The Safari and Conservation Company: Lodge Manager — Manda Bay, Lamu Archipelago, Kenya
Location: Manda Bay, Lamu Archipelago (live on-site)
Employment: Full-time
Start Date: 1 May 2026
About Manda Bay
Manda Bay is a 22-room remote, barefoot luxury coastal lodge on Manda Island in the Lamu Archipelago. We offer boutique luxury with a strong emphasis on authentic hospitality, conservation, and exceptional guest service.
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Lodge Manager to lead the day-to-day lodge operations, maintain high service standards, grow revenue, and ensure outstanding guest satisfaction.
Role Summary
The Lodge Manager will oversee all front-of-house operations, guest services and experiences, lodge logistics, and team management functions.
The ideal candidate is highly organised, calm under pressure, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, remote environment. This role combines luxury hospitality expertise with strong leadership and operational discipline and requires living on-site as the primary operational leader and representative of the lodge.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Guest Experience
- Lead daily lodge operations to ensure seamless guest experiences across food & beverage, housekeeping, maintenance, guest activities, transfers, and menu planning.
- Coordinate guest logistics including arrivals, departures, airstrip transfers, payments at end of stay, guest activities, water sports, and special requests.
- Host guests and create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere through regular engagement during meal times and throughout their stay.
- Maintain high standards of health, safety, and hygiene in line with local regulations and lodge policies.
- Oversee inventory, supplies, and procurement, and manage relationships with local suppliers and contractors.
Team Leadership & HR
- Recruit, train, mentor, and retain a multicultural team in line with luxury service standards.
- Develop staff performance plans and training programmes.
- Prepare staff schedules, manage payroll input, and monitor productivity.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ management experience in a boutique resort, safari camp, or small luxury hotel — preferably in Kenya, East Africa, or similar remote lodge environments.
- Exceptional front-of-house and guest service experience.
- Strong organisational, planning, and time-management skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and experience managing multicultural teams.
- Fluency in Swahili.
- Kenyan citizen or permanent resident.
- Experience overseeing food presentation and working with kitchen teams.
- Familiarity with reservations systems (ideally ResRequest), Opera POS, or similar hotel operational software.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- On-site accommodation.
- Meals and drinks allowance.
- Medical insurance.
- Travel allowance.
- Accrued days off in line with hospitality industry standards.
- Opportunity to live and work in an exceptional coastal environment.
How to Apply
Please submit:
- CV with at least two professional references
- A short cover letter highlighting relevant experience and why you would like to manage Manda Bay
- Available start date
Send applications to: