Independent Contractor – General Manager: Hospitality Services and StandardsThe Organisation requires the services of an Independent Contractor: General Manager: Hospitality Services and Standards in the Tourism and Marketing Division for a period of 2 years. The Role of the Independent Contractor: General Manager: Hospitality Standards and Services is formed to introduce modern and world-class hospitality services and standards within SANParks. The role will report to the Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing. Its downline reporting will be the Senior Manager: Tourism Standards. This position will be based at Groenkloof National Park, Pretoria.LocationGroenkloof National Park (Head Office)RequirementsBe in possession of a Degree in Hospitality and Tourism or a relevant B degree in e.g. Hospitality/Tourism/Commerce/Business Administration/Management.A relevant post-graduate qualification is an advantage.Tourism and Hospitality Management certification is desirable.Should have 5 – 8 years of work experience in the hospitality/tourism environment.Should have a minimum of five (5) years of experience at the management level.Should have experience in new product development, change management, turnaround, business improvement, or process improvement, working with cross-functional teams.Experience managing projects in a dynamic, diverse, high-energy, and fast-paced environment is an advantage.Experience working in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry will be an advantage.Understanding of the tourism and conservation industry.Knowledge of Tourism and hospitality-related policies that align with relevant legislation.Implementing business improvement initiativesUnderstanding of relevant legislation.Knowledge of project management.Understanding of relevant legislation.Sound knowledge of the application of information systems.Knowledge of governance and risk management principles.Knowledge of stakeholder management.Communication (verbal and written).Interpersonal skills.Presentation and facilitation.Change management.Financial management and reporting.Planning and organising.Problem-solving.Strategic planning.Project Management.ResponsibilitiesAct as the authority of excellence for the implementation of all hospitality standards and policies within hospitality.Analyse all relevant new and existing policies, business processes, operating procedures and work rules for impact and effectiveness, and identify areas for improvement to ensure that SANParks’ risk exposure is minimised.Develop necessary strategies, frameworks, policies, and procedures that will oversee all hospitality standards processes with SANParks.Ensure all policies, procedures and work rules are analysed with the intention of also reducing governance and commercial risk exposure to SANParks.Develop and manage hospitality improvement-related strategies for the parks to drive optimal performance and achieve organisational commercial targets.The strategic plans will align with SANParks’ strategic plans including the Tourism Growth and Recovery Strategy 2022-2030.Design and implementation of hospitality global standards within SANParks.Ensure the implementation of tourism standards policies whilst ensuring and monitoring compliance with relevant codes and industry standards of hospitality.Ensure that the tourism standards framework is shared across all affected business units.Ensure the standard should be consistent across the different parks.Lead the process of maintaining a high level of quality standards within SANParks through robust management processes.Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to modernise and transform tourism standards within SANParks.Utilise data-driven insights to recommend informed actions, monitor progress, and measure the success of change efforts.Create high levels of loyalty of customers to SANParks through dependable hospitality standards.Document and implement approved changes to streamline operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of the hospitality services in the organisation.Develop and maintain a culture of top-class customer care standards.Instil efficient, innovative, and modern practices for dealing with customer care.Guarantee a top-tier level of service and tourism standards within SANParks.Evaluate, recommend, and implement technology solutions to support improvement initiatives, including software, tools, and systems.Recommend any further technological enhancement mechanisms which will align with digital tools that are planned and already implemented for the SANParks tourism environment.Integrate modern technological tools for an efficient and ‘future-fit’ customer experience.Deliver business improvement projects on time, to budget, and to quality results in accordance with SANParks’ preferred project management principles, frameworks, and methodologies.Manage the compiling of the budget and forecast in accordance with policies, procedures, and budgetary guidelines.Report on the progress and cashflows against budget at the required intervals.Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance benchmarks to track the hospitality standards and customer experience within SANParks.Document and implement approved changes to streamline operations, efficiency, and effectiveness in line with project deliverables.Ensure change initiatives and projects are implemented according to change management principles, and that frameworks are in accordance with SANParks’ preferred methodologies to ensure effective and impactful change management from a people, process, and systems perspective.Collaborate with various SANParks business units and teams to ensure alignment and effective communication of deliverables, plans, effort, and status of the initiatives throughout the implementation process.Engaging various external consultants such as hospitality management authorities, tourism grading councils, and engineering and built environment consultants as and when required.Ensure coordination and collaboration are done in a manner to ensure alignment and effective communication of hospitality improvement initiatives across all areas of the organisation.Lead and facilitate change management efforts by building positive relationships with all stakeholders, ensuring they are engaged, informed, trained, and supported throughout the change process.Provide strong leadership capabilities and the ability to inspire and motivate through a change management process.Ensure that the hospitality management team is trained appropriately to the highest standards.Develop training and development programmes that will ensure adequate skilling of employees according to the new hospitality standards. They should also develop mechanisms to close training gaps and ensure employees are equipped with satisfactory levels of knowledge to thrive in the new work environment.Ensure employees are equipped to adapt to new environments, products, processes, and technologies, in support of the desired business efficiency outcomes.Recommend optimal resource plans, and develop training programs to skill, reskill, and upskill employees.R1,247,900.32How To ApplyInterested candidates who meet the above requirements should forward their applications accompanied by the required documentation listed below to the following:Documents RequiredInterested persons who meet the above qualifications should forward their applications which should consist of a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of qualification(s), and Identity Document (certified within the past 3 months).Applicants in possession of foreign qualifications are to submit evaluated results by the South African Qualification Authority.SANParks is committed to the principles of employment equity. Preference will be given to PDI / HDSA .#J-18808-Ljbffr