Housekeeping Manager

Since 1978 The Inn at Little Washington, located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, has been one of the most decorated restaurants and hotels in the world. There is no better time to join in out growing team of exceptional people. On-the-job training, advancement potential, flexible schedules, amazing benefits, and competitive pay. Your next career awaits.

Some of our awards include Michelin 3 Stars, Forbes 5 Stars, AAA 5 Diamonds, and Wine Spectator Grand Award. Member of Relais & Chateaux.

Why join our team:

We offer:

• Health, vision and dental insurance (full time employees)
• Paid time off (Full time employees)
• 401(k) retirement plan with match
• On-the-job training
• Employee education allowance
• Advancement potential
• Flexible schedules
• Employee appreciation events
• Complimentary uniforms
• Delicious "family" meals daily prepared by the chefs
• Referral bonuses
• Competitive pay

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housekeeping Manager 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 Housekeeping Manager 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 Assistant General Manager, this role ensures that every guest room, public space, and building common area reflects the immaculate standards expected of a world-class luxury property.

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 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

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.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Inn at Little Washington is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

At-Will Employment

This job description does not constitute an employment contract, express or implied, and does not guarantee employment for any specific duration. Employment at The Inn at Little Washington is at-will, meaning either the team member or The Inn may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, to the extent permitted by law.

**The Inn at Little Washington is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws**