About the position
Our client is an exclusive countryside estate and retreat situated in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Offering a peaceful and thoughtfully curated environment, the property provides guests with a unique hospitality experience centred around beautiful surroundings, personalised service, relaxation, and meaningful experiences.
They are seeking an experienced, hands-on and highly organised Estate Manager to take ownership of the end-to-end guest experience and day-to-day operations of the property. This is more than a traditional property management role - the successful candidate will act as both host and operator, ensuring every guest interaction, space, and operational detail reflects the estate's high standards.
Responsibilities:
Guest Experience & Bookings
- Manage enquiries across email, WhatsApp, website, and social media.
- Convert enquiries into confirmed bookings and guide guests on available options, pricing, and experiences.
- Manage the complete guest journey from pre-arrival planning through to check-out and post-stay follow-up.
- Personally welcome guests and remain available throughout their stay.
- Coordinate rooming requirements, catering, activities, workshops, and special requests.
- Gather guest feedback and build relationships that encourage repeat visits and referrals.
Operations & Administration
- Oversee the smooth day-to-day running of the estate.
- Manage booking systems, calendars, guest records, invoices, and payment tracking.
- Ensure all guest and operational documentation is accurate and up to date.
- Maintain appropriate stock levels and coordinate the ordering of household and guest supplies.
- Ensure the property is clean, functional, well maintained, and guest-ready at all times.
- Identify maintenance requirements and coordinate external service providers.
Team Leadership
- Manage and support the on-site house and garden team of approximately six employees.
- Coordinate daily responsibilities according to guest and operational requirements.
- Maintain high standards while fostering a positive, respectful, and collaborative working environment.
- Encourage accountability, ownership, and pride within the team.
Hospitality, Events & Experiences
- Coordinate catering, workshops, events, activities, and other guest experiences.
- Liaise with external suppliers and service providers.
- Assist with on-site setups where required.
- Ensure the experience delivered consistently meets what was promised during the booking process.
Brand, Marketing and Commercial Support
- Maintain the overall look, feel, and standard of the estate across all guest touchpoints.
- Continuously identify opportunities to enhance the guest offering and experience.
- Assist with website and social media content to ensure an authentic representation of the property.
- Apply commercial awareness to bookings, occupancy, guest retention, and revenue opportunities.
Owner Communication
- Provide regular updates regarding bookings, occupancy, guest feedback, maintenance, and operational matters.
- Identify potential challenges early and recommend practical solutions.
- Maintain transparent and accountable communication with the owners.
Requirements:
- Previous experience in hospitality, boutique accommodation, guesthouse/lodge management, events, guest experience, or a similar environment.
- Previous experience managing the day-to-day operations of a property or hospitality establishment will be highly advantageous.
- Strong experience in guest relations and customer service.
- Experience managing or coordinating a small team.
- Strong administrative and financial administration capabilities, including invoicing and payment tracking.
- Comfortable working with booking systems and digital platforms.
- Strong commercial awareness with the confidence to convert enquiries into bookings.
- Flexibility to work around guest stays, including outside traditional office hours when required.
Skills:
- Natural host with a genuine passion for hospitality and people.
- Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
- Warm, professional, and confident communication style.
- Strong leadership and relationship-building abilities.
- Commercially minded with a natural sales instinct.
- Calm and solutions-focused under pressure.
- Proactive and comfortable taking full ownership.
- Tech-savvy and systems-oriented.
- Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational responsibilities.
- Presentable, emotionally intelligent, and professional.
Desired Skills:
- Hospitality
- Accomodation
- Lodge Management
- Events
- Customer Service
- Operations
- Enquires
- Bookings
- Attention to detail
- Communication
