Joseph Ndunda

I have more than 

25 years of experience in mid and senior management level positions within the hospitality industry, providing leadership and direction in 4&5 star hotels within departments including food and beverage, dining, events and floor operations. My qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, a Higher Diploma in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality and a Diploma in the same. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Hospitality Management. 

I have a success track record of planning, directing, and coordinating the operations of activities in various hospitality departments to ensure high quality output and streamlined operations. In my current position as a Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels, my roles include creating, planning, implementing and integrating the strategic direction for ensuring customer satisfaction and retention, quality dining and high revenue generation. I am heading three facilities with a capacity of 258 guest rooms.

I want to bring in my expertise of maintaining awareness of both the external and the internal competitive landscape, looking for opportunities for expansion, and ensuring that new industry developments and standards are incorporated or maintained. Through my experience, I have become adept in overseeing a full range of operational responsibilities including administration, budgeting, and quality management to ensure outstanding departmental performance. My additional success in managing and mentoring teams positions me to make a significant contribution to the organisation include training, coaching, mentoring, developing, evaluating, and directing staff to achieve top performance levels and drive progressive career development and promotions.

On a personal level, I am a dedicated professional who always aims to achieve all organisational and departmental goals through team work, leadership skills, research, consultancy, relationship management, problem solving and effective communication skills that I possess. I am also good with different computer programs. 

Cluster General Manager

Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels, Kenya,  - February 2021 to Date 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Managing three facilities with a total of 257 guest rooms
• Managing daily operations of Mombasa Beach Hotel as General Manager with 152 guest rooms
• Advise the Board on operation matters
• Implementing the company strategic plan
• In-charge of budgeting and management of all departments and units
• Preparing reports for the board of directors.
• Supervising all hotel operations
• Developing new SOPs and their implementation and setting new standards 
• Chairing all management meetings, Strategic Plan meetings, and operation meetings 

General Manager

Hillpark Hotel, Nairobi, November 2019 to Date (3 Star). (64 rooms, 16 Duplexes, 32 Apartments)

Duties and Responsibilities 

• In-charge of budgeting and management of all departments.
• Preparing reports for the board of directors.
• Supervising all hotel operations
• Developing new SOPs and their implementation and setting new standards 
• Chairing all management meetings, Strategic Plan meetings, and operation meetings 

General Manager

Merica Hotel, Nakuru, May 2018 – September 2019 (4 Star).  (93 Rooms, 72 Apartments)

Duties and Responsibilities

• In-charge of budgeting and management of all departments.
• Preparing reports for Group CEO and the board of directors.
• Supervising all hotel operations
• Developing new SOPs and their implementation 
• Chairing all management meetings and operation meetings 

General Manager

Mbale Resort Hotel, Uganda, April 2017 - April 2018 (5 Star). (93 Rooms, 1 Presidential Suite)

Duties and Responsibilities

• In charge of budgeting and management of all departments.
• Preparing reports for the board of directors.
• Supervising all hotel operations
• Developing new SOPs and their implementation (Already done for operation departments)
• Chairing all management meetings and operation meetings 
• Supervising all Hotel operations 

Acting General Manager / Operations Manager

Severin Sea Lodge (Severin Hotels), Mombasa Kenya (4 Star) March 2015 – March 2017. (188 rooms)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Acted as a General Manager for 2 years managing the overall running and management of the hotel.
• In charge staff SOP training.
• Selling and marketing the hotel products.
• Running of all hotel operations and handling guests complaints
• Chairman of the Hotel Classification committee.
• Chairing morning meetings and briefings in the absence of the General Manager.
• Meeting clients and negotiating for events and functions rates.
• In charge of all events’ planning.
• Organizing and preparing all beverage cards and food menus.
• Directly in charge of Housekeeping, Kitchen and F&B Service.
• Played the roles of Executive Chef, Executive Housekeeper, F&B Manager and Banqueting Manager
• Prepare daily menus together with the Chef.

Food & Beverage Manager (On Management Exchange Program)

Sunderland Hotel (Severin Hotels), Saurland (4 Star).  August 2013 - November 2013 (55 Rooms)

Duties and Responsibilities

• In charge of the entire F&B department
• Worked in all departments (Housekeeping & Laundry Supervisor, Front Office Manager, Sales & Marketing and Food preparation and service)
• Training the F&B staff on service techniques and customer care.

Food & Beverage Manager / Lodge Manager Reliever 

Severin Sea Lodge (Severin Hotels), Mombasa Kenya (4 Star). February 2010-March 2015

Duties and Responsibilities

• A member of the hotel Executive committee.
• In charge staff SOP training in the hotel.
• Selling and marketing the hotel products.
• Supervising all F&B operations.
• Handling guests’ complaints
• Meeting clients and negotiating for events and functions rates.
• In charge of all events’ planning in the hotel.
• Organizing and preparing all beverage cards and food menus.
• In charge of the Kitchen and F&B Service.
• Relieving the Lodge manager during his off days or leave.

Education & Professional Qualification

• Master of Science in Hospitality Management, Kenyatta University, 2018 - Ongoing
• Doing Thesis
• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (First Class Honors), Gretsa University, 2015 - 2016               
• Higher Diploma In Travel, Tourism & Hospitality, Association Of Business Executives (ABE), UK, 2014 - 2016
• Diploma In Travel Tourism & Hospitality Association Of Business Executives (ABE), UK, 2010  - 2013
• Food & Beverage Service and Sales (Credit), Kenya Utalii College
• Diploma In Hotel Operations and Management (Pass), Cambridge Tutorial College (UK), 1994 - 1995

Associations/ Memberships /  Recognitions

• Have both local and international experience in the Hospitality Industry.
• Trained employees for Kenya National Tourism Competition who emerged among the top.
• Have been an External Examiner for Kenya Utalii College.
• Prepared SOP manuals for Irufushi Beach Resort (5-star) (Maldives Island) and Severin Sea Lodge (4-star), Mombasa Kenya, Mbale Resort Hotel (5 star), Uganda, and Merica Hotel.
• Prepared HACCP manual for Severin Sea Lodge, and Mbale Resort Hotel (Uganda). Hold Auditor certificate in HACCP.
• Member of Association of Hotel Profesionals Kenya (AHPK)
• Maitre D’Hotel member of Chaine Des Rotisseurs.
• Associate Member of Association of Business Executives (UK).
• Member of Kenya Utalii College Alumni/ Gretsa University Alumni and Kenyatta University Alumni. 
• Wide knowledge and experience in Events’ planning and organization.
• Experience in steering culture and change management.
• Chief Judge in Uganda Hotels and Restaurants National Competitions held at Hotel Africana, Kampala

Awards/ Achievements

• 1st Class Honors and best student in Hospitality Management School in Gretsa University 2016 (Kenya).
• Best student in Information Technology In Travel, Tourism & Hospitality - ABE Level 5 June 2013 Exams.
• Train the Trainer certificate.
• HACCP Auditors certificate of attendance. One week’s conference.
• Associate Member of Association Of Business Executives (AMABE). London, UK.
• Chief Judge during Uganda Hotels & Restaurants 2017 and 2018 Competitions
• Trained waiters who emerged among the top 5 in Kenya National Tourism Competition (2012 and 2019) 
• Pre-Opening Team Member for Irufushi Beach Resort in Maldives Islands.

Research Work

• Dining Service (Dineserv) quality on guest loyalty in Hotels. A case study of Severin Sea Lodge, Kenya, 1995 – 1996 (Under graduate)
• Customer Orientation for Hotel Managers towards subordinate employees Job Commitment (Masters Thesis - ongoing)