MVT Vrindavan, India
General Manager Vacancy – Job Description
July 2020
MVT is searching for a new General Manager for its guesthouse and apartment complex in Vrindavan, India. This is an important and responsible role reporting directly to the MVT Trustees. Please see our website for more information about our Vrindavan activities.
1. Position Summary
a. As General Manager you will be directly accountable and responsible for all aspects of the day to day and long term business operations of the entire MVT Vrindavan project, including the guesthouse, restaurant and apartment complex. Your responsibilities will include managing all staff, apartment members and guests.
b. You will be expected to conduct yourself with the highest integrity, and become an ambassador for the MVT brand whilst providing strong leadership and management throughout all departments. You should be a strategic thinker and problem solver with the ability to enhance our culture of excellent customer service in hospitality. You should be willing and able to take on new challenges and accept and execute the instructions of the MVT’s board of Trustees.
c. The role has solid growth opportunities as MVT plans to expand its activities as the economy recovers.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
a. Ensure a safe environment for all our residents, guests and staff by ensuring the property and staff are legally compliant under Occupational Health & Safety Acts, fire regulations and other legal requirements. This includes social distancing and health concerns during the Covid crisis.
b. Oversee the entire technology stack of MVT Vrindavan. Technology is a key part of this role, and you must be comfortable with tools like Slack, Gmail, Spreadsheets, Google Drive, LastPass, Adobe Acrobat Pro, room booking software, payment gateways and so on.
c. Hold regular briefings and meetings with heads of departments and the Trustees.
d. Ensure full compliance to, and further develop, MVTs standard operating policies, procedures and service standards.
e. Lead all key property issues including construction and refurbishment projects.
f. Oversee monthly financial reporting together with the Trust Manager and develop a strong understanding of our monthly financial reports in order to react with strategies for improvement where required.
g. Responsibility for preparing, presenting and execution of guesthouse and restaurant annual operating budget, and management of the MVT’s capital budget.
h. Managing legal affairs on the ground and dealing with local authorities as required.
i. Manage the sales & marketing plan, as we recover from the Covid crisis, and engage in various new methods to boost tourism.
j. Pay particular attention to excellent customer service, ensuring complaints are resolved swiftly. An example might be to respond quickly to negative Tripadvisor ratings, and figure out how to boost the average rating.
k. Manage new revenue centres which we are currently implementing/building/planning.
l. Oversee and improve the procurement of operating supplies and equipment, third party contractors and supply of essential equipment and services. Effect cost savings where appropriate.
m. Deal with staff grievances and disciplinary issues, make redundancies, taking appropriate advice, guidance and action where necessary.
n. Oversee staff training and time utilization.
o. Responsibility for dealing with the local authorities and all legal matters for the MVT.
3. Preferences and requirements:
a. You will be an ISKCON devotee of good standing, vow to follow ISKCON’s four regulative principles, and chanting a minimum of 8 rounds daily. It is not mandatory to be initiated.
b. You will have solid management skills and extensive hands-on experience.
c. Generally working hours are considering to be 10am-6pm from Monday-Friday, with half-day on Saturday, with lunch-breaks. However, you may need to work irregular hours at times, including weekends, holidays, and nights.
d. You should ideally be already eligible to work in India (as an Indian citizen or OCI Card Holder or long term visa holder). If you are not, options can be investigated, but preference will be given to those who are eligible already.
e. You must possess excellent computer skills and be comfortable learning about new technologies required in the role.
f. You will ideally have dealt with people from all over the world in your past working life.
g. Your spoken English must be completely fluent. Ideally, you will also speak and understand fluent Hindi. Your written English of particular importance, as there will be extensive typing in English required in this role.
h. You will preferably be educated to undergraduate degree level.
i. You must be willing to travel to Mayapur, Delhi and other locations for meetings.
4. Benefits
a. Base salary commensurate with experience (which will be competitive by local standards).
b. Quarterly performance bonus, at the discretion of the Trustees and based on business and revenue milestones.
c. Rented apartment is provided – normally a rented a 2-bedroom flat inside MVT. If you do not require a rented apartment, you can receive additional salary in lieu of the apartment.
d. Free meals at MVT Restaurant during operating hours.
5. To Apply
a. This is an urgent requirement and if appointed, you should be able to start immediately – but at the latest by 15th August 2020. There will be a 2 week transition handover period from your predecessor.
b. Please apply by email by 7th August 2020 with short CV and very brief covering note saying why you feel you are suitable for this position to: trust-manager@mvtrust.org