Senior Naturalist & Guest Relations Manager

Senior Naturalist cum Guest Relations Manager

Location: Waterwoods Resort and Lounge, Kabini

Department: Guest Services & Experiences

Reports To: General Manager

Experience Required: Minimum 5 years in hospitality, guest relations, or eco-tourism

Job Summary

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Naturalist cum Guest Relations to oversee guest satisfaction, guest experiences, and nature-based programming at Waterwoods Resort, Kabini. This individual will be the face of the resort for guests, ensuring personalized, informative, and memorable stays. The ideal candidate blends deep knowledge of wildlife, ecosystems with exceptional hospitality and people management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Relations and Experience Oversight

• Greet and interact with all guests, ensuring a warm and personalized arrival and departure experience.

• Maintain a consistent presence throughout the resort to build rapport with guests and gather real-time feedback.

• Address and resolve guest concerns or complaints with professionalism and empathy.

• Coordinate special requests, celebrations, or customized experiences for guests.

• Provide detailed briefings about wildlife safaris, resort facilities, local attractions, and schedules.

• Monitor guest satisfaction metrics and initiate service recovery processes if needed.

Naturalist Duties

• Conduct nature walks, wildlife briefings, and interpretative sessions about Kabini flora, fauna, and conservation.

• Collaborate with the Forest Department and Jeep Safari teams for seamless guest safari experiences.

• Create seasonal nature-based itineraries, educational content, and wildlife programming.

• Inspire guests with stories of the land, jungle, and the region’s heritage.

Team Leadership and Concierge Management

• Lead the concierge, front office support, and guest activities teams to ensure high-quality service delivery.

• Train and mentor junior naturalists and guest service team members.

• Supervise the scheduling and operational flow of guest activities and experiences.

• Maintain and share daily reports with relevant departments regarding guest feedback and service enhancements.

Standards and Compliance

• Ensure guest safety on all treks, walks, and outdoor activities through adherence to protocols.

• Maintain logs and incident reports as needed for guest interaction or emergencies.

• Uphold resort SOPs and collaborate across departments to align with brand and service standards. Take up roles in Operations management.

Candidate Profile

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Wildlife Sciences, Environmental Studies, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years in a guest-facing role, preferably in wildlife lodges, luxury resorts, or eco-tourism.

• Prior experience as a senior naturalist, guest relations manager, or concierge is desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Deep understanding of Kabini’s biodiversity, wildlife, and eco-system.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strong leadership and team mentoring capability.

• Multilingual skills preferred (English, Kannada, Hindi).

• Guest-centric, empathetic, and proactive attitude.

• Ability to handle high-pressure guest situations with calm and confidence.

Languages spoken English, Hindi and Kannada to communicate with local staff

Why Join Waterwoods?

As Kabini’s premier luxury eco-lodge, Waterwoods offers a unique opportunity to blend hospitality excellence with conservation awareness. Join a tight-knit team passionate about creating meaningful, nature-rich guest journeys. Be a part of something truly immersive and impactful.