Head Chef & Front-of-House Manager (Management Couple Preferred | Individual Applications Welcome)

Mzima House | Zanzibar, Tanzania

About Mzima House, Zanzibar

Mzima House is a small, exclusive luxury property in Zanzibar, operating as a private three-house retreat for up to 10 guests. The property offers a highly personalised, home-away-from-home experience and is preparing for its soft opening in November 2026, with the official opening planned for December.

The Opportunity

We are looking for flexible and entrepreneurial hospitality professionals to join the management team at Mzima House. The opportunity is ideally suited to a management couple, with one partner taking the lead on culinary operations and the other on day-to-day hospitality and property operations. We are also open to exceptional individual candidates for either area.

This is a hands-on role in a small property where everyone is expected to contribute across departments. You will have the opportunity to help build the operation, develop the team and shape the guest experience from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

Head Chef / Culinary

• Develop and manage a seasonal full-board menu.
• Create Mediterranean, Asian and seafood-inspired dishes.
• Manage purchasing, food costs and kitchen stock.
• Recruit, train and supervise the kitchen team.
• Create personalised dining experiences.

Front-of-House / Property Management

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the property.
• Welcome, host and build relationships with guests.
• Support housekeeping, purchasing, maintenance and staff management.
• Establish service standards and operating procedures.
• Prepare weekly management reports and support budgeting and cost control.
• Identify maintenance issues and coordinate solutions where required.

Both professionals will be expected to:

• Work collaboratively and support other departments.
• Train and develop the local team.
• Be hands-on, flexible and willing to go beyond their specific responsibilities.
• Help create a warm, personalised guest experience.

Ideal Profile

• Approximately 3–5 years relevant hospitality experience.
• Experience in East African hospitality is ideal.
• Experience in boutique hotels, camps, lodges or small properties preferred.
• Strong culinary experience for the chef.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, creative and proactive.
• Warm and confident with guests.
• Flexible and comfortable working in an informal, hands-on environment.
• Comfortable living and working in a quieter island setting.

Open to all nationalities