Director of Housekeeping

La Bahia Resort and Spa•Santa Cruz, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

La Bahia Hotel seeks an enthusiastic and experienced Leader to join our Opening Team as Director of Housekeeping. This pivotal role focuses on delivering exceptional service and memorable guest experiences while building and leading a dynamic housekeeping and laundry team. Reporting to the Director of Rooms, the Director of Housekeeping will ensure the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and operational efficiency throughout the property. The Director of Housekeeping is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the housekeeping and laundry department, including staff training, inter-departmental communication, and scheduling. This role demands strong attention to detail, excellent leadership skills, and effective collaboration with department heads, team members, and guests.

Requirements

5 years or more experience as a Director of Housekeeping in a luxury hotel and/or resort setting
Knowledge of luxury housekeeping service standards (Forbes 5 Star, AAA 5 Diamond), understanding of cost control, maintenance, merchandising, and accounting
Strong leadership skills; a natural motivator
Strong problem-solving skills
Effective decision-making skills
Effective conflict management skills
Strong organizational skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
Commitment to delivering exceptional guest service.

Nice To Haves

Hotel opening experience a plus
Laundry experience a plus
Dynamic and entrepreneurial - able to lead a team to success by leading by example

Responsibilities

Develop and implement short- and long-term plans for the housekeeping and laundry department.
Manage the departmental budget, labor costs, and operational objectives within approved guidelines.
Maintain appropriate levels of housekeeping and laundry supplies.
Oversee third party night cleaning company
Manage and maintain uniform program at La Bahia Hotel & Spa
Train staff on guest service standards, including greeting guests and addressing their needs.
Establish and maintain an effective room inspection program.
Ensure adherence to all safety and security policies and procedures.
Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless guest experiences.
Conduct daily inspections of guest rooms and public areas.
Oversee procurement and management of linens and housekeeping supplies.
Stay current with housekeeping and laundry technologies.
Build strong relationships with vendors to ensure competitive pricing, timely delivery, and proper maintenance.
Train, supervise, and mentor a multilingual and multicultural housekeeping team.
Ensure compliance with OSHA and ADA standards.
Manage turndown service and special accommodations for VIP guests and dignitaries.
Maintain optimal staffing levels to achieve customer service goals.
Provide coaching and counseling to team members in line with service standards and procedures.