Housekeeping Manager

A housekeeping manager, or housekeeper, has overall responsibility for cleaning rooms, laundering bed linen and maintaining furnishings and other equipment in hotels, residential homes, hospitals and student accommodation.

The Work

You could be:

• supervising room attendants, cleaners and linen staff, checking that they clean the rooms to a high standard


• checking if anything is broken or missing, and replacing supplies, such as toiletries


• drawing up a shift rota for staff


• hiring and training new employees


• ordering cleaning equipment and linen


• arranging repairs and routine maintenance work


• managing budgets and controlling costs


• making sure staff are aware of health and safety issues


• helping room attendants clean rooms.

Conditions

• You work shifts, including early mornings, nights and weekends.


• You might live in.


• Conditions can sometimes be dusty and messy.


• You might have to lift heavy equipment and furniture.


• You are constantly on your feet.


• You might have to go up and down stairs.

Getting In

You can enter housekeeping management in several ways.

• A good general education is useful.


• As an experienced supervisor, room attendant, laundry assistant or cleaner you can apply for promotion.


• Taking a qualification such as the Institute of Hospitality Certificate can help.


• You can enter with a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree in hospitality management or operations. Entry requirements for a degree course are usually 3-4 Highers and for an HND 1-2 Highers.


• You should be reasonably fit and not allergic to dust.

What Does It Take?

You need:

• leadership qualities - assertiveness


• the ability to motivate staff


• good organising skills


• an eye for detail


• a flexible, hands-on attitude


• the ability to delegate work


• skills to train new staff


• a head for business


• the ability to remain calm under pressure


• the ability to solve problems quickly


• a knowledge of health and safety legislation.

Training

• Most training is practical, on the job. You learn how to handle chemicals and how to lift heavy objects.


• You can work towards Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) Level 2 Housekeeping and Level 3 Hospitality Supervision.

Getting On

• There are more jobs for assistant housekeeping managers than for housekeeping managers, so there is a lot of competition for senior posts.


• You might develop your career by moving into front-of house management, facilities management or hotel management.


• If you have some capital you could open your own hotel.


• You could become a trainer.


• Chances are better if you are willing to move around to different locations.


• There are some openings abroad.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.