Director of Wellness KZN 70k-80k

DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS

Leading a transformative wellness destination within a multi-award-winning 5-star property

About the Property

This is a luxury destination in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands where exceptional hospitality, world-class gardens and transformative wellness come together to create a sanctuary of serenity, wellness and excellence. The property is positioned beyond a conventional boutique hotel — it is a destination experience built on the combination of internationally recognised gardens (including RHS Partner Garden status), luxury accommodation, premium dining, destination weddings, and a comprehensive wellness offering.

The brand personality is defined by two archetypes — the Magician (transformation) and the Caregiver (nurture) — and every guest touchpoint, including wellness, is expected to deliver both magic and genuine care.

The Opportunity

The property is significantly expanding its wellness offering into a world-class, award-calibre spa destination — more than a conventional hotel spa, a transformative wellness journey set alongside a new Serenity Garden. The expanded facility, currently under construction, will include:

• 8 treatment rooms
• A dedicated manicure and pedicure room
• Infrared sauna and traditional sauna
• Hydrotherapy
• Ozone therapy
• Steam room
• Hammam
• Rasool
• Couple’s treatment facilities
• Further wellness amenities to be finalised during build-out

Product and treatment operations are likely to be delivered in partnership with an established wellness brand under a licence or franchise arrangement (terms not yet finalised). Regardless of that arrangement, all spa staff and day-to-day operations will sit under the property’s banner and will be held to its brand promise: a sanctuary of serenity, wellness and excellence.

The Role

This is a senior leadership role with near-total operational ownership of the spa and wellness business. The Director of Wellness will report directly to the CEO and will carry full authority over staffing, standards, day-to-day management and the guest wellness experience, with budget input and cost control — CEO sign-off is required for major capital spend.

Because the facility is mid-construction, this is not a steady-state management role alone: the successful candidate will shape the wellness business from build-out through to launch and ongoing operation.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening / Build-Out

• Provide operational input into the remaining fit-out and equipment specification for treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, ozone therapy, hammam, Rasool and sauna facilities
• Lead vendor, equipment and product-house selection, including input into any licence/franchise negotiation from an operational and product standpoint
• Design the treatment menu, pricing strategy and service standards, aligned to the property’s brand and 5-star positioning
• Recruit, onboard and train the full spa team ahead of launch
• Develop SOPs, hygiene, health & safety and compliance protocols for all wet and treatment areas
• Plan the integration of the spa experience with the adjacent Serenity Garden

Ongoing Operations

• Full day-to-day management of the spa: rosters, standards, guest experience and service delivery
• Direct involvement in all spa hiring and staff management
• Maintain and continuously elevate service standards across all treatments and facilities
• Manage spa budgets and cost control, with major spend requiring CEO approval
• Own supplier and product-partner relationships (including any licensed/franchised brand)
• Ensure ongoing compliance with health, safety and hygiene regulations across all wellness facilities
• Collaborate with marketing on spa positioning, campaigns and packages
• Represent the wellness business at an executive level within the property

What We’re Looking For

• Proven senior leadership experience running a large-scale spa or wellness operation within a luxury (4/5-star) hotel, resort or destination environment
• Experience opening or launching a large luxury spa is preferred, though not a strict requirement
• Strong commercial acumen: comfortable owning a budget, controlling costs and reporting on spa performance to executive level
• Demonstrated ability to build, train and lead a full spa team from the ground up
• Working knowledge of advanced wellness modalities: hydrotherapy, ozone therapy, hammam, Rasool, infrared/traditional sauna
• Experience with premium spa product houses or wellness brands is advantageous
• An entrepreneurial, hands-on operator with a genuine ownership mentality — this role carries the authority and expectation of running the spa as if it were their own business
• Alignment with the property’s brand values — Passion, Play, Love, Real, Ownership, Discipline, Restless — and its Magician/Caregiver brand personality
• South African and international candidates will be considered; relevant work authorisation applies to non-South African applicants

Reporting & Authority

• Reports directly to the CEO
• Full authority over spa staffing, hiring and day-to-day operational decisions
• Budget input and cost control; capital and major expenditure require CEO approval

Location & Accommodation

The property is located in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Relocation assistance is not offered as standard; on-property or nearby accommodation can be made available and is open to negotiation as part of the offer.

Compensation

• Starting salary: R75,000 per month (CTC)
• Plus performance bonus
• Plus value shares, subject to company policy

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV, covering letter outlining relevant spa/wellness leadership experience, and a recent head-and-shoulders photograph (taken within the last 6 months). Please reference ‘Director of Wellness’ in the subject line.

Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.