General Manager

About the role

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat in Glenorchy, Otago is seeking a full-time, permanent General Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of the wider business. The role begins in September 2026 and offers a starting salary from $85,000 per year.

The operation includes Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, Glenorchy Lake House, EcoScapes, Whare Pūwaha, the Fernery restaurant, the on-site activities programme, and Akin, a café in Glenorchy township located 26 km away.

This is a key leadership appointment designed to allow the owners to step back from direct management. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall operation, with a strong focus on hospitality leadership, financial control, seasonal workforce planning, sustainability, and compliance.

The role also involves working with KinlochBrain, the business’s AI-led operations platform, which supports guest communication, staffing, compliance, and reporting. Confidence using systems and data is therefore essential.

The business places a strong emphasis on hiring for values first and technical ability second. The core values are intelligence, thoughtfulness, community, environment, relevance, and fun.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership across the full Kinloch and Akin operation.
• Manage the budget and oversee financial performance.
• Build and maintain the seasonal staffing model.
• Lead supervisor teams across accommodation, food and beverage, housekeeping, activities, and the Glenorchy café.
• Carry forward sustainability commitments across the business.
• Ensure compliance obligations are met.
• Use KinlochBrain for guest communications, workforce planning, reporting, and compliance tasks.
• Shape and develop the business as an owner-level operational leader.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in hospitality or tourism management, preferably across multiple sites.
• Strong numerical capability and experience with budget management.
• Comfortable using digital tools and AI-enabled systems as part of everyday work.
• Holder of a Manager’s Certificate (LCQ), or willingness to obtain one.
• Must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
• Experience in operations management would be an advantage.
• A background or qualification in accountancy would be beneficial.
• A hospitality or hotel management degree would be an asset.

Additional information

Employment type: full-time, permanent. Location: Kinloch, Glenorchy, Otago, New Zealand. Start date: September 2026. Salary: from $85,000 per annum.

Applicants should submit a CV along with a brief written cover note of around one page explaining their interest in the role and how they would approach it. Applications should be addressed to Toni Glover at the recruitment email provided by the employer.

Values

The organisation looks for leaders who align with its values of intelligence, thoughtfulness, community, environment, relevance, and fun.