General Manager

About Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino

Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino in Botswana is part of a global lifestyle hospitality brand known for balancing design, function, service, and privacy. With vibrant social spaces, stylish rooms, and locally inspired food, Avani fosters an energetic and respectful service culture. The brand has a growing presence across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Role Overview

The General Manager will lead this landmark hospitality and gaming destination, driving its commercial, financial, and operational success. This role requires strategic leadership and hands-on management to enhance revenue growth, profitability, and guest satisfaction while fostering a high-performing team culture. Managing the diverse operations of hospitality, leisure, and gaming, the General Manager must balance business priorities, engage stakeholders, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement the property's strategic business plan to grow revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities and revenue sources while strengthening competitive positioning in Botswana.
• Collaborate with Revenue Management, Sales, Marketing, Gaming, and Operations teams to optimize commercial performance.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and business planning with a focus on revenue, GOP, EBITDA, and profitability.
• Implement disciplined cost controls and productivity measures.
• Lead hotel operations and support functions ensuring operational standards, quality, safety, security, compliance, and regulatory adherence.
• Champion a guest-centric culture, elevate service excellence at all touchpoints, and use market insights for continuous improvement.
• Build, develop, and empower a commercially focused leadership team supporting talent development and succession planning.
• Establish strong, credible relationships with owners, investors, corporate, brand, and external stakeholders ensuring governance, risk management, and internal control effectiveness.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum of 15 years senior management experience in hospitality and gaming.
• Proven leadership of complex hotel, resort, or integrated hospitality and gaming operations.
• Demonstrated success driving revenue growth, profitability enhancement, and business performance improvement.
• Strong financial and commercial insight with the ability to translate data into actionable strategies.
• Experience across hotel operations, sales, marketing, and people management.
• Experienced in managing owner and investor relations.
• Proven change leader with operational improvement track record.
• International or multicultural hospitality experience preferred.
• Degree in Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Business, Commerce, or related field required.
• Master’s degree or MBA and experience in branded hotels, resorts, or integrated gaming environments is advantageous.

Leadership Qualities

• Commercially astute with ability to convert strategy into tangible results.
• Strategically focused on future business growth.
• Inspirational leader who builds confidence and teamwork.
• Hands-on approach valuing visible operational involvement.
• Innovative and curious, challenging norms to foster business growth.
• Stakeholder-centric with strong relationship-building skills.
• Resilient and adaptable in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Additional Information

This is a leadership opportunity within a globally recognized hospitality group to lead a premier Botswana resort and casino. The role offers a chance to shape future strategic direction, enhance commercial performance, and develop both people and operations.