General Manager - Wildlife Sanctuary - Plettenburg Bay

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Previous experience having worked in senior management role within conservation, eco-tourism, or hospitality sectors is preferred for the role.
• Postgraduate or specialised training in conservation management or tourism is advantageous.
• Previous experience having worked within a wildlife sanctuary or conservation organisations or eco-tourism, or hospitality operations etc is preferred but not essential.
• Proven success managing multi-site operations and diverse teams.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance systems, infrastructure, and operational logistics as well as financial and business management expertise.
• Experience engaging with tourism operators, donor bodies, and conservation networks.
• The Successful candidate must have Strategic leadership and decisive management abilities with exceptional financial, operational, and project management capabilities.
• Must be able to delegate effectively across multiple functional teams with all levels of people as well as stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Managing and overseeing the full operational and strategic responsibility for the sanctuaries, ensuring sustainable growth, ethical integrity, and organisational excellence.
• Overseeing leadership, maintenance, finance, and operational efficiency across all sites.
• Leading all sanctuary operations to ensure efficiency, visitor satisfaction, and long-term sustainability.
• Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and P&L management while maintaining full financial transparency as well as managing maintenance and capital projects across all sanctuaries.
• Overseeing all in-house and external contractors, ensuring habitats and facilities meet world-class standards.
• Leading a workforce of over 70 employees, fostering accountability, performance, and growth while maintaining sound labour relations.
• Upholding the Groups no-touch, free-roaming sanctuary ethos and ensuring compliance with NEMBA, CITES, and all relevant animal welfare regulations.
• Maintaining superior guest experiences through operational excellence and close collaboration with marketing teams.
• Cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, and the community to strengthen conservation impact.
• Ensuring safety, environmental, and governance standards are upheld across all operations.
• Delivering infrastructure and development projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
• Driving efficiencies in energy use, procurement, and staffing while safeguarding animal welfare and visitor quality.

Salary package, including benefits, is highly negotiable depending on experience gained.