General Manager - Protea Hotel Durban Umhlanga

Additional Information

Job Number26086053

Job CategoryProperty Leadership

LocationProtea Mall, Corner Lighthouse and Chartwell Drive, Durban, South Africa, South Africa, 4320

ScheduleFull Time

**Located Remotely?**N

Position Type Management

JOB SUMMARY

Protea Hotel Durban Umhlanga is seeking an experienced and dynamic General Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across all areas of the hotel. The General Manager is responsible for driving commercial performance, delivering exceptional guest experiences, leading and developing high-performing teams, ensuring compliance with Marriott brand standards, and achieving financial and operational objectives.

The successful candidate will be a strong people leader with a proven track record in hotel operations, revenue generation, owner relations, guest satisfaction, and talent development. This role requires an individual who can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational excellence while fostering a culture aligned with Marriott's values and service standards.

Eligibility Requirement In line with local employment regulations and applicable immigration requirements, this opportunity is open exclusively to South African citizens and individuals who already possess the legal right to live and work in South Africa without sponsorship. Applicants must be able to provide proof of their right to work in South Africa as part of the recruitment process.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the hotel, ensuring achievement of business goals and performance targets.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to maximize profitability, market share, and guest satisfaction.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach, and develop the hotel leadership team and associates.
• Serve as the primary representative of the hotel within the local business community and hospitality industry.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all hotel operations, including Rooms, Food & Beverage, Finance, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, Engineering, and Security.
• Ensure compliance with Marriott brand standards, operating procedures, and quality assurance requirements.
• Maintain exceptional levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and the guest experience.

Financial Management

• Assume full responsibility for the hotel's profit and loss performance.
• Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
• Drive revenue growth through effective commercial and revenue management strategies.
• Control costs while maintaining service excellence and brand standards.
• Monitor key financial indicators and implement actions to achieve profitability objectives.

Sales, Revenue & Market Positioning

• Partner with the Sales and Revenue teams to maximize occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and market share.
• Develop relationships with key corporate accounts, travel partners, and community stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for business growth and market expansion.
• Actively participate in commercial planning and revenue optimization initiatives.

Talent & Culture

• Create an engaging and high-performance work environment.
• Support talent acquisition, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, Marriott policies, and employment practices.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and associate well-being.
• Drive associate engagement and retention initiatives.

Owner & Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with hotel ownership and key stakeholders.
• Provide regular business updates and performance reporting.
• Ensure alignment between ownership goals and Marriott operating standards.
• Effectively manage owner expectations and investment priorities.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, legal, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain robust risk management practices and business continuity plans.
• Protect company assets and uphold Marriott's ethical and compliance standards.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

• Minimum 2-5 years of progressive hospitality leadership experience.

• Previous experience as a General Manager, Hotel Manager, or senior hotel operations leader within a full-service branded hotel environment.

• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing P&L performance.

• Proven success in driving guest satisfaction, revenue growth, and operational excellence.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

• Strong understanding of revenue management, sales strategy, and hotel performance metrics.

• Proficiency in hotel property management and business systems.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

#LI-MM1

Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the leading hospitality brand in Africa and one of the most widely recognized hospitality brands on the continent, with over 60 hotels across South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda. If you have a passion for delivering every guest a personalized service experience and desire to be part of the ‘Coolest Hotel Brand in South Africa’, join the Protea Hotels by Marriott® team today! In joining Protea Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing globalteam, and become the best version of you.