JOB DETAILS:

The Opportunity

We are launching a 30-room boutique hotel in Kampala with a strong focus on Food & beverage, social experiences, and community. The property will feature two distinct restaurants, a cocktail and wine lounge, and a co-working space.

We are looking for an experienced Hotel Manager with solid F&B leadership to oversee overall operations, drive revenue, and build a high-performance guest-centric culture.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

Lead day-to-day operations of the entire property (rooms, F&B outlets, co-working).

Develop and implement SOPs for front office, housekeeping, F&B, and co-working operations.

Recruit, train, and manage staff, creating a performance-driven and service-focused culture.

Ensure compliance with all local regulations, licenses, health and safety, and hygiene standards.

Food & Beverage Management

Oversee two restaurants and one cocktail/wine lounge to ensure consistent product quality and guest experience.

Work closely with the Head Chef and Bar Manager on menu design, costing, pricing, and promotions.

Monitor F&B cost of sales, inventory management, and waste control to achieve target margins.

Curate and maintain beverage lists (wine, cocktails, spirits) aligned with the brand positioning.

Drive F&B revenue through events, themed nights, pairings, tastings, and local collaborations.

Rooms & Guest Experience

Ensure consistently high standards in rooms, public areas, and overall guest journey.

Implement guest feedback systems (reviews, surveys) and action plans to maintain high ratings.

Manage room inventory, pricing strategies, and distribution (OTAs, direct bookings, corporate accounts).

Co-working Space & Community

Oversee the co-working area, membership models, day passes, and meeting room usage.

Build partnerships with freelancers, startups, and companies to drive occupancy in the co-working space.

Develop a calendar of events (talks, workshops, networking) that connect the co-working and hotel communities.

Commercial & Financial

Work with owners on budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance reviews.

Manage P&L for the property, with specific targets for room revenue, F&B revenue, and co-working income.

Develop and execute sales and marketing initiatives (with internal or external support) for both local and international markets.

People & Culture

Build a strong leadership team (Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, Kitchen, Bar, Co-working/Community).

Implement training programs focused on service, upselling, and brand standards.

Promote a positive, inclusive work environment that retains top talent.

Candidate Profile

Minimum 5–7 years of hotel experience, including at least 3 years in a senior role (Hotel Manager, Operations Manager, or F&B-centric Assistant GM) in a lifestyle/boutique or F&B-driven property.

Strong F&B background with hands-on experience managing multiple outlets and a bar/lounge operation.

Experience in high-service environments (boutique hotels, design hotels, lifestyle brands, or quality independent venues).

Proven track record in revenue growth, cost control, and delivering strong guest satisfaction scores.

Comfortable launching or ramping up a new property or re-positioning an existing one.

Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills; able to work closely with hands-on owners.

International experience or exposure to GCC / East Africa markets is an advantage; willingness to relocate to Kampala is essential.

Fluent in English; additional languages a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary in line with experience and regional benchmarks.

Relocation support to Kampala for international candidates (work permit, flights, initial accommodation).

Performance-based incentives linked to hotel and F&B KPIs.

Opportunity to shape and grow a boutique brand from an early stage with engaged ownership.