Head Guide / Tour Manager

SUMMARY:
A leader in small group adventure travel is searching for an exceptional and experienced professional to step into the role of HEAD GUIDE / TOUR MANAGER

POSITION INFO:
This is a unique opportunity to lead a team of passionate guides and ensure every accommodated adventure delivers the high standard of excellence their intrepid travellers expect. If you possess a deep, intimate knowledge of the Southern African wilderness, proven leadership skills, and a dedication to delivering the safari experience of a lifetime, we invite you to apply.

Core Criteria:

• Solid experience with complex scheduling and resource allocation.
• Experience in overland tour guiding
• Demonstrated experience in logistics, operations, and administration.
• Proven HR experience (travel/tourism/hospitality industry)
• Being highly detail-oriented is ESSENTIAL
• Strong communication and organisational skills are crucial
• Ability to manage a diverse team
• Able to work under a lot of pressure (Peak season can be very hectic)
• Adaptable and able to think on your feet
• Candidate must be able to pay exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for detailed scheduling, reporting, cash balancing, and records management.

• Recruitment of guides
• Managing their qualifications, licenses, etc
• Training of current and new guides
• Creating guide contracts for tours
• Pre-tour briefing for each tour and assisting guides with changes, etc
• Scheduling guides on tours for the year (English & German tours), and managing the vehicle schedule
• Tour debriefing on return to discuss any issues/complaints
• Analysing tour reports & client feedback forms & reporting to management
• Guide support when on tour
• Balancing of tour cash/cards & updating guides' salary books
• Check that the guides have work permits in place for cross-country tours
• Weekend departure briefings for clients (rotational basis)
• Weekend telephonic assistance when needed on the HR emergency phone (transfers, guide queries, etc)
• Update route descriptions/timing sheets, etc, when there are changes to tours