Executive Director

Our client is a dynamic consortium of business ventures spanning the Energy, Real Estate, and Hospitality sectors, operating at the intersection of innovation and collaboration to apply the best sustainable business practices and deliver meaningful, reliable services to communities worldwide.

Role Description:

• The Executive Director of Operations is responsible for the leadership, performance and operational excellence of Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club's portfolio of safari lodges, camps, safari businesses and future hospitality ventures.
• Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer – Hospitality & Conservation, the role has executive accountability for the day-to-day and long-term performance of the Company's operations, ensuring exceptional safari and hospitality experiences, consistently high accommodation and service standards, effective asset management, operational efficiency and sustainable profitability across the portfolio.
• The Executive Director of Operations translates the Company's strategy and commercial commitments into operational execution. The role ensures that what the Company sells is consistently and successfully delivered across every stage of the guest journey, from reservation handover and pre-arrival preparation through accommodation, safari experiences, on-property services and departure.
• The Executive Director of Operations is accountable for operational delivery, on-ground sales and trade relationships in market, guest conversion and on-property revenue and expense management.

Responsibilities 

1. Strategic Leadership & Operational Business Performance – 20%

• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer to translate the strategic direction of Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club into clear operational priorities, business plans and measurable performance outcomes.
• Provide executive leadership across the Company's safari, lodge, camp and hospitality operations, ensuring effective execution of the Company's strategic and commercial priorities.
• Act as a custodian of the Company's operational assets, financial resources and reputation, applying a long-term ownership mindset to operational decision-making.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability across the operational organization.
• Monitor business performance through financial, operational, guest experience, asset and people indicators and ensure timely intervention where performance falls below expectation.
• Lead regular executive business reviews and property performance reviews to ensure corrective actions and opportunities are effectively implemented.
• Identify operational risks and opportunities and recommend actions that strengthen profitability, resilience, service quality and long-term business sustainability.
• Build scalable operating structures, standards and systems capable of supporting the Company's future growth and portfolio expansion.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the operational business.

2. Safari Business, Hospitality & Guest Experience – 20%

• Provide executive leadership for Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club's safari business and hospitality operations across the portfolio.
• Ensure the consistent delivery of exceptional safari, accommodation and hospitality experiences across all lodges, camps and safari operations.
• Take executive accountability for the operational delivery of the complete guest journey, from reservation handover and pre-arrival preparation through arrival, accommodation, safari activities and departure.
• Provide executive oversight of accommodation, front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, guiding, game drives, guest activities, safari logistics, fleet operations, maintenance, engineering and operational support services.
• Establish and maintain clear operating and service standards across the portfolio while allowing properties to retain appropriate authenticity and sense of place.

3. Commercial Delivery, On-Ground Sales & Financial Stewardship – 15%

• Take accountability for the operational delivery of the Company's commercial strategy across safari operations, lodges and camps.
• Build and maintain strong on-ground relationships with tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, trade partners, corporate clients and other relevant market stakeholders.
• Drive upselling and on-property revenue opportunities across accommodation, food and beverage, safari activities, transfers, retail and ancillary services.
• Ensure operational teams understand and effectively deliver commercial campaigns, packages, products and commitments developed by the Commercial function.

4. Product, Accommodation & Asset Excellence – 15%

• Drive the continuous operational enhancement of the Company's safari products, accommodation experiences and hospitality offerings.
• Ensure lodges, camps, guest accommodation, public spaces and operational facilities evolve in line with guest expectations, operational requirements and the Company's positioning.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Tourism or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years' progressive executive leadership experience within Safari hospitality, tourism or related industries.
• Minimum of 5 years leading multi-property or multi-business operations at an executive level.
• Proven experience developing and executing business strategy and organizational transformation.
• Strong commercial, financial and operational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational growth, acquisitions, new business ventures or expansion projects.
• Experience working with Boards and executive leadership teams.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed operations across multiple locations.
• Strong understanding of East African hospitality, safari and tourism markets