Strategic Business Partner | Royal Malewane Lodges

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

The Strategic Business Partner for Royal Malewane Lodges serves as a key financial and strategic advisor, working in close partnership with the leadership teams of both the lodges and our Cape Town-based Head Office.
With a strong emphasis on financial analysis, the role provides deep strategic insight, robust commercial acumen, and practical support to align functional capabilities with business priorities. The Strategic Business Partner bridges leadership intent with operational and financial reality by delivering tailored, data-driven, insight-led solutions that drive enhanced performance, profitability, cost efficiency, and consistent financial outcomes across Royal Malewane Lodges.
Through financial modelling, performance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial decision support, this position empowers management teams to optimize resource allocation, maximize revenue opportunities and safeguard sustainable growth, ultimately enabling them to deliver on The Royal Portfolio's purpose, which is "to give our guests a complete experience and a perfect stay".

Duties & Responsibilities:

1: Business Partnering & Strategic Involvement

• Act as a trusted financial and commercial partner to MD, Group FD, RML Executive GM and GMs
• Develop a deep understanding of lodge operations, strategy, and performance drivers
• Translate group strategy into practical, lodge-level financial insights and actions
• Present financials in monthly and quarterly reviews
• Maintain a visible on-property presence across all Royal Malewane lodges

2: Operational Decision Support

• Provide timely, insightful financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions
• Partner with operational teams on initiatives impacting revenue, cost, efficiency, or guest experience
• Challenge assumptions and proposals constructively, using data and commercial logic

3: Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to group financial policies, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Support lodges in meeting deadlines for AP, AR, payroll, approvals, and reporting
• Act as a first line of defense for financial risk at lodge level

4: Financial Management & Reporting

• Ensure accurate, timely monthly management accounts and lodge P&Ls
• Support lodge leadership in understanding financial performance and variances
• Assist with interpretation of results, trends, and forward-looking indicators

5: Cost Control and Efficiency

• Monitor key cost drivers and identify opportunities for efficiency and savings
• Support procurement, supply chain, and operational teams with cost analysis and insights
• Drive financially sound decision-making without compromising guest experience

6: Budgeting & Forecasting Accuracy

• Lead and support annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting for the lodges
• Work collaboratively with GMs to ensure budgets are realistic, aligned, and strategically sound
• Monitor performance against budget and forecast, highlighting risks early

Requirements & Qualifications:

• A variety of professional backgrounds will be considered, provided the candidate demonstrates strong commercial acumen and financial literacy. Suitable pathways include:
  • CA(SA) or similar accounting qualification
  • BCom (Management, Finance, Business Analytics or similar)
  • Supply Chain, Commercial, or Business Analysis background with strong financial exposure
• Managerial experience in a 5 Star Hotel or Lodge group 
• At least 5+ years in a managerial role 
• Strong financial literacy and analytical capability
• Ability to interpret financial data and translate it into practical business insights
• Comfortable working remotely with senior stakeholders across locations
• Excellent time management and ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent computer literacy – MS Office, advanced Excel, Inventory systems (Procure an advantage)
• Systems driven
• Attention to detail
• Sense of urgency
• Ability to work under pressure
• Commercially astute, confident, and assertive when required
• Comfortable engaging with strong personalities and challenging constructively
• Collaborative, relationship-driven, and emotionally intelligent
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to work independently
• High integrity and professional maturity
• Clear verbal and written communication

It is important that the candidate is able to work as part of a team and is a good cultural fit for The Royal Portfolio.
South African citizenship is advantageous. A valid work permit is essential if you are not in possession of a South African ID document.
Please note it is a condition of employment, that all staff undergo a pre-employment polygraph test.