Lodge Manager / General Manager
Visa sponsorship
Hospitality · Invercargill, New Zealand · Full-Time · Discussed at interview · Visa: Employer sponsored
Lead a luxury lodge in the southern South Island, listed in Invercargill, reopening on 1 December 2026 after reinstatement. Its roughly 32-hectare estate includes ten suites, two log cabins and a four-bedroom exclusive-use house for one party. A further nine suites are due in October 2027, increasing the lodge from 12 keys to 21.
This hands-on general management role combines hosting, team leadership, food and beverage, estate care and profitability. The reopening team numbers about eighteen, with direct access to the owners. International applicants are welcome; visa sponsorship will be considered for the right candidate who holds, or can obtain, the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Your English CV should show luxury hosting, budgets and remote-property leadership. prepare a lodge general management CV with your team and estate responsibilities clear.
Key Responsibilities
- Host and spend time with guests throughout their stay, overseeing pre-arrival, dining, guided outings, the exclusive-use house and farewell.
- Set and maintain service standards, working beside the team where needed and shaping the entire guest experience and service culture.
- Lead the opening and integration of nine new suites, expanding capacity from 12 keys to 21.
- Develop food and beverage with the Lodge Head Chef and lead a cross-trained team of about eighteen at reopening.
- Direct the Assistant Lodge Manager, Lodge Host, Executive Chef, Housekeeping Manager and Maintenance & Grounds Supervisor.
- Recruit, train, roster and develop staff for year-round delivery.
- Take responsibility for the lodge, cabins, exclusive-use house, staff quarters, grounds, native bush, driveways, vehicles and infrastructure.
- Hold maintenance and grounds staff to an annual estate plan covering preventive maintenance, presentation and compliance.
- Own annual operations and profitability, growing occupancy, rate, guest spend and direct and repeat business with reservations and finance support.
- Review trade weekly and report to directors monthly.
Requirements & Eligibility
- Luxury hospitality leadership, ideally at General Manager, Lodge Manager or senior operations level, with strong guest-facing leadership and a real love of personal hospitality.
- Demonstrated commercial and financial management of budgets, forecasts and operating profit.
- A background leading teams across hospitality disciplines and clear spoken and written communication.
- Judgement to lead independently in a remote location when roads close or weather changes.
- A Manager's Certificate or eligibility to obtain one before certificated duties, and a full, clean driver licence.
- Highly regarded: luxury lodge, boutique hotel or exclusive-use property management; a hotel opening, refurbishment or major development.
- Highly regarded: New Zealand luxury tourism market knowledge and experience with grounds, facilities and remote-property infrastructure.
- You must hold, or be able to obtain, the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Apply: Apply by email · WhatsApp
Visa guide: AEWV Guide: New Zealand Work Visa | JobsAbroad