A Head Housekeeper is required for a large private household on a large Private Rural Estate in Derbyshire. You will be joining a lovely team and be fully supported, but must have the experience to be the overall Head Housekeeper. You will be managing a team, but must also be happy to do the work required (so you will be hands on housekeeping and it is important the candidate understands this). The family would prefer this position to be live out, so best suited to someone local already living in the area.
The Head Housekeeper will be responsible for a team of 3 other housekeeping staff, and will report to the House Manager. This role does include working weekends (on a rota) so full flexibility to work weekends and understanding the requirements of a busy private household is required, along with previous private housekeeping experience in a large private household.
This candidate will be supporting the House Manager to ensure that the daily operations at the residence run smoothly.
Ensuring the highest standards and a comfortable home environment are maintained, and a seamless, positive and professional service is provided at all times for the clients, their family and guests.
Main duties and responsibilities
Housekeeping Team Management and Support
• Ensure the tasks required of the housekeeping team are performed as required, undertaking bed making, laundry and cleaning duties ensuring the highest standards of housekeeping are maintained.
• Ensure adequate supplies of cleaning materials are maintained and hazardous materials are safely stored.
• Oversee good communication and collaboration with the Housekeeping team to ensure all the items within the private households including precious objects are handled correctly and the correct cleaning methods are used appropriate to the area or item concerned, providing adequate training to colleagues.
• Ensure the in-house laundry service is adhered to including the washing of bedding, table linen, family clothing and guests’ items when required.
• Ensure the team provide a discreet and professional service for family and guests, to include the professional care of clothes and the repairing, dry cleaning and pressing of items.
• Ensure guest rooms are adequately prepared and stocked.
• Devise and undertake a deep cleaning rota for the Private Rooms. Liaising with the Operations Manager regarding any maintenance work for the Private Rooms. Reporting damage and wear and tear to the clients, and the team.
• Take responsibility for ensuring integrated pest control management system is working and attend quarterly meeting as part of environmental monitoring.
• Undertake regular one-to-ones, annual reviews and follow performance management processes to ensure the wellbeing and development of the housekeeping team is appropriately managed.
• Undertake recruitment and provide on-the-job colleague training to ensure high standards are maintained. • Working with the House Manager, roster colleagues in advance according to the guest list.
• Communicate efficiently with the team and all relevant contacts to ensure standards are maintained and events run without a hitch.
• Ensure the housekeeping team present a professional image at work at all times and adhere to the appropriate uniform guidelines.
• Ensure that at all times without exception complete confidentiality and discretion is maintained.
Other
• To work at other locations on the Estate, as requested, which includes occasional work at other locations in the UK to oversee team duties.
• Maintain a high level of security and privacy within the private household working closely with the security team. Understand and comply with all security and emergency procedures. This will include key control, safeguarding valuables and emergency evacuation.
• In liaison with the House Manager, ensure the opening and closing of rooms in the morning and evening as required by the client taking due care in relation to fire/safety hazards.
• Carry out and update risk assessments as required and ensure safe working practices and manual handling training and inductions take place.
• Be part of the Estate Team and undertaking any training necessary for the role.
Requirements:-
• Proven relevant experience as a Housekeeper in a private household or hospitality sector.
• Experience of supervising, leading or coordinating housekeeping staff and maintaining exceptional standards of performance.
• Demonstrable experience of training, coaching and developing colleagues.
• Professionalism, discretion and confidentiality at all times.
• Knowledge of the handling, cleaning and care of precious and delicate items and artwork.
• A flexible attitude to work and a proven ability to work under pressure. The post holder must be willing to work longer hours, evenings and weekends as required by the needs of the household.
• A willingness and flexibility to support ad-hoc requests within the property and for the Family.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also lead and work effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent customer service skills with a genuine passion for creating an exceptional experience.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and motivate colleagues, build effective working relationships and liaise with external contractors and suppliers.
• Excellent standards of personal presentation.
• A full and valid UK driving licence.
• Willing to obtain a clear enhanced DBS check.
This role involves intimate access to the private home and lives of the family. The need for high integrity and complete trust cannot be overstated as an essential personal attribute and personal value of the candidate. The role will have extremely busy periods when the family are entertaining, followed by quieter periods when the family are away, therefore workload and working time will vary.
It is important the candidate enjoys working in a service role, would enjoy becoming part of the team and is willing to work to the required standards.
Salary in the region of £45,000 Live out, but will depend on experience and expectations - please e mail your CV with your salary expectations and current notice period/availability to ella@sugarellacooks.co.uk