Nassauplein 25
2585 EC Den Haag
tel: +31 (0) 70 7 622 622
e-mail: info@duxinternational.com
For her client, Sumba Hospitality Foundation, Dux International is looking for a:
(interim role for one year, based in Sumba, Indonesia)
Origin and background of the program
Sumba Hospitality Foundation, located on the pristine island of Sumba, Eastern Indonesia (NTT), drives responsible tourism for the island by training the local underprivileged youth (17-22 yrs). Using tourism as a force for good, Sumba Hospitality Foundation breaks the circle of poverty by providing Sumbanese youngsters access to employment.
Sumba Hospitality Foundation manages a vocational hotel school that trains 60 students annually. All our students learn vocational skills in one core technical hospitality area (e.g. Culinary) and they practice their technical skills in our integrated Maringi eco-resort (9 guest rooms, restaurant, pool and spa). When our students leave campus, they are ready to do internships in 4* or 5* resorts. Upon termination of the internship, our students look for a permanent job: prior to COVID, up to 95% of our alumni were full time employed in the hospitality industry.
In 2020, Sumba Hospitality Foundation launched a new project that significantly broadens its impact. In our training restaurant Makan Dulu (MD), 20 additional Sumbanese youth are being trained on the job and prepared for employment in the tourism industry. The MD program focuses more on practical training and envisages local employment for its graduates.
The revenues generated in our eco-resort and training restaurant, are used to cover the costs of our education program, meaning SHF has a hybrid financial model. The Maringi eco-resort and the Makan Dulu restaurant are revenue-generating units that help our project become a true social enterprise.
Throughout all its activities, SHF creates environmental awareness and sets a best practice in international responsible tourism. Examples of SHF’s efforts to foster environmental conservation include its management of a 2.5ha permaculture farm, its farm-to-table menus, its innovative waste management and its solar panel field.
Local communities, guests and industry partners who interact with SHF can observe a working model of responsible tourism in an emerging destination. It is our dream to inspire them to replicate our best practices elsewhere in the world.
Structure of the organisation
As General Manager, you report to the Founder (as much as required) and to the Board of Trustees (quarterly).
The team you will lead consists of approximately 50 staff members. Working alongside you is the Head of Foundation, our Sumbanese colleague who has been with the project from the start and who is responsible for the community. You will work hand in hand with her on community project matters. Hierarchically, she reports to the Founder.
The rest of the team ultimately reports to you. You have several direct reports: the Director of Operations, the school coordinator, the hotel coordinator, the Makan Dulu restaurant coordinator, the finance coordinator and the HR officer.
The director of operations manages the security, garden and engineering team (app. 17 staff). The school coordinator is responsible for the teacher corps (app. 12 staff) and the hotel coordinator manages all guest-related services. The Makan Dulu restaurant coordinator manages the MD supervisors (app. 9 staff). Several staff combine teaching with guest service responsibilities.
Context of the General Manager vacancy
Our project launched in 2016. The first few years were focused on building traction with the local community, setting up the curriculum and identifying industry partners.
In the coming years, we want to focus on further professionalising the existing processes and on strengthening the financial sustainability of our program. An increased focus on the revenue management of Maringi and Makan Dulu as well as an articulated (international) fundraising strategy will be key to the long-term success of SHF. Likewise, a solid human resources management that can continuously create a talent pipeline for our remote location, will be crucial in maintaining our success.
As of 2022 the general management of the entire project will be transferred to one of the founder’s sons who has been working fulltime on the project for 3 years already. He currently fulfils the role of Director of Operations. In order to help him transition to the role of General Manager, we have created this interim GM role.
Responsibilities of the General Manager role
The focus of the interim GM role is twofold:
The GM is responsible for executing the activities of Sumba Hospitality Foundation in Sumba, in accordance with the vision, values and objectives set out by the Founder and the Board of Trustees.
The main areas of responsibility of the GM include:
Strategy implementation
Staff leadership and management
Financial oversight
Supported by the head of finance, implement financial procedures and guard the strict adherence to financial rules within the organisation.
Oversee the profitability of the Maringi and Makan Dulu operations and propose new revenue generation strategies.
Propose cost reduction strategies where relevant.
Process and procedure management
Stakeholder management
Program sustainability
Role requirements
Candidate profile
Our ideal candidate has
Contractual Aspects
In order to apply, please submit an updated curriculum vitae and motivation letter (in WORD format please) by January 11th 2021. Applications can be directed to info@duxinternational.com to the attention of Victorine van Manen stating ‘General Manager SHF’ in the subject line.