Hotel General Manager, Real Estate & Administration (Zimbabwe) at African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Job Title: Hotel General Manager, Real Estate & Administration

About Job

• The Hotel General Manager (GM) will oversee the opening and management of our brand-new hotel property.
• He will play a key role in the pre-opening phase, leading the efforts to launch the property, and then continue to oversee day-to-day operations once the hotel is open and operational.
• The GM will ensure the property meets operational excellence, delivers exceptional guest experiences, and achieves financial and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Pre-Opening Phase:

• Lead and manage the pre-opening process, including recruitment, hiring, training, and on-boarding of key staff.
• Coordinate with corporate teams to ensure timely delivery of operational plans, marketing campaigns, and IT infrastructure
• Collaborate with contractors, and vendors to ensure the hotel’s physical space aligns with brand standards.
• Develop and implement pre-opening budgets, forecast and track costs, and ensure all preparations are made to open the hotel on time.
• Train the staff on group policies and procedures, including those for guest services, operations, housekeeping, food and beverage, and sales & marketing. Eventually adapt the policies to local regulation.
• Develop and implement a sales strategy to build awareness and attract guests to the new hotel, creating partnerships and local marketing efforts.
• Ensure all licensing, legal, and safety requirements are met for opening.

Operational Phase (Post-Opening):

• Oversee daily hotel operations, ensuring a smooth and high-quality guest experience in all areas, including guest services, housekeeping, food and beverage, maintenance, and administration.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic planning, pricing strategies, and optimizing occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) in line with the Group guidelines.
• Develop and manage marketing and sales initiatives to promote the hotel, maximize revenue, and improve market visibility.
• Represent the hotel at local events and business meetings, establishing a strong network and reputation within the community.
• Monitor financial performance, including operating expenses, profit and loss statements, and adherence to budgetary guidelines.
• Review guest feedback and implement solutions to resolve any issues, maintaining high levels of guest satisfaction and loyalty.
• Lead regular performance meetings with department heads, setting goals and assessing performance against KPIs.
• Ensure the hotel maintains adherence to brand standards and implements continuous improvements.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including ownership, corporate offices, and local businesses.
• Implement and enforce health and safety standards and protocols for staff and guests.
• Foster a positive and collaborative culture among staff, with a focus on guest satisfaction, team engagement, and performance excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Hotel General Manager, with a strong background in both pre-opening and operational management.
• In-depth knowledge of hotel management software and property management systems (PMS).
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and cost control.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and manage teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operational processes, and ensure quality standards are consistently met.
• Strong business development and marketing capabilities to drive sales, revenue, and brand awareness.
• Experience with upscale, or full-service hotel brands is mandatory. Prior experience in conference centers managements is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years in hotel management, with at least 3-5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience in hotel pre-opening and/or multi-property management is a plus.
• Fluency in English

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is no 6th March, 2025. Qualified and interested candidates should send their updated Resume to:  [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note: Only qualified candidates will be contacted. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Official Job Website https://www.afreximbank.com/