Head Housekeeper

About Us

Lime FMS is a leading provider of outsourced housekeeping services to hotels across the UK. We work in close partnership with our hotel clients to deliver consistently high standards of cleanliness, presentation and guest satisfaction.

Working within a busy hotel in Washington, we are looking for an experienced and motivated Head Housekeeper to lead the housekeeping operation, inspire the team and ensure guest rooms and public areas are maintained to the highest possible standards.

Come and Join Us as a Head Housekeeper

As Head Housekeeper, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the housekeeping department within a busy hotel environment. You will lead and support the housekeeping team to ensure rooms are cleaned, inspected and released in line with hotel occupancy, guest arrival times and operational requirements.

You will play a key role in maintaining excellent cleanliness standards, driving productivity, managing staffing levels and ensuring effective communication between housekeeping, reception, maintenance and hotel management.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can confidently manage competing priorities and takes pride in delivering an exceptional guest experience.

A Little More Detail About the Role

• Lead, motivate and manage the housekeeping team to deliver excellent standards of cleanliness, presentation and service throughout the hotel.
• Oversee daily housekeeping operations, allocating room lists and duties according to occupancy levels, departures, stayovers and expected arrivals.
• Carry out regular floor walks, room inspections and quality checks, ensuring rooms are clean, well presented and ready for guest arrival.
• Monitor room turnaround times and work closely with Reception and Front Office to prioritise early arrivals, VIP guests and rooms required urgently.
• Maintain clear and effective communication with the Hotel Management team, Reception, Maintenance and other departments to ensure the smooth running of daily operations.
• Manage staffing levels, attendance, rotas and daily deployment to ensure the department is appropriately resourced during busy periods.
• Support recruitment, induction, training and ongoing development of housekeeping colleagues, ensuring all team members understand their responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Coach and support team members to improve productivity, quality and consistency, addressing performance concerns professionally and fairly.
• Monitor housekeeping productivity, room credits, labour costs and departmental targets, taking appropriate action to improve efficiency and control operating costs.
• Ensure linen, cleaning materials, guest supplies and equipment are managed effectively, with stock levels monitored to avoid shortages and unnecessary waste.
• Ensure all housekeeping equipment is maintained correctly and that faults, maintenance issues and damaged items are reported promptly.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety, hygiene and security, ensuring all company procedures, hotel requirements and relevant legislation are followed.
• Ensure lost property is handled and recorded in line with company and hotel procedures, and that guest belongings and confidential information are treated with care.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest feedback and housekeeping-related complaints, working with hotel management to resolve issues and protect guest satisfaction.
• Review daily performance, identify areas for improvement and communicate operational updates and challenges to the Operations Manager.
• Maintain a professional, visible and approachable presence on the floors, leading by example and supporting the team during periods of high occupancy.

Experience, Skills and Attitudes You Bring to the Role

• Previous experience as a Head Housekeeper, Deputy Head Housekeeper, Assistant Housekeeping Manager or in a similar supervisory role within a busy hotel.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing a housekeeping team in a fast-paced operational environment.
• A strong understanding of hotel housekeeping procedures, room inspections, cleaning standards and room turnaround requirements.
• The ability to organise workloads effectively and adapt quickly to changing occupancy levels, late check-outs, early arrivals and unexpected operational pressures.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and make confident decisions under pressure.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with hotel management and other departments.
• Experience managing rotas, attendance, productivity, stock control and departmental costs.
• The ability to identify performance issues, provide constructive feedback and support colleagues to achieve the required standards.
• A good understanding of workplace health and safety, COSHH requirements, safe working practices and hotel security procedures.
• Basic IT and administrative skills, including maintaining records, completing reports and using relevant hotel or housekeeping systems.
• A proactive, flexible and practical approach, with a willingness to be hands-on and support the team when required.
• A positive attitude, high standards of personal presentation and a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction.
• The ability to remain calm, professional and solution-focused during busy periods.

Rewards and Benefits of Joining Lime FMS

At Lime FMS, we recognise the importance of supporting our colleagues both at work and outside of it. Our benefits include:

• Company Wellbeing Support Hub: Access to wellbeing resources, advice and support from our internal team.
• Private Medical Insurance: Cover for pre-existing medical conditions, subject to the applicable scheme terms.
• Early Access to Pay: The option to access up to 50% of earned wages before payday, alongside financial wellbeing tools and retail discounts.
• Confidential Mental Health Support: Access to independent mental health and wellbeing support through a specialist partner's app.
• Health and Life Support: Access to specialist resources covering health, menopause, pregnancy and pregnancy loss.
• Life Insurance: After 12 months' service, cover equivalent to one year's wages, subject to scheme terms.
• Hotel Discounts: Access to special accommodation rates and offers at participating hotels.
• Recognition and Rewards: Opportunities to be recognised through our annual employee awards.
• Workplace Pension: Access to our workplace pension scheme, subject to scheme terms.
• Training and Career Development: On-the-job coaching, online learning and opportunities to develop your skills and progress within the business.
• Workplace Adjustments: Consideration of suitable adjustments to help colleagues thrive at work.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Lime FMS is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a fair, inclusive and supportive working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds and do not tolerate discrimination on any protected ground.

We believe a diverse workforce strengthens our business and helps us deliver the best possible service to our clients and their guests.

Working Hours

This is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week across 5 days, with flexibility required to meet the operational needs of a busy hotel.

If you are an experienced housekeeping professional who enjoys leading a team, maintaining high standards and ensuring the smooth running of a busy hotel, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step in your housekeeping management career with Lime FMS!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £33,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Experience:

• Head housekeeping: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person