chefs to create standout dining experiences aligned with the property's brand. Strong grasp of food cost control, sourcing, kitchen and front-of-house operations, and F&B team development.
• Operational and Aesthetic Sensibility:
  • Keen eye for design, comfort, and ambiance with the ability to guide property upgrades and refurbishments. Experience in repositioning or refreshing a property to meet luxury standards.
• Leadership and Team Development:
  • Inspirational leader with a hands-on approach to building and mentoring high-performance, guest-centric teams. Skilled in creating a positive staff culture with a focus on professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Sales, Digital Media & Brand Development:
  • Digitally savvy, with a strong understanding of how to leverage social media, content marketing, and online platforms to build brand presence and drive direct bookings. Experience working with marketing teams or independently managing digital brand assets, guest reviews, and visibility across key markets. Knowledge of high-end travel agency and luxury OTA channels is an added advantage.
• Financial Acumen:
  • Solid grasp of budgeting, forecasting, revenue management, and operational cost control. Demonstrated ability to manage profitability while enhancing the guest experience.
• Cultural Fit & Adaptability:
  • Warm, personable, and professional leader who thrives in a boutique, hands-on environment. Comfortable operating in an African context, with a sensitivity to local culture, community, and context.