&Beyond is built almost entirely on the strength of remarkable people who give passionately to their roles, work tirelessly, keep the guest experience at the heart of everything they do, and care deeply about the sustainability of our communities and environment.

Every single ‘&Beyonder’ makes a meaningful difference to our success and our contribution to the world, regardless of role or function. We choose our people carefully – they are the strength and the future of our company.

Position Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Lodge Manager to lead our team on spectacular Benguerra Island, Mozambique. This is a rare opportunity to manage one of Africa’s most exclusive island lodges, delivering world-class guest experiences in a pristine and remote environment.

While operational and financial excellence are important, this role is first and foremost about hospitality leadership — ensuring that every guest, whether on their first or fiftieth visit, enjoys a personalised, unforgettable experience. This includes attention to guest delight planning, a culture of high-touch service, and an unwavering focus on staff training across all key guest-facing disciplines.

The ideal candidate will be a highly respected professional in the luxury hospitality sector, with extensive experience running a five-star property independently in a remote location. They will have strong operational, financial, and people management skills, but most importantly, they will have a proven track record of building world-class hospitality teams through continuous training, mentorship, and service innovation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Guest Experience & Guest Delight

• Champion &Beyond’s guest experience philosophy, ensuring every touchpoint exceeds expectations — from the first welcome to the final farewell.
• Personally oversee guest delight planning for:
• Repeat guests: build on past preferences, history, and personal connections.
• Stay-over guests: refresh experiences and avoid repetition while maintaining consistency.
• Special occasions: anniversaries, honeymoons, milestone celebrations.
• Implement creative, tailor-made experiences that reflect the unique setting of Benguerra Island — avoiding “tick-box” hospitality in favour of meaningful personalisation.
• Ensure flawless coordination between butlers, housekeeping, kitchen, activities, and front of house to deliver seamless service.
• Oversee quality checks in guest areas daily to maintain pristine presentation.
• Lead daily guest briefings with key HODs to align on individual guest preferences, special requests, and surprise-and-delight moments.

Hospitality Training & Skills Development

• Design and implement a comprehensive training calendar covering:
• Butler service standards – including personalised dining, beverage presentation, etiquette, and discreet guest interaction.
• Housekeeping excellence – detailing room presentation, turn-down service, linen care, and scent/ambience creation.
• Bar skills – including cocktail preparation, wine knowledge, barista training, and responsible service.
• Guest relations – anticipatory service, upselling, complaint handling, and storytelling.
• Partner with &Beyond Academy to host on-site training workshops, simulations, and assessments for hospitality staff.
• Mentor HODs to become trainers in their own departments, building an internal pipeline of skilled staff.
• Conduct live service audits and immediate feedback sessions to correct, reinforce, and elevate service standards.
• Track training outcomes with measurable improvements in guest feedback scores and repeat visitation.

Operations & Financial Management

• Manage all lodge operations, front and back of house, to the highest standard.
• Assist the General Manager to Create, manage, and monitor budgets, including CAPEX planning and expenditure control.
• Drive cost efficiencies without compromising quality or guest experience.
• Support the technical team to Ensure maintenance, equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure are always operationally ready.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, inspire, and mentor a diverse team, fostering a positive and professional work environment.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing staff in collaboration with the Human Capital team.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, set clear goals, and hold team members accountable.
• Create a culture where every team member understands their role in delivering personalised guest experiences.

Sustainability & Community Engagement

• Partner with &Beyond’s Wild Impact team to deliver community development initiatives.
• Promote sustainable practices to reduce the lodge’s carbon footprint and protect the island’s biodiversity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, suppliers, and governmental departments.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all operations comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Maintain emergency protocols and staff readiness for island-specific challenges.

OUTPUTS & DELIVERABLES:

• Consistently high guest feedback scores and increased repeat visitation rates.
• Fully implemented and monitored hospitality training programme with visible service improvement across all guest-facing areas.
• Delivery of budgeted financial results and adherence to CAPEX plans.
• Strong, cohesive, and motivated lodge team with low staff turnover.
• Fully maintained lodge infrastructure and equipment.
• Measurable contribution to community and conservation projects.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience as Lodge Manager or General Manager in a luxury lodge/hotel, preferably in a remote location.
• Proven record in training and developing high-performing hospitality teams.
• National Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management.
• Operational, financial, and people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, hosting, and guest relations abilities.
• Strong organisational skills with a detail-oriented, hands-on approach.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Excel; understanding of lodge management systems.
• Fluency in English (Portuguese advantageous).

Added Advantage

• Formal hospitality or tourism management qualification.
• Knowledge of sustainability best practices in hospitality.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Charismatic leader with a calm, approachable manner.
• High energy levels with a passion for guest delight and exceptional service.
• A natural trainer and mentor, able to inspire confidence and skill in others.
• Creative problem solver who thrives under pressure.
• Culturally sensitive and adaptable to island life.
• Ethical, honest, and aligned with &Beyond’s core values.

PACKAGE & CONDITIONS:

• Position type: Permanent, live-in role.
• Location: &Beyond Benguerra Island, Mozambique.
• Competitive remuneration package, including accommodation, meals, and other benefits.

We reserve the right to not make an appointment.

Contact information

Ziphozethu Bota