What does the job involve?
As Head Housekeeper, much of your time will be spent supervising and training your staff. You'll be closely involved with renovations and new developments, working with architects, interior designers and other specialists.
You'll liaise with other heads of department and the general manager, and attend the regular heads of department meetings. Your staff will also meet with you, perhaps each week.
Key responsibilities
Important areas of work for the Head Housekeeper include:
- dealing with suppliers of linen, cleaning materials and guest supplies (sachets of tea and coffee, soap, shampoo, etc)
- controlling the costs of these supplies, as well as laundry, maintenance and wages
- planning staff rotas
- overseeing stocktakes, budgets and other paperwork, for example maintenance reports, room check sheets and safety audits
- the safekeeping of lost property until it can be returned to the owner
In a large hotel, you'll have supervisors to control the work of room attendants, and probably linen-room staff and someone to issue the cleaning supplies.
What skills do I need?
You'll need to have a variety of skills as Head Housekeeper including:
- Maintaining good relations with staff: particularly with reception staff so that they know when rooms are ready to re-let. It will also help you to know when rooms can be serviced, which rooms are taken by departures, arrivals or VIPs, or have special requirements such as a bedboard. Maintenance is another key department you'll work closely with, so that repairs are carried out promptly and rooms are kept in good order.
- Excellent organisation skills: to help you to juggle your management responsibilities with the more hands-on part of this job, such as dealing with suppliers.
- Attention to detail: you'll be checking that high standards of cleanliness are maintained, rooms are correctly serviced, and equipment is kept in a safe condition for guests and staff. Some cleaning materials are hazardous, and it's your responsibility to make sure staff are trained to use them safely. Health, safety (including fire safety) and security will be ongoing concerns.
What qualifications do I need?
Often, the Head Housekeeper will have worked as a housekeeper for a while to make sure they have a thorough understanding of the job. Larger employers will have training available.
Is it the right job for me?
If you have experience of working as a housekeeper and are looking to move to a more senior position, you may want to consider the role of Head Housekeeper. You'll need to have impeccable standards of cleanliness, and the ability to motivate junior members of staff to maintain these standards.