ABOUT LUXURY HIDEAWAYS

Luxury Hideaways is a collection of exceptional private retreats, offering guests an unparalleled experience in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. As part of DEECKE HOLDING, our properties are defined by outstanding service, exclusivity, and a deep commitment to creating lasting memories for our guests.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Country Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the commercial success, operational excellence, and strategic growth of Luxury Hideaways within South Africa and across an expanding international portfolio. As part of our strategic growth plan, we are extending operations to Mauritius in 2026 and the Seychelles in 2027 – both of which will fall within the scope of this role.

The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality landscape, a proven ability to generate revenue, and the commercial acumen to develop new business opportunities across some of the world’s most sought-after luxury destinations.

This role requires a hands-on leader who is equally comfortable building long-term client relationships, managing complex revenue strategies, and representing the brand at the highest levels.

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Achieve and exceed annual revenue and occupancy targets across the property portfolio.
• Establish Luxury Hideaways as the leading private retreat brand in the South African market.
• Build and maintain a high-performing commercial team focused on sales, reservations, and revenue.
• Develop and execute a country-level business development strategy aligned with DEECKE HOLDING’s growth objectives.
• Lead the operational expansion into Mauritius and the Seychelles, including market entry strategy, partner identification, and seamless integration into the Luxury Hideaways portfolio.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales & Business Development

• Lead all commercial sales activities, including direct sales, trade partnerships, agent relations, and corporate accounts.
• Identify and develop new revenue streams and market opportunities within South Africa and feeder markets.
• Build and manage relationships with key travel trade partners, luxury travel advisors, DMCs, and corporate clients.
• Represent Luxury Hideaways at trade events, luxury travel fairs, and networking events.

Revenue Management

• Oversee pricing strategy, rate management, and channel distribution to maximise RevPAR and overall revenue.
• Analyse market trends, competitive landscape, and demand patterns to inform commercial decision-making.
• Collaborate with property teams and the COO to set revenue targets, budgets, and forecasts.
• Monitor KPIs and performance dashboards, reporting regularly to the COO with actionable insights.

Operations & Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the team, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the UAE office, property teams, and DEECKE HOLDING senior management.
• Ensure brand standards and service quality are maintained across all guest touchpoints.
• Support the onboarding and integration of new properties into the portfolio, with a particular focus on the planned expansion to Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Manage and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, government entities, and industry bodies.
• Collaborate with the marketing, finance, and operations teams across the holding structure.
• Serve as a brand ambassador, upholding the values and reputation of Luxury Hideaways at all times.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in luxury hospitality, with at least 3 years in a senior commercial or leadership role.
• Proven track record in sales, business development, and revenue management within the luxury segment.
• Deep knowledge of the hospitality and luxury travel market; existing network of trade and corporate contacts is a strong advantage.
• Experience managing multi-property portfolios or working within a luxury hotel group or private retreat collection.
• Solid understanding of OTA channels, channel management, and distribution strategies.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, result-driven approach.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust at C-level and with luxury clientele.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• High personal standards, impeccable presentation, and a genuine passion for luxury hospitality.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, international environment.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a team.

LANGUAGES & LOCATION

• English: C1/C2 (mandatory – primary business language)
• German: Advantage
• Position is based in Dubai, UAE – frequent travel required