Lodge Operations Manager at Summit Recruitment and Search

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of a high-end safari lodge within a working wildlife conservancy in Laikipia. The role combines operational and financial management with a hands-on approach to guest experience, safari tourism, conservation and team leadership. He/She will ensure that the lodge operates efficiently and profitably while delivering an exceptional, authentic and highly personalised wilderness experience. As well as work closely with the Conservancy and wider operational teams to ensure that tourism and conservation objectives are aligned and mutually supportive.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate all lodge departments, ensuring consistently high standards of service, presentation, professionalism and operational efficiency.
• Deliver an exceptional guest experience from arrival through to departure, responding effectively to guest requests, concerns and operational challenges.
• Lead and develop the lodge team, managing rotas, daily briefings, performance, welfare, training and development, while fostering a flexible, one-team culture across departments.
• Maintain high operational standards across food and beverage, housekeeping, guiding, maintenance, security and general presentation, ensuring the lodge, vehicles, equipment and guest areas are well maintained.
• Manage lodge finances and resources, including budgets, purchasing, stock control, petty cash and expenditure, ensuring strong financial discipline and effective use of resources.
• Ensure health, safety, security and regulatory standards are maintained across all lodge operations, with particular attention to the requirements of a remote wildlife environment.
• Build strong knowledge and relationships across the Conservancy, including its wildlife, conservation objectives, communities and wider landscape, and maintain effective relationships with neighbouring properties, suppliers, guides and other stakeholders.
• Support responsible tourism and continuous improvement, promoting the Conservancy’s conservation and sustainability objectives while identifying opportunities to strengthen lodge performance, the guest experience and the lodge’s contribution to the wider Conservancy.

Key Requirements

• Bachelors degree in relevant field
• Proven experience in camp, lodge, or hospitality management, ideally within a luxury or safari environment.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and people-management skills.
• Excellent guest relations, hosting, and communication skills.
• Sound financial management experience, including budgeting, stock control, and reporting.
• Good knowledge of health, safety, security, and risk-management procedures.
• A hands-on approach to operations, problem-solving, and service delivery.
• Ability to live and work effectively in a remote environment, with flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.