Director of Housekeeping

Be part of our Pre-Opening Team! We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Housekeeping to join the pre-opening leadership team of the first and flagship Canopy hotel in New York City . Located in the heart of the Penn District, at the corner of 34th Street and 8th Avenue , this 365-room, design-forward lifestyle hotel will feature extensive food & beverage offerings and serve as a brand showcase for Canopy in NYC, steps from Madison Square Garden and Hudson Yards. The Director of Housekeeping will lead all aspects of the hotel's Housekeeping operation, ensuring guest rooms, public spaces, and back-of-house areas consistently reflect the exceptional cleanliness, presentation, and attention to detail expected of the Canopy brand. This leader will play an integral role during pre-opening by building the Housekeeping department from the ground up, recruiting and developing the team, establishing operating procedures and productivity standards, preparing guest rooms and public areas for opening, and creating a culture of teamwork, accountability, and pride. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, highly organized, and people-focused Housekeeping leader with experience managing a high-volume hotel operation and a passion for developing teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences. This position requires flexible scheduling availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on hotel business needs. What You Will Be Doing Pre-Opening & Operational Readiness Lead all Housekeeping-related pre-opening activities and ensure the department is fully prepared for hotel opening. Partner with Human Resources to recruit, interview, select, onboard, and train Housekeeping leadership and team members. Develop and implement Housekeeping policies, procedures, checklists, inspection standards, productivity expectations, and departmental operating practices. Coordinate the cleaning, preparation, inspection, and release of all 365 guest rooms prior to opening. Ensure guest floors, public spaces, and back‑of‑house areas meet the highest cleanliness and presentation standards. Establish initial par levels and inventory controls for linens, terry, guest amenities, cleaning supplies, chemicals, uniforms, equipment, and other departmental needs. Partner with Engineering and hotel leadership to identify, document, and resolve guest room deficiencies and pre‑opening punch‑list items. Ensure the Housekeeping team is fully trained and prepared to deliver Canopy brand standards and an exceptional guest experience from day one. Housekeeping Operations Direct and oversee daily Housekeeping operations, including guest rooms, public areas, linen, uniforms, storage areas, and other assigned spaces. Lead Housekeeping managers, supervisors, room attendants, housepersons, public‑area attendants, and other departmental team members. Ensure the timely completion of daily responsibilities while maintaining exceptional standards of cleanliness and presentation. Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms, public spaces, guest floors, and back‑of‑house areas. Perform random quality inspections throughout the day to ensure established standards are consistently maintained. Address identified deficiencies promptly and follow up appropriately to prevent recurring issues. Monitor the physical condition and presentation of guest rooms and communicate maintenance needs to Engineering. Develop and maintain deep‑cleaning and preventive room‑care programs. Establish effective systems and controls for linen and laundry operations to maintain quality, appropriate par levels, and cost efficiency. Maintain cleanliness and organization of Housekeeping closets, linen rooms, storage areas, and departmental workspaces. Maintain effective lost‑and‑found procedures and ensure guest inquiries are handled promptly and professionally. Team Leadership & Development Build and maintain a high‑performing Housekeeping team centered around teamwork, accountability, respect, communication, and pride. Provide visible, hands‑on leadership throughout the hotel. Establish clear performance expectations and hold leaders and team members accountable for results. Conduct departmental meetings, daily briefings, training sessions, and individual coaching. Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for Housekeeping team members. Monitor performance and provide timely coaching, recognition, counseling, and corrective action when appropriate. Complete and oversee performance evaluations and individual development plans. Identify high‑potential team members and support succession planning and career development. Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, employee relations, performance management, recognition, and engagement. Foster an inclusive environment where team members feel supported, valued, and empowered to deliver exceptional results. Financial, Labor & Inventory Management Develop, manage, and monitor the Housekeeping departmental budget. Effectively manage labor costs through scheduling, forecasting, productivity management, and advanced planning. Align staffing levels with occupancy, arrivals, departures, groups, events, and anticipated hotel business. Set and