Overview
Head of Operations Jobs in City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa at Ambitions Travel Recruitment
Title: Head of Operations
Company: Ambitions Travel Recruitment
Location: City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
HEAD OF OPERATIONS | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
CAPE TOWN — HYBRID | 3 DAYS OFFICE, 2 DAYS HOME
COMPETITIVE SALARY + BENEFITS
Head of Operations job in Cape Town within the luxury safari travel industry, offering a competitive salary, plus benefits. This is a senior leadership role overseeing commercial performance, multi-team management and client escalations, reporting directly to the Managing Director.
▌ Do you?
Are you an experienced leader within luxury travel or the safari sector, with the ability to inspire managers, develop high-performing teams, and create a culture where exceptional client experiences are the standard?
Do you enjoy balancing commercial performance with operational excellence, using data to make informed decisions while also improving systems, streamlining processes, and delivering meaningful business change?
Can you confidently take ownership of complex client situations, operational risk, and business-critical projects, remaining calm under pressure while ensuring every guest journey reflects the premium standards expected of a bespoke safari business?
Are you passionate about Africa and excited by the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the continued growth of an ambitious, independently owned luxury travel business where your leadership will have a visible impact every day?
If this sounds like you, this could be the career-defining opportunity you’ve been looking for.
▌ Our Customer
Our client is a premium, independently owned safari operator and destination management company, delivering bespoke safari experiences for a discerning global client base. Renowned for deep destination knowledge and a personal, concierge-style approach, they create experiences that leave a lasting impression.
They are now seeking a Head of Operations who will lead the commercial and product teams, own their performance, and drive the projects and standards that keep the business ahead — reporting directly to the Managing Director.
▌ The Role
In this role, you will lead the operational teams, own their commercial performance, and drive the projects and standards that keep the business ahead.
– Build and own the KPI framework across the Sales, Groups and Product teams
– Track and analyse commercial performance — conversion, revenue, margin and client satisfaction
– Produce monthly commercial performance reporting for senior leadership
– Directly line-manage the Sales Manager, Head of Groups and Product Manager
– Set clear objectives, run regular 1:1s and lead formal performance reviews
– Act as the senior point of escalation for significant client issues
– Own operational risk, including emergency response planning and supplier due diligence
– Lead business improvement projects from scope through to delivery
▌ Experience Required
– Proven senior management experience in a hands-on operations or commercial management role, ideally within DMCs, safari or luxury travel
– Track record of driving commercial results through teams — setting targets, tracking performance and managing non-performance
– Strong analytical capability — able to read commercial data and dashboards and act on them
– Experience managing multi-function teams (sales, product, operations)
– Proven hands-on project delivery — personally designed and implemented business change
– Strong knowledge of the African safari market and bespoke itinerary businesses
– Direct experience managing client escalations at a senior level
– Comfort with AI tools and operational technology platforms
▌ Benefits
– Hybrid working – 3 days in office, 2 days from home
– Competitive Salary
– Performance based bonus
– Flexible start and finish times
– Generous annual leave allowance
– Company Provident Scheme
– Travel Industry Discounts
– Educational / FAM trips
– Values-led organisation
▌ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a Head of Operations in luxury safari travel in Cape Town?
Ambitions Travel Recruitment will share full salary and package details with shortlisted candidates.
Is safari or luxury travel experience required?
Yes — deep knowledge of the African safari market, including destinations, lodges and supplier relationships, is essential for this role. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will discuss your relevant experience during screening.
Who does the Head of Operations report to?
This role reports directly to the Managing Director, with direct oversight of the Sales Manager, Head of Groups and Product Manager.
What does a Head of Operations role in luxury travel involve?
A senior leadership role overseeing commercial performance, team management and client escalations across the operational side of a travel business, reporting to the Managing Director.
How do I apply through Ambitions Travel Recruitment?
Apply via this page. Ambitions Travel Recruitment reviews every application personally — no automated screening. Register at ambitionstravelrecruitment.com to be considered for future roles.
Who are Ambitions Travel Recruitment?
Ambitions Travel Recruitment is a specialist leisure travel recruitment agency placing professionals across all areas of leisure travel — including, but not limited to, tour operators, tailor-made travel, safari companies, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise lines, ski operators, and UHNW concierge businesses — in the UK, South Africa, GCC, Asia, and North America. Founded by Fi Morrison-Arnthal with 35+ years’ experience.
Click here to apply for this Head of Operations job, which is being recruited by Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
Ambitions Travel Recruitment places professionals across all areas of leisure travel, including tour operators, tailor-made travel, safari companies, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise lines, ski operators, and UHNW concierge businesses, in the UK, South Africa, GCC, Asia, and North America. With over 100 combined years of industry experience, we are trusted by global corporations, independent travel businesses, and growing operators to source hard-to-find specialists through a headhunting approach that reaches candidates who never appear on job boards.
â–ŒIMPORTANT
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