Assistant Executive Housekeeper

Assistant Executive Housekeeper

The Assistant Executive Housekeeper leads all daily housekeeping operations at The Inn at Little Washington, a Forbes Five-Star, Michelin Two-Star, Relais & Châteaux property. This position has full ownership of guest room quality, public area presentation, team performance, departmental budget, labor management, and supply inventory across the entire property. The Assistant Executive Housekeeper directly supervises Housekeeping Supervisors, Housekeepers, Housemen, and House Attendants, and is accountable for building a team culture rooted in attention to detail, pride of ownership, and genuine hospitality. Reporting to the Executive Housekeeper, this role ensures that every guest room, public space, and building common area reflects the immaculate standards expected of a world-class luxury property.

The successful candidate must possess the leadership capability, operational expertise, and business acumen to assume the responsibilities of the Executive Housekeeper during the Executive Housekeeper’s absence. This includes independently overseeing daily housekeeping operations, providing leadership and direction to the housekeeping team, advising senior leadership on departmental matters, managing complex staffing and operational issues, maintaining service and quality standards, and making sound decisions that support guest satisfaction, productivity, financial performance, and the overall success of the department.

Key Performance Indicators

• Guest room and public area inspection scores consistently meet or exceed Forbes Five-Star housekeeping standards

• Housekeeping labor costs remain within budgeted targets through effective scheduling, forecasting, and daily management

• Supply and linen inventory maintained at established PAR levels with zero service disruptions due to stockouts

• Staff retention and engagement within the housekeeping department meet or exceed property-wide benchmarks

Essential Responsibilities

Guest Room & Property Standards

• Inspect guest rooms, public areas, building common spaces, and back-of-house areas daily to ensure they meet Forbes Five-Star presentation and cleanliness standards

• Establish and enforce detailed cleaning protocols, checklists, and quality benchmarks for all room types and public areas

• Ensure all guest room special requests, VIP preparations, and turndown service are completed accurately and on time

• Coordinate with the Front Office on daily arrivals, departures, VIP guests, room moves, and any maintenance-related room blocks

• Communicate maintenance issues, fixture damage, and items requiring repair to the Facilities team promptly, tracking resolution through completion

• Conduct regular deep-cleaning projects and seasonal refresh initiatives to maintain the property at the highest standard

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly supervise the full housekeeping team, including Housekeeping Supervisors, Housekeepers, Housemen, and House Attendants

• Lead the hiring, interviewing, onboarding, and training of all new housekeeping team members, ensuring they are prepared to deliver Five-Star service from day one

• Build and maintain a structured, ongoing training program covering cleaning techniques, Forbes standards, safety protocols, guest interaction expectations, and property knowledge

• Conduct annual performance evaluations for all housekeeping staff and initiate recommendations for wage adjustments, promotions, and corrective actions as needed

• Provide daily coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback to develop team members and strengthen departmental performance

• Distribute daily checklists and project assignments to Housekeeping Supervisors, Housekeepers, Housemen, and House Attendants, and monitor completion throughout each shift

• Arrange and lead regular department meetings to communicate expectations, celebrate successes, address issues, and solicit feedback from the team

• Foster a team culture of accountability, pride, mutual respect, and genuine care for the guest experience

Scheduling, Labor Management & Budget

• Create and manage weekly housekeeping schedules, ensuring staffing levels align with occupancy forecasts and business demands

• Track and manage housekeeping labor costs daily and weekly, maintaining performance within the departmental labor budget

• Monitor and approve timecards in Paycom, tracking attendance patterns, overtime, and callouts

• Own the housekeeping departmental operating budget, including supply procurement, equipment purchases, and contract services

• Maintain and update the departmental checkbook, reconciling expenditures against the monthly budget provided by Accounting

• Exercise fiscal responsibility in all purchasing decisions, seeking opportunities to reduce costs without compromising quality

Inventory, Supply & Vendor Management

• Complete weekly inventory counts of all housekeeping supplies, linens, terry, amenities, and cleaning products to ensure PAR levels are maintained

• Manage the full procurement cycle: sourcing, ordering, receiving, and properly storing all housekeeping supplies and equipment

• Maintain positive, professional relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring reliable delivery

• Oversee linen inventory management, including tracking usage, loss rates, and replacement needs across all room types

• Ensure all cleaning chemicals and products are stored safely and in compliance with safety data sheet (SDS) requirements

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure all housekeeping operations comply with property safety policies, health department standards, and OSHA requirements

• Supervise and enforce all sanitation and disinfection protocols across guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house spaces

• Ensure all team members are trained on proper chemical handling, equipment operation, and workplace safety procedures

• Report and document any workplace injuries, safety hazards, or incidents immediately, following The Inn’s established protocols

• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional housekeeping office and storage areas

Guest Service & Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Greet every guest warmly and professionally, as though welcoming them into your own home

• Anticipate guest needs and respond to inquiries and requests in a timely, courteous, and discreet manner

• Maintain working knowledge of all hotel services, property features, local attractions, and the history of The Inn at Little Washington to assist guests when asked

• Work closely with the Front Office, Facilities, and Food & Beverage teams to coordinate on guest needs, special events, projects, and property-wide initiatives

• Support cross-departmental operations as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a team-first approach

Qualifications

• Required: 3+ years’ progressive housekeeping experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management capacity

• Required: Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of 10+ staff members

• Required: Strong understanding of luxury housekeeping standards, cleaning techniques, and quality inspection processes

• Required: Experience managing departmental budgets, labor costs, and supply inventories

• Required: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and timekeeping systems (Paycom or comparable)

• Required: Effective communication skills in English, both verbal and written

• Required: Ability to work weekends, holidays, and a flexible schedule based on occupancy and business needs

• Required: Must be well-groomed and well-presented with no visible tattoos

• Preferred: Prior experience at a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond, or comparable luxury property

• Preferred: Familiarity with Forbes Travel Guide housekeeping and inspection standards

• Preferred: Ability to communicate in Spanish, French, or another language in addition to English

• Preferred: Experience with property management systems (Agilysys Versa or comparable PMS)

• Preferred: OSHA or hospitality-specific safety certification

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb stairs for extended periods throughout an 8- to 10-hour shift

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds (linen carts, supply cases, cleaning equipment)

• Ability to perform hands-on housekeeping tasks as needed, including making beds, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning guest rooms

• Ability to move freely between multiple buildings across the property, including navigating stairs and outdoor walkways

• Ability to work in varying conditions including exposure to cleaning chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and outdoor weather

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Benefits & Compensation

The Inn at Little Washington offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that may include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a retirement savings plan, an employee dining program, and professional development opportunities. Specific benefits vary by position and employment status.

**The Inn at Little Washington is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity