Blachford Lake Lodge is an upscale Northern fly-in wilderness resort, located 100km east of Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories. In the heart of the Canadian wilderness, the lodge is comprised of 5 lodge rooms and 5 guest cabins. While at the lodge, guests can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities as well as the best Northern Lights viewing in the world. Winter guest activities include, but are not limited to cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking, skating, ice fishing, hockey, handicrafts, wildlife tracks, aurora viewing and other winter activities. In the summer guest activities include, but are not limited to fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, shore lunches, fall aurora viewing, and hiking.  

As the General Lodge Manager, it is your job to make sure that every guest has an incredible and memorable stay at Blachford Lake Lodge. You are responsible for meeting the needs of every guest and group that arrives at the lodge, from meet and greet on the lake, to fond farewells at the same site when they leave. You are responsible for overseeing and organizing, as well as assisting and directing of all of the lodge operations, including but not limited to Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Site Grooming, Office Administration, Capital Projects, Guest Activities and Staff Management.  

It is your attention to details and commitment to first-class service and hospitality that will provide all guests with a superior Blachford Lake Lodge experience. You are passionate about Canada’s North, backcountry wilderness, eco-friendly and sustainable living practices, and you enjoy sharing experiences with guests. You make each guest feel welcome and strive to make them each feel special, comfortable, relaxed, safe, taken care of, and right at home. You recognize that each guest is an individual and has unique needs, values, and behavior styles. It is your mission to understand and learn about each guest on the site so that you can find ways to add value to their individual experience at Blachford Lake Lodge. You recognize that some guests may appear “high maintenance,” but you see these people as an opportunity for you to practice your patience and understanding so that you can contribute positively to their vacation.  

You are a true people person, yet thrive on the challenge of living in a remote, off grid location for long periods of time. You are adventurous and love the outdoors. You are an independent self-starter, a hard-worker and team player. You have an eye for detail and take the initiative to do whatever needs to be done to ensure that each guest has an incredible experience at Blachford Lake Lodge.  

Hospitality (in close partnership with the Guest Services & Housekeeping Coordinator): 

• Demonstrate high levels of energy and enthusiasm at all times  

• Make sure every aspect of the guest’s experience is incredible and memorable 

• Understand that each guest, and group has come to Blachford Lake Lodge for a different purpose. Ensure that you do your best to be prepared for these specifics and do your utmost to deliver on guest needs and wishes.  

• Provide friendly, personal and efficient service that exceeds expectations  

• Welcome each guest or group to the lodge and give a full lodge orientation tour upon arrival (explain sustainable initiatives, bush safety, camp tour, activity schedule, water usage, lodge systems, library, equipment details, etc.)  

• Take guest registration and payments efficiently  
• Sell additional tours to guests (seasonal) 
• Keep the Blachford “Shop” stocked and with small sundry items for sale, and Blachford Lake Lodge merchandise 

• Ensure that the lodge is clean, warm, and inviting before the arrival of all guests (fire lit, hot and cold drinks available, hot food and snack available, smells clean, etc.)  
• Be awake each morning before any guests, ready to welcome them each to breakfast daily  
• Make sure that there is a minimum of two staff on night shift (through daybreak), with knowledge and presentation skills of aurora photography during aurora seasons 
• Ensure that each guest receives and aurora photography information session during aurora season  
• Make sure that all guests are aware of the guest book, and are encouraged to sign  
• Guide individuals or groups of up to 40 (coordinate activities) daily for guests, or schedule the proper guides for each activity 
• Ensure that guests are well taken care of, and confident in their friendly, patient guide that is willing to change their activity plan to cater to guest needs along the way 
• Instruct handicraft workshops and order materials along with the office staff to ensure that guests have plenty of activity options 

Housekeeping (in close partnership with the Guest Services & Housekeeping Coordinator): 

• Ensure that all lodge rooms, cabins, public trails and areas, are well groomed and properly cleaned at all times. It is especially important that in the winter/spring seasons that all trails are properly salted multiple times daily, if necessary  

