General Manager

Company Description

Mantis is a leading, conservation-focused hotel group with eco-lodges, waterways and eco-escapes located all over the world. Sustainable travellers have been enjoying eco-tourism, safaris and adventure travel with Mantis since 2000. Rooted in conservation, Mantis pursues sustainable business practices and develops tourism products that are respectful of the environment and communities in which they operate. Whether small and intimate or vast and complex, on a sweeping African plain, beach-side escape or bustling city, each is an exceptional place for guests to find themselves. While uniquely different in the experiences they offer, all are linked through a collective obsession to be extraordinary, to be rare in a world that mass-produces sameness.

Job Description

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, commercial success, operational performance and financial management of Gamra by Mantis, an experiential mountain resort in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia. As the property leader, the General Manager is accountable for delivering memorable guest experiences, driving sustainable profitability, developing local talent and ensuring that the resort operates in alignment with Mantis and Accor brand standards. The role requires a visible, hands-on and commercially astute hospitality leader who can establish a strong operational foundation, lead and develop an effective Executive Committee, and ensure that each department is professionally managed by competent and accountable Department Heads. The General Manager will provide clear direction, oversight and performance accountability, while empowering Department Heads to take ownership of the day-to-day management and delivery of their respective functions. Working closely with ownership, Mantis and Accor corporate leadership, the General Manager will continue to develop Gamra as a recognised and commercially successful experiential destination, building strong relationships with local stakeholders and the surrounding community.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the property's short and long term strategic plans in alignment with owner and Mantis objectives.
• Lead the Executive Committee and establish a clear direction, priorities and performance expectations for all departments.
• Foster a high-performance culture built around accountability, collaboration, innovation and guest-centricity.
• Champion the Mantis brand values and sustainability philosophy throughout the employee and guest journeys.
• Lead change and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring that business priorities are translated into practical departmental action.

People & Culture Leadership

• Build, lead and develop a capable, engaged and accountable Executive Committee and wider team.
• Coach and mentor Department Heads, strengthening their leadership capability and ownership of departmental performance.
• Ensure Department Heads take responsibility for recruitment, induction, training, performance management, employee engagement and development within their respective departments, supported by People & Culture.
• Establish succession plans and leadership development pathways for key positions.
• Promote a positive, respectful and inclusive workplace culture, with high standards of professional conduct and employee wellbeing.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, productivity and compliance with applicable local employment requirements and workforce localisation objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with ownership representatives, Mantis leadership and corporate
• teams, government authorities, tourism bodies, local businesses and community stakeholders.
• Serve as the key spokesperson and ambassador for the resort, representing Gamra professionally
• within the local market and wider hospitality industry.
• Build constructive relationships with relevant suppliers, partners and service providers to support the effective operation and development of the resort.

Commercial & Revenue Leadership

• Drive overall commercial performance across accommodation, food and beverage, and other revenue streams.
• Develop the commercial potential of the resort as both an accommodation destination and a visitor experience for the regional and domestic market.
• Ensure effective pricing, inventory management, forecasting and revenue management strategies in collaboration with the Mantis team.
• Identify new business opportunities that strengthen revenue and market positioning while remaining aligned with the property's identity and brand standards.
• Maintain a strong focus on revenue generation, market mix, profitability, cost management and guest value.

Sales, Marketing & Market Intelligence

• Lead the property's commercial priorities in collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management and Distribution teams.
• Support initiatives to increase brand awareness, market penetration and guest acquisition across relevant domestic, regional and international source markets.
• Support digital marketing, public relations, partnerships and destination promotion initiatives.
• Monitor competitor performance, market trends, tourism developments and guest feedback, using market intelligence to inform business decisions.

Operational Leadership & Excellence

• Provide overall leadership, direction and oversight of all operational departments, ensuring that each is effectively managed by competent and accountable Department Heads.
• Establish clear departmental responsibilities, performance expectations, objectives and KPIs ensuring alignment with Mantis standards.
• Lead and hold Department Heads accountable for the effective delivery of their departmental strategies, operating procedures, service standards and financial targets.
• Ensure consistent implementation of brand standards, operational policies, SOPs and best
• practices across the property.
• Drive a culture of operational discipline, accountability, continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Conduct regular operational reviews with Department Heads, monitoring performance, identifying gaps and ensuring timely corrective action.
• Ensure that appropriate management structures, staffing levels, resources, systems and processes are in place to support effective departmental operations.
• Oversee the effective management and maintenance of the property's physical assets, infrastructure and facilities through the relevant Department Heads.
• Ensure that all departments operate in accordance with applicable health, safety, security, hygiene and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the resort, engaging with guests and employees and ensuring that operational standards are consistently upheld.

Guest Experience

• Ensure the delivery of exceptional, consistent and memorable guest experiences that reflect the unique identity and service philosophy of Gamra by Mantis.
• Ensure guest journeys are thoughtfully designed around the resort's mountain setting, experiential offering and target markets.
• Monitor guest feedback, satisfaction and loyalty indicators, ensuring that Department Heads address service gaps and drive improvement.
• Personally engage with guests and VIP visitors when appropriate, acting on feedback and championing a guest-centric culture.

Sustainability, Conservation & Community Impact

• Champion the Mantis environmental and sustainability philosophy and ensure responsible operating practices are embedded throughout the resort.
• Oversee the property's approach to responsible resource use, including energy, water, waste and other environmental impacts.
• Ensure the resort operates respectfully within its natural setting and contributes positively to the surrounding environment and community.
• Build meaningful relationships with local communities and stakeholders, supporting local employment, supplier development and community-based initiatives where appropriate.
• Ensure sustainability and responsible tourism principles are reflected in the guest experience and departmental practices.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Deliver budgeted revenue, GOP, EBITDA and cash flow targets.
• Lead the annual operating and capital expenditure budgeting process, ensuring appropriate input and accountability from Department Heads.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, financial planning and performance reporting, taking timely corrective action where required.
• Maintain effective cost control, procurement oversight, inventory management and internal controls while protecting the guest experience.
• Review financial and operational results with Department Heads and ensure that agreed actions are implemented.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable Saudi Arabian legislation, labour regulations, licensing requirements, company policies and Mantis/Accor standards.
• Maintain strong internal controls, ethical business practices and corporate governance.
• Provide leadership oversight of health, safety, security, food safety, emergency preparedness and business continuity, ensuring that appropriate plans, training and controls are in place.
• Ensure that risks associated with the resort's remote mountain setting and adventure activities are appropriately identified, assessed and managed by the responsible Department Heads.
• Ensure incidents, complaints, non-compliance and material operational risks are appropriately reported, investigated and addressed.

Asset Management

• Protect and enhance the property's physical assets, infrastructure and facilities.
• Ensure effective preventative maintenance planning and capital improvement priorities through the relevant Department Heads.
• Identify material asset risks, infrastructure requirements and investment priorities, presenting recommendations to ownership and corporate leadership as appropriate.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Tourism Management or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification or executive leadership programme is advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of hospitality experience.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years in a General Manager role within a resort, lifestyle hotel, experiential tourism destination or international hospitality brand.
• Demonstrated experience leading a multi-disciplinary Executive Committee and managing departmental performance through HODs.
• Experience operating in remote, destination-led or developing resort environments is highly advantageous.
• Previous experience in Saudi Arabia or the wider Middle East/GCC is strongly preferred.
• Experience in resort openings, operational transitions, business improvement or property repositioning will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated success in owner relations, commercial leadership, financial performance management and team development.

Knowledge & Leadership Competencies

• Proven expertise in commercial management, revenue strategy, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Strong understanding of operational standards, service delivery, quality assurance, risk management and asset stewardship.
• Inspirational, visible and people-focused leader with high emotional intelligence, sound judgement and the ability to build trust.
• Demonstrated ability to set clear expectations, delegate effectively, coach leaders and hold teams accountable.
• Culturally aware and adaptable, with the ability to lead multicultural teams and build effective relationships in the Saudi business environment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities and develop a distinctive destination proposition.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, presentation and problem-solving skills.
• Resilient, decisive and comfortable leading in a remote and evolving operating environment.

Languages

• English required.
• Arabic language skills will be advantageous.
• Additional regional or international languages will be advantageous.

Additional Information

• Be part of a growing hospitality platform
• Gain exposure to strategic decision-making at group level
• Work across a diverse, international hotel portfolio
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams
• Strong career development opportunities within a dynamic environment