Commercial Tourism Manager

VACANCY: Commercial Tourism Manager

STATUS: Three-vear contract subject to renewal based on performance

African Parks (AP) is a not-for-profit organization that secures a mandate to conserve through Public Private Partnerships with Governments and communities for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in Africa, and here in Malawi, AP has secured this mandate for the management of Majete Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

An opportunity has arisen for the post of Commercial Tourism Manager tenable at Majete Wildlife Reserve in Chikwawa, Malawi

The Commercial Tourism Manager will Report directly to the Park Manager, with a dotted-line responsibility to the Commercial Development Manager, collaborates closely with other park departments (conservation, finance, law enforcement, community, etc.) and engages with African Parks Headquarters for compliance, marketing, and financial support. The Commercial Tourism Manager will lead and oversee the strategic development and operational management of tourism products within the park, ensuring revenue generation, sustainability. community engagement, and alignment with conservation goals. The Commercial Tourism Manager is responsible for growing the park’s tourism brand, enhancing guest experience, increasing occupancy and profitability, and fostering key partnerships with stakeholders

1. Key Responsibilities

1.1 Strategic Development & Planning

• Develop and implement a commercial tourism strategy aligned with African Parks’ long-term conservation and business objectives.
• Identify and pursue new commercial opportunities and sustainable tourism ventures.
• Coordinate with African Parks Headquarters to ensure park tourism aligns with regional and organizational standards.
• Submit timely reports linked to AP and Majete strategic reporting requirements.

1.2 Lodge and Hospitality Oversight

• Supervise the operation of Park-owned and concessionaire tourism facilities, ensuring quality service delivery and guest satisfaction.
• Oversee budgets, procurement, and cost control within tourism operations.
• Monitor daily operations, staffing, and service standards to ensure exacting standards are maintained at our hospitality establishments (lodges, camps, restaurants, etc.)
• Serve as relief lodge manager when needed, providing on-the-ground leadership and operational continuity.
• Support the reservations team during peak periods or in the absence of key personnel, ensuring seamless guest communication and booking processes.

1.3 Marketing, Sales & Reservations

• Lead destination marketing initiatives in collaboration with African Parks’ marketing team.
• Develop packages, pricing structures, and promotional campaigns for target markets.
• Manage booking platforms, tour operator relations, and third-party agents to optimize occupancy.
• Contribute to the weekly social media posts and regular website updates.
• Monitor statistics from social media, reservations, online platforms (e.g., TripAdvisor) to adapt and respond to market needs.

1.4 Financial and Reporting Responsibilities

• Drive revenue targets and produce regular financial and performance reports.
• Monitor key tourism performance indicators (KPis), including occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure that food cost % sits below 50% (target 40%)
• Ensure transparency and compliance in all tourism-related financial activities.

1.5 Human Resource Management

• Support in recruitment, train, and manage tourism and hospitality staff.
• Foster capacity-building initiatives for local staff and promote internal career development.
• Enforce SOPs, checklists, staff code of conduct, and HR policy adherence across all tourism operations.

1.6 Conservation & Community Integration

• Ensure tourism operations align with environmental regulations and conservation goals.
• Work with community teams to incorporate local products and employment opportunities within tourism ventures.
• Support community-based tourism initiatives and income-generating partnerships.

1.7 Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure all tourism facilities comply with African Parks’ health, safety, and legal standards.
• Implement guest risk mitigation measures and emergency response protocols.
• Monitor visitor impact and implement strategies to minimize ecological disturbance.

2. Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, Business, Conservation Economics, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5-7 years of experience managing tourism operations, ideally in remote or conservation-based environments.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of ecotourism markets.
• Demonstrated leadership and operational management experience.
• Familiarity with African wildlife tourism, conservation challenges, and community engagement.

3. Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong planning and execution capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Adaptability and effective problem-solving in challenging environments.
• Passion for conservation and responsible tourism.
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

Special Conditions.
The person applying must either have the right to work in Malawi or be a Malawi citizen

African Parks is an equal opportunity Employer.

Applicants should submit their CVs with a covering letter clearly stating how their skills and experience meet the requirements of the position. At least three traceable referees should be included, but copies of certificates are not required at this stage. Applications should be emailed to recruitMalawi@africanparks.org by 16h00, 31st of May 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.

Should you not hear back from us within 2 weeks after closing date, please take it that your application was unsuccessful