Recreation Manager (Senior Field Guide)

JOB SUMMARY                                                                                                              

To oversee, coordinate and develop the personalised tours, field activities and services for the guests and visitors of the Resort.  To participate in and assist with the ecological work, and to act as the primary link between the guest and the field operations, ensuring that the standards of all equipment, animal stock and facilities used by Field Guides and guests are safe and maintained at the required standards. To be responsible for communication between guests and Guides, and for development and training the Resort Field Officers with regard to ecology, history, heritage and culture.  Daily allocation of duties to Guides in line with the Resort’s services and functionality.

SCOPE / BUSINESS CONTEXT 

• A Full Time position based at Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, The Luxury Collection.
• Number of Direct Reports – 15
• Titles of Direct Reports – Field Guides and Grooms

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

Experience:

• At least 2 years working experience in a supervisory position relevant to the job requirements.
• Experience in a similar resort would be a strong recommendation. 
• A driver’s license, and some experienced in First Aid, safety conscious, confident driving manner.

Skills and Knowledge 

• A Degree, Diploma or recognized training in Ecology, Biological Sciences, or relevant area of study.
• Training in P.R. or guest services is relevant but not essential. 
• Any of the following specialized areas of interest, ability or training would be relevant:

1) Experience of equestrian/animal care.

2) Knowledge of Falconry and avian care.

3) Archaeology.

4) Natural Sciences.

5) Professional guiding

Education or Certification 

• The candidate should have one or more of the following abilities/experiences/traits:

1) English plus one / more languages.  Fluency in Arabic / German / French / Italian / a Nordic language 

2) A First Aid Diploma would be beneficial

3) The candidate should be single or if married, without child dependent.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

The following are specific responsibilities and contributions critical to the successful performance of the position:

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• To ensure the required arrangements and guests requests for activities and tours is coordinated with Reception for guest check-in, check-out and billing procedures
• To ensure that allocated guests receive the activities, tours, special functions and excursions in an informed and educational manner, while maintaining the policies, procedures and safety systems of the Resort.  This to be done by maintaining personal contact and safe activities with the guest, and providing continuity to the guests interactions with the other departments of the Resort, coordinated with the Resort Operations Manager.
• To oversee Resort Field Guide’s department, and to ensure that this unit disciplined and well-coordinated with Front Office / Guest Relations and other resort operations.  This is to ensure that the guest receives the full services of the resort in a well-coordinated and thorough manner. 
• To coordinate with the Reserve Officer and Facilities manager the resort property pertaining to ecological maintenance and monitoring, and to ensure its sound development as part of an integrated environmental policy for the region.  This includes the routine works required for the housing and care of domestic animals, and for the continual monitoring of wild animal species.
• To pass on all relevant information, (including complaints), to the other departments in the operation, to ensure that the guest receives services in a well-coordinated and timely manner.  This includes additional information which may be relevant to developing and upgrading services, Guest History records, Management and Sales & Marketing.
• To monitor the use and maintenance of all equipment provided for the activities, tours and excursions, (including vehicles), is maintained according to the standards laid down by the Resort Management; and to report on any works to be carried out to the relevant Department.
• To ensure that the image of the Resort, the Group, Dubai and its policies are maintained through provision of a disciplined, groomed and professional approach, at all times promoting a friendly, informal and polite relationship between guests and the Resort staff.
• To actively enquire and recommend the services, activities and facilities of the resort to guests and visitors, ensuring that they are kept informed of the full range of options available to them.
• To ensure that existing knowledge which is relevant to the services of the resort is created, maintained and upgraded, in order to maintain the function of being the primary information source for visitors to the resort and to the U.A.E.

OTHER ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• The job holder is expected, as part of their guest service duties, to assist other departments in their service delivery.  This is part of the personalised services offered, and provides continuity for the guest as they move between individual department services.
• The position requires activities that may be physically demanding. The job holder will therefore require some sporting and other physical abilities.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES:

a) Customer and Service orientation: The job holder is responsible for carrying out the supervision of guests, and delivery of wide range of guest services. The job will require a person who is disciplined, punctual and aware of the customers’ needs and who has the natural ability to respond to this in an enthusiastic, open and professional manner.

b)   Adaptability:   The position calls for a diverse range of activities. Being in the ‘front line’ and dealing with guests’ requests/complaints the job holder will be required to make independent judgements which respond to individual needs. The ability to take these decisions and action the appropriate response will be part of the day to day duties of this position. 

c)   Team Orientation: The job will require the co-ordination of services from many support departments and persons. In providing the guest with the best possible services from these departments the title holder must ensure co-operation and support from the service providers.  They should therefore be aware of the limitations and capabilities of fellow staff, and be willing to participate with others to achieve results.

d)   Communication Skills:  The job-holder is expected to initiate and develop rapport, and to be informative towards their allocated guests. The ability to listen, interpret and manage the response to guests is of primary importance in meeting the guest’s expectations and enhancing their appreciation of the Resort.  Equally this applies to providing of clear and accurate information to other departments of the resort ensuring that the required results achieve the standards necessary. 

e)   Diplomacy: The job holder, in dealing with the diversity of guests and the many internal departments which will require sensitivity, and the ability to produce clear results from these interactions.  A self-disciplined, sincere and enthusiastic response to situations, people and departments will be a requirement for producing the desired results. 

f)    Professional knowledge: The job holder will be required to put knowledge and experience to practical use, utilising these skills to manage their daily resort functions, while being able to convey this knowledge to the guests, visitors and other staff of the resort.

OTHER RELATED INFORMATION:

a)   The job holder will be required to live on site in the accommodation provided.  This will be of a standard that is comparable with that made available to similar positions in Dubai.  Staff accommodation is restricted and it would be preferable for the job-holder to be unmarried.

b)   Since all Resort staff will be accommodated on the property, there is a requirement that all staff have a consideration for the comfort and privacy of others, and the temperament to maintain easy relations with colleagues.

c)   The Senior Field Guide is responsible for a staff strength of 9 Field Guides and 6 horse and camel grooms.  The job has responsibility for wildlife and the department in general is responsible for a guest oriented ‘front line’ position, which combines professional knowledge with practical management and maintenance activities in the ‘reserve’ areas:  the conduct of one’s self is critical to the guests’ perception of the resort and therefore it is seen as a “key’ position. 

 

 

 
From legendary palaces and remote retreats to timeless modern classics, each luxury hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its locale – a portal to the destination’s cultural charms and treasures. If you are someone with an appreciation for evocative storytelling, a keen interest and passion for this destination’s heritage, and a desire to deliver genuine, personalized, and anticipatory hospitality, then we invite you on our journey. In joining The Luxury Collection, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.