General Manager - 100 Room Premier Hotel

On behalf of our client, a prominent 100-bed capacity hotel located in Nairobi, we are seeking an exceptional and dynamic General Manager to lead overall operational and commercial strategy. Situated at the heart of Nairobi's bustling hospitality landscape, the property offers a refined blend of premium guest accommodation, conference facilities, and curated dining experiences.

The incoming General Manager will assume full P&L accountability, drive strategic growth, elevate service excellence, and lead a high-performing team to solidify the hotel’s reputation as a top-tier hospitality destination in the region.

• Provide overall leadership and direction across all hotel departments, ensuring efficient and seamless day-to-day operations, with a visible, hands-on presence in the guest areas of the hotel.
• Develop and implement business strategies that drive average daily rate (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPAR) index, occupancy, profitability and long-term brand equity.
•  Oversee hotel budgets, P&L, forecasting, cost control and financial performance, taking corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure consistently high standards of guest service, hospitality, cleanliness, food quality and overall guest experience, measured against recognized luxury benchmarks and supported by rigorous guest recognition and personalization practices.
• Position the hotel's food and beverage outlets as destinations in their own right, working with the culinary team on concept, quality and local reputation.
•  Lead, coach, and develop a small, multi-skilled management team and employees, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, performance and intuitive service excellence.
• Develop strong relationships with luxury travel advisors and consortia, high-net-worth and repeat guests, key corporate clients, suppliers, owners and other strategic stakeholders.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing and Revenue teams to strengthen the hotel's market position and identify new business opportunities.
• Oversee the hotel's brand narrative, public relations, social media presence and online reputation,   including personal engagement with reviews and media.
•  Monitor guest feedback, market trends, competitor activity and industry developments to identify   opportunities for improvement and growth.
•  Ensure compliance with health, safety, security, food safety, statutory and other applicable hotel standards and requirements.
•  Oversee the maintenance, design integrity and presentation of the property, ensuring interiors, rooms, public areas, gardens and equipment reflect the hotel's aesthetic and are maintained to luxury standards, including oversight of refurbishment and capital projects.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational processes, service delivery, employee performance and overall hotel standards.
• Represent the hotel at industry events, business engagements and other external forums, acting as an ambassador for the property.
• Provide regular performance updates and strategic recommendations to the shareholders

Education

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

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in luxury or upper-upscale hospitality, including at least 3–5 years as General Manager or Hotel Manager of a boutique, five-star or small luxury property.
• Proven experience managing hotel operations, budgets, P&L and rate-led revenue strategy in a high average daily rate (ADR) environment.
•  Experience with a recognized luxury brand, collection or affiliation or an equivalent independent luxury property.
• International hospitality experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with destination food and beverage concepts, pre-opening or repositioning projects, and leading lean multi-skilled teams is an advantage

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
•  Excellent commercial and financial acumen.
• Strong operational and problem-solving abilities.
•  Guest-focused with an instinct for anticipatory, personalized service and guest recognition.
• Refined personal presentation, social ease and the ability to host high-profile and high-net worth guests with discretion.
• Strong aesthetic and design sensibility, with attention to detail in every guest touchpoint.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking and business development capability.
• High integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Hands-on, entrepreneurial and resourceful, comfortable operating without large corporate support structures.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.