Career Opportunity at Saronsberg |Cottage and Conference Manager Position

The Cottage and Conference Manager will be responsible for the daily operations of Saronsberg’s self-catering cottages and conference facilities, ensuring guests enjoy a seamless and memorable experience from arrival to departure. The role involves managing guest relations, housekeeping, and conference logistics to maintain the highest standards of service and presentation.

Location Requirement:
The successful candidate must reside in Tulbagh to ensure accessibility for weekend shifts and on-call responsibilities.

Experience Requirement:
Candidates should have prior experience in hospitality management, ideally within self-catering accommodation or conference/event coordination. Familiarity with guest check-in systems, team management, and event setup is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Services & Customer Experience:

• Check-In/Check-Out: Email guests check-in information, ensure a smooth arrival, and conduct a warm check-out, gathering feedback to improve services.
• Guest Relations: Communicate with guests pre-arrival to confirm bookings, manage requests, and arrange personalized experiences like wine tastings.

Cottage Operations & Housekeeping:

• Daily Oversight: Ensure cottages are clean, stocked, and well-maintained before guest arrivals.
• Housekeeping Management: Create schedules, inspect cottages, and manage inventory of cleaning supplies.

Conference & Event Coordination:

• Conference Setup: Arrange rooms, equipment, and refreshments for conferences, ensuring all guest requirements are met.
• Event Management: Serve as the main contact for event organizers, coordinate catering, and manage service delivery during events. Evening shifts may be required for dinner service.

Team Leadership & Staff Coordination:

• Staff Training: Lead housekeeping and conference staff, ensuring a cooperative, professional environment.
• Scheduling: Manage staff schedules, accommodating operational demands.

Administrative & Financial:

• Inventory & Budgeting: Monitor budgets for housekeeping, conference, and maintenance supplies.
• Billing & Reporting: Manage billing, invoicing, and record guest and conference feedback.

Facility & Maintenance:

• Inspections: Conduct regular facility inspections and manage repairs and maintenance.
• Vendor Coordination: Manage relationships with external vendors and contractors.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
• Basic financial and reporting experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk between facilities 

Working Hours:

• Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 17:00
• Weekends: One weekend shift in the tasting room per month. During wedding season, the Events Manager will cover weddings, allowing the Cottage Manager to be off-duty. Accumulated weekends will be worked during the quieter winter months. Flexibility for weekends and holidays during peak seasons is essential.

This role is ideal for a proactive, detail-oriented hospitality professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and is committed to creating exceptional guest experiences.