Executive Housekeeper - Highgate Hotels : Job Details

The Executive Housekeeper is responsible for ensuring the operation of the Housekeeping Department in an attentive, friendly, efficient and courteous manner, providing all guests with quality service and a clean and safe environment throughout their stay, while efficiently managing expenses and maximizing service levels.

• Motivate, coach, counsel and discipline all Housekeeping personnel according to Highgate Hotel SOP's.
• Ensure compliance to Standard of the Week training, using the steps to effective training according to Highgate Hotel standards.
• Establish and maintain a regularly scheduled cleaning program (i.e. floor care, hard cleaning, mattress flipping, etc.) and maintain a detailed checklist for each position.
• Maintain and control all housekeeping equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all corporate Risk Management standards (MSDS, HazComm, etc.).
• Conduct monthly guest supplies and cleaning supplies inventories.
• Ensure that large guestroom turns are managed efficiently.
• Ensure consistency with departmental opening and closing procedures.
• Manage vendor contracts (i.e. dry cleaners, window washers, etc.).
• Prepare and conduct all Housekeeping interviews and follow hiring procedures according to Highgate Hotel International SOP's.
• Develop employee morale and ensure training of Housekeeping personnel.
• Inspect rooms daily, and ensure that some rooms are inspected with supervisors on a daily basis.
• Inspect all VIP rooms prior to arrival.
• Ensure that public areas, guest rooms and back-of-house areas are cleaned to Highgate Hotel standards.
• Maintain required pars of all Housekeeping and Laundry supplies by ordering all needed supplies and amenities on a monthly or quarterly basis.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly Housekeeping inventories on a timely basis.
• Ensure guest privacy and security by correctly following Highgate Hotel procedures.
• Monitor work orders and submit to Engineering according to hotel procedures. Follow up on work orders to ensure completion.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings for room attendants and housemen.
• Balance and clear room status nightly; compare the p.m. housekeeping report with the PMS room status report and resolve any discrepancies.
• Review Housekeeping staff's worked hours for payroll compilation and submit to Accounting on a timely basis.
• Prepare employee schedule according to business forecast, payroll budget guidelines and productivity requirements.
• Maintain Highgate Hotel SOP's regarding Purchase Orders, vouchering of invoices and checkbook accounting.
• Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers, employees and other departments.
• Ensure implementation of all Highgate Hotel policies and house rules. Understand hospitality terms.
• Ensure sign off of all Service Standards by Position competencies for Housekeeping staff.
• Carry a pager at all times. Operate pagers and radios efficiently and professionally in communicating with hotel staff. Ensure the proper use of radio etiquette within the department.
• Manage and organize large turn days (including group check-ins or check-outs).
• Monitor out-of-order, out-of-service, discrepant and show rooms.
• Must maintain constant communication with Guest Services.
• Monitor and act on special requests as needed; VIPs, special needs rooms, connecting, etc.
• Maintain and monitor Lost and Found procedures and policies according to Highgate Hotel standards.
• Establish and maintain key control system.
• Ensure participation within department for monthly Highgate Hotel team meeting.
• Focus the Housekeeping Department on their role in contributing to Medallia Scores.
• Monitor all V.I.P.'s, special guests and requests.
• Review Housekeeping log book and Guest Request log on a daily basis.

• At least 3 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 4-year college degree and at least 1 year of related experience; or a 2-year college degree and 2 or more years of related experience.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Must be proficient with MS Word and MS Excel.
• Long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.