Lead with Purpose. Deliver Excellence. Create Shared Value.

An exceptional opportunity exists for a seasoned and visionary hospitality executive to lead the Vineyard Hotel — a purpose-driven, sustainability-focused establishment renowned for its distinctive guest experience and commitment to people, community, and the environment.

The General Manager will be accountable for delivering sustainable commercial performance, exceptional guest experiences, and a high-performing, values-led culture, while shaping the hotel’s future in a dynamic and competitive market.

Why Join Us?

The Vineyard Hotel is part of the Petousis Group and we believe in creating collective shared value for all stakeholders — our people, guests, community, and environment.

You will be part of a business that:

• Prioritises people, wellbeing, and authentic leadership
• Encourages innovation, new thinking, and continuous improvement
• Has a strong culture of empowerment, accountability, and excellence
• Plays a meaningful role in social and environmental transformation in South Africa
• Is deeply committed to sustainability and responsible tourism

The Role

Reporting to the CEO of the Vineyard Hotel/Owner, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the full hotel operation, ensuring alignment to shareholder expectations and long-term business objectives.

You will lead a complex, multi-dimensional hotel requiring commercial insight, operational excellence, and people-centred leadership.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Drive revenue growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability
• Translate strategy into integrated operational plans
• Monitor market trends and position the hotel competitively

Guest & Brand Excellence

• Champion a guest experience culture
• Enhance brand positioning and market presence
• Drive product and service innovation

Operational Excellence

• Lead a large-scale operation including rooms, F&B, conferencing, and facilities
• Optimise systems, processes, and efficiencies
• Ensure compliance with South African legislative and regulatory frameworks

People & Culture

• Continue to build and lead an engaged, high-performing team
• Drive culture aligned to organisational values and strategy
• Lead transformation, succession, and talent development

Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with owners, partners, suppliers, and industry bodies
• Act as a brand ambassador in the hospitality and tourism sector

Sustainability & Transformation

• Drive environmental sustainability and responsible business practices
• Lead Employment Equity initiatives in line with legislation and approved plans
• Embed social transformation and community engagement

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Current or recent General Manager / Cluster GM / Operations Manager
• At least 10+ years proven experience at General Manager or similar senior role in a premium/complex hospitality environment
• Strong financial and  commercial acumen with a track record of profitability and growth
• Experience managing large, diverse teams and multi-outlet operations with a seasoned, commercially driven management team
• Advanced capability in strategy execution
• High EQ and CQ, with a collaborative leadership style
• Strong guest experience and reputation management expertise
• Sound understanding of global and South African tourism markets and relevant legislative frameworks
• Experience in technology-enabled operations and systems optimisation
• Operate at senior management level and able to articulate strategy clearly at board level and influence decisions with credibility and with commercial conviction

Competencies

• Strategic insight
• Planning
• Decisiveness
• Results orientated
• Team building
• Entrepreneurship
• Directing
• Organisational Sensitivity
• Providing feedback
• Ethical leadership and accountability

Qualifications & Requirements

• NQF Level 8–10 qualification in Business, Hospitality, or related field
• South African work eligibility
• Clean criminal record
• Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates in line with the Company’s transformation objectives

Remuneration

A competitive executive remuneration package is offered, including performance-based incentives, aligned with the seniority and strategic impact of the role.

Application Process

Only short-listed external applicants will be contacted.

Contact information

Tana Pickering