• Keep the interior of the lodge, cabins, and public areas (indoor/outdoor), well-maintained as per the duties outlined on the housekeeping checklist  
• Make notes of décor in cabins and lodge rooms that may need to be replaced (are outdated, etc.), and communicate to the office for replacements  

Food and Beverage: 

• Work with the Head Chef for daily timing of all meals 
• Work with the Head Chef to cater special events, develop special menus, and cater to dietary request  
• Plan, prepare and clean up after all meals with staff support; other staff will assist but overseeing everything is done well is your responsibility  
• Work with the office team for chef scheduling 

• Schedule days off for chef team 
• Operate (staff, stock, clean, regulate, etc.) a licensed bar to international hospitality standards 

General Maintenance and Tasks: 

• Keep track of all lodge supplies (candles, dinnerware, napkins, etc.) and keep up to date supply lists  

• Perform outside maintenance as necessary in coordination with the Systems/Operations Manager 
• Advise the Systems/Operations Manager of any issues with systems, grounds, repairs that need to be addressed 
• Advise and work with the Lodge Owner on any capital upgrades and new projects 
• Trouble-shoot minor problems with all basic lodge systems (water line, generator, etc.)  
• Inspecting camp, creating and maintaining projects lists and every day schedules  

Team Work/Communication: 

• Communicate with all staff on a daily basis about upcoming guests, and groups, to schedule activities prior to guest arrival 
• Take advantage of weather to show off the beauty of the wilderness surrounding you to both staff and guests 
• Communicate daily with the office staff for all guest and group needs 
• Complete daily meetings with staff 

• Ensure all staff has Blachford Lake Lodge clothing (2 shirts) for their time at the lodge, and are well-groomed and professional when on staff. Ensure all staff have proper safety and orientation training.  
• Resolve team conflict respectfully and effectively  
• Connect daily with the office for post-guest evaluations  

• Connect with office for any needs of guests upon return to Yellowknife 

Administration: 

• Direct paid staff at the lodge for scheduling, decision making, etc. (Chef, Assistant Manager, Systems Manager, etc.) 
• Direct volunteers (4-12 people) for scheduling, tasks, etc.  

• Schedule time off for all paid staff and volunteers 
• Ensure that the lodge is properly staffed all the time and proper training is carried out  
• Communicate any incidents clearly with detail for office staff 
• Ensure all waiver forms for staff are properly filled out 
• Ensure all photography release forms are properly filled out 

• Mail communication on each plane to/from office in Yellowknife  
• Tracking and administration of capital projects, wish lists, small upgrades, supply lists, chef orders, supply orders, etc. 

Commitment to the Environment: 

• Reflect at all times a commitment to environmental sustainability 

• Work to educate guests and staff on environmental practices at the lodge 
• Reviewing all systems regularly and operating within their confines (solar, power, water, composting, grey water, slop, etc.)  

Risk Management: 

• Reflect at all times a commitment to risk management and safety  
• Report any unsafe conditions to the Systems/Operations Manager and follow up to ensure that they are taken care of 

• Respect all machinery and equipment, report damage and maintenance issues immediately  
• Demonstrate good skill and safe practice when operating all company equipment 
• Oversee first aid, safety regimes, guest and staff actions being safe and responsible 
• Maintenance of all trails and routes for summer and winter 

• Inspect all building in camp for care, maintenance and upkeep  
• Track NWT fire map during fire season, take all steps to keep camp safe 
• Ensure all emergency plans are up to date 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Wilderness first aid or higher 
• Food Safe Certificate 

• Liquor Serving Certificate 
• Driver’s License (Class 5) 
• Boat/Pleasure Craft License 
• Chainsaw Operators License 
• PAL/Firearms License  

• Fall Protection Hazards Certificate 
• Ice Safety and Rescue Certificate 
• WHIMIS and MSDS Hazardous Waste Certificates 
• Post-Secondary Tourism Management, or Resort/Hotel Management considered an asset  
• Criminal Record Check  

• Previous experience working at a remote wilderness lodge considered an asset 
• Previous experience working/living in circum-polar location considered an asset 
• Previous guiding experience considered an asset  
• Ability to lift 30 lbs  
• Ability to stand for long periods of time 
• COVID 19 Vaccinations required