Assistant Director of Housekeeping

Relais & Châteaux•Westerly, RI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Housekeeping serves as a key leader within the Housekeeping department across three luxury properties: The Ocean House (a Forbes 5-Star property), The Weekapaug Inn, and The Watch Hill Inn. This role is responsible for supervising the entire housekeeping department, including room cleaning, public space cleaning, laundry services, deep cleaning, renovation, FF&E maintenance and replacement, and handling guest requests. The Assistant Director will oversee daily operations of public areas such as staircases, hallways, restaurants, bars, lobby, banquet areas, and public bathrooms. Additionally, this position manages the property's laundry and uniform services, supervises staff, and oversees outside vendors, including dry cleaning services.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of housekeeping operations, cleaning techniques, and industry standards.
Excellent leadership and team management skills to motivate and supervise staff.
Ability to train, mentor, and evaluate employees for optimal performance.
Strong attention to detail to ensure cleanliness and quality standards are met.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills for working with staff and guests.
Proficiency in inventory management and supply ordering.
Knowledge of health, safety, and sanitation regulations in a hotel environment.
Ability to handle guest requests and resolve complaints professionally.
Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks efficiently.
Experience with budgeting, cost control, and expense tracking.
Proficiency in using housekeeping management software and hotel systems.
Flexibility to work varying shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Maintain confidentiality of guest/employee information and pertinent hotel data.
Uphold the Company standards, policies, and procedures.
Prioritize and organize tasks and work area.
Ability to remain calm and resolve problems using good judgment as interpreted by the management.
Follow directions.
Work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team.
College degree or equivalent work experience.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills in English and the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse operation.

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate in Spanish.
2-year previous housekeeping management experience in a Forbes five-star hotel.
2-year previous luxury hotel operations experience that can be demonstrated to be applicable to the duties listed in the job description.

Responsibilities

Supervise the entire housekeeping department in the absence of the Director of Housekeeping.
Supervise daily operations of public areas, including staircases, hallways, restaurants, bars, lobby, banquet areas, and public bathrooms.
Oversee laundry and uniform services on property.
Manage staff and outside vendors supplying services, such as dry cleaning.
Motivate, train, supervise, and evaluate all housekeeping and laundry colleagues.
Conduct pre-shift meetings with managers and team members.
Assist in daily manager meetings.
Plan daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly assignments and projects for Room Attendants, Guest Floor Attendants, Public Area, Uniform / Laundry Attendants and Office Coordinators.
Perform administrative duties such as departmental scheduling, payroll, inventories of linen and guest supplies, departmental training, special projects, purchase requests, and monthly consumption reports.
Implement control on department labor costs, minimizing costs while ensuring adequate staffing for five-star service.
Manage vendors and contractors.
Prepare and conduct housekeeping interviews and follow company hiring procedures.
Maintain an ongoing Safe & Sound program.
Spearhead Forbes and hotel audits.
Successfully manage daily rooms turn.
Assume the responsibilities of the Director of Housekeeping during his/her absence.
Maintain compliance with all company IT and safety procedures.
Perform daily inspection of all public areas, guestrooms, exterior of building, and back house areas to ensure the highest standards are met.
Monitor progress, ensure completion of deep cleaning program, and assign tasks to the team.
Respond to guest questions and provide assistance, direction, and information as requested.
Conduct daily communication meetings.
Ensure guest and colleague privacy and security by correctly following company procedures.
Maintain strong interdepartmental relationships.
Perform a variety of other duties as assigned.