General Manager - Les Bateaux Belmond

The Role

Les Bateaux Belmond is seeking a General Manager to lead our team in delivering an exceptional customer experience while championing our employee value proposition through effective recruitment, training, and management. The ideal candidate will ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of our ships, proactively planning capital expenditures and refurbishments. In collaboration with the division, the General Manager will develop and achieve experiential and financial objectives, as well as spearhead the development and execution of our corporate social responsibility goals.

Les Bateaux Belmond offers unique and tranquil cruises into the heart of rural France, encompassing Burgundy, Provence, Champagne, Camargue, Canal du Midi, and Bordeaux. Each of the seven lavishly appointed boats accommodates between 4 and 12 passengers and provides a high standard of service, with a generous crew-to-guest ratio. Itineraries typically last six nights, commencing on Sundays, and are fully inclusive, though durations can be adjusted for private hires. Guests enjoy exclusive access to local attractions via bus or bicycles, allowing for independent exploration of the region. As the most luxurious fleet on the French waterways, each boat is individually designed and lavishly equipped

About Belmond

Belmond is part of the world’s leading luxury group, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

Belmond has been a pioneer of exceptional luxury travel since 1976. Its portfolio extends across 24 countries with 46 remarkable properties that include the illustrious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, remote beach retreats like Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Italian hideaways such as Splendido in Portofino, and gateways to natural wonders such as Hotel das Cataratas beside Brazil’s Iguassu Falls. From trains to river barges, safari lodges to hotels, each unique property has a distinctive story, personality and identity, with a personalised team to match.

The essence of the Belmond brand is built upon its heritage, craftsmanship and genuine, authentic service. We treasure history while looking to the future. We embrace community spirit and believe in responsible, sustainable tourism. As part of our Think Global, Act Local approach, we prioritise purchasing food from sustainable sources, run and support educational programmes and follow sustainable practices to reduce our impact on the environment.

Belmond and you

When you join Belmond, you become part of a global family. We ask you to embrace our core values, follow our directives and reflect the ethos of our group. In return, we ensure our employees enjoy just as many memorable moments as our guests. Benefits include the Discovering Belmond programme, which offers team members complimentary accommodation at Belmond hotels, discounted rates for our trains, cruises and safaris, and discounted food and beverages. More importantly, we support you in your career. We make a point of investing in your development and wellbeing to help you reach your full potential.

• Experience: Strong background in events and/or private dining is highly preferred. Experience managing departments handling multiple simultaneous events across single or multiple sites is ideal
• Personal Attributes: Must be proactive, energetic, and thrive in challenging environments; someone who embraces problem-solving.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills are essential, particularly via digital platforms. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and empathetically in written form is crucial.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills with a focus on logistics and attention to detail.
• Creativity: Possess creativity and the ability to foster a creative environment within the team, encouraging participation and idea generation.
• Issue Management: Proven ability to manage unexpected challenges (technical issues, last-minute requests, etc.) calmly, clearly, and purposefully.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to lead with a "strong but fair" approach, demonstrating care while providing constructive feedback. Must have the ability to lead a team with varying levels of experience, providing clear direction and fostering a positive work environment.