Hospitality Property Manager, Diani, Ukunda at Tayari.live and Upani in Diani

Upani Homes https://upanidiani.com, is a hospitality company that runs vacation homes located in Diani and expanding to other locations in the coming years. We are seeking to fill the above vacancy in Diani. This is an opportunity for a dynamic, ambitious and dependable individual to grow with a growing company.

The successful candidate will have overall management of the vacation home and will report to the Directors. They will oversee all operations at the establishment and ensure efficient coordination of all the departments.

This position is based at Upani in Diani Beach, Kwale County, Kenya.

Key Duties:

Reporting to the company directors, the selected candidate’s role includes:

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

• Deliver warm, personalized, and consistent hospitality across the entire guest journey, from first enquiry to post check-out follow-up
• Ensure prompt and professional responses to all guest enquiries across email, website, and social media channels
• Maintain exceptional guest satisfaction scores across booking platforms by anticipating needs and resolving issues proactively
• Handle guest concerns with empathy and efficiency, ensuring timely resolution and continuous service improvement
• Oversee front desk operations and ensure staff uphold high hospitality and service standards
• Ensure all guest check-in documentation is accurately captured, digitized, and properly filed

Guest & Client Relationship Building

• Build genuine, long-term relationships with individual and corporate guests to drive repeat stays and referrals
• Personally engage past guests and enquiries with tailored offers and thoughtful follow-ups
• Monitor guest feedback and complaints, track resolutions, and share service improvement insights with management

Operations & Department Oversight

• Oversee and coordinate all operating departments including housekeeping, food & beverage, maintenance, security, purchasing, and administration
• Ensure smooth day-to-day operations across all departments, aligned to hospitality and brand standards
• Enforce credit control procedures, ensuring all bills, approvals, purchase orders, and confirmations are properly authorized and documented

Property Care, Physical Plant & Maintenance

• Ensure the property is always well-presented, safe, and guest-ready
• Plan, organize, and manage routine maintenance, repairs, and capital improvement projects
• Supervise maintenance teams, service providers, and contractors
• Maintain updated asset inventories and oversee monthly stock takes of furniture, equipment, and operating supplies
• Administer service contracts for utilities, safety systems, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and telecommunications services
• Ensure all public utilities and common services are functioning optimally and paid on time

Team Leadership & Human Resources

• Lead, schedule, and support staff to ensure excellent service delivery and smooth operations
• Foster a respectful, collaborative, and service-driven team culture
• Recruit, interview, onboard, train, and mentor staff
• Conduct performance evaluations, manage disciplinary processes, and resolve staff issues fairly
• Ensure all HR processes, documentation, and contracts comply with company policies and applicable laws

Finance & Administration

• Oversee utility payments, payroll coordination, receipts, expenses, and day-to-day financial administration
• Ensure accurate handling, recording, and reconciliation of all financial transactions
• Support budgeting, cost control, and financial planning efforts
• Prepare and submit timely operational and financial reports, including period-end statements
• Provide regular updates to Directors on financial performance and operational matters

Sales, Marketing & Business Growth

• Develop and support sales and marketing initiatives that drive strong occupancy and optimal rates
• Oversee the setup and execution of online marketing and digital visibility strategies
• Represent the brand professionally in public forums, networking events, and promotional activities
• Support retreats, events, group stays, and corporate bookings from planning through execution
• Maintain strong relationships with agents, partners, and strategic collaborators
• Support partnerships that align with the brand’s values and long-term growth objectives

Qualifications:

We invite applications from highly energized individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor's degree in any field is required. While degrees in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or related fields are preferred, candidates from diverse academic backgrounds and a strong interest in property management are encouraged to apply.
• Professional Experience: A Minimum of 2 years of experience in a property management role, preferably within the hospitality industry, is highly desirable.
• Candidates who have headed a department in a medium to large hotel or have been in overall management of bed and breakfasts or hotels are encouraged to apply.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences and a proven ability to manage operations efficiently in a dynamic environment.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Collaborative worker and team building ability
• Familiarity with online marketing will be an added advantage
• Proficiency in MS Office suite and use of a hospitality software
• Skillful in project planning/ tasks and able to prioritize projects/ tasks.
• Able to work under a flexible schedule
• Knowledge of content and property management systems

Advanced Skills:  

• Written and Verbal Communication Skills: Managing a team, sourcing and engaging clients involves constant communication. This can be done either through emails or over the phone, so you must have both written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Spreadsheets: Whether it is creating employee schedules, managing inventory, updating financial records or keeping track of clients, you must be proficient with spreadsheet software.
• Organizational Skills: You are responsible for keeping track of several important employee and client documents. Although technology has made this easier, they still must have good organizational skills to do their job.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Handling finances. Managing inventory and implementing a company’s procedural standards requires the utmost accuracy and attention to detail.
• Analytical Skills: Evaluating candidates as a potential fit for a particular job opening, creating sales and budget reports require good analytical skills.

Personal Skills:

• High managerial capacities
• Highly organized and efficient individual
• Pro-active and result driven
• Both team player and captain (hands-on)
• Ability to create a vision and mobilize staff towards its achievement
• Socially engaged, passionate, easy communicator, convincing and representative attitude

The property manager will be expected to supervise round-the-clock support provided by themselves and the other team members in shifts or as needed.

If you believe that your skills match the position, please apply by clicking “Apply”. You will be required to answer some questions in order to submit your application, applications with unanswered questions or that do not follow the instructions set out will be disqualified.

Only candidates that make it to the next stage of recruitment will be contacted.

IMPORTANT: 

Please DO NOT apply if the salary range is not satisfactory to you. Applications received above the salary range specified will be ignored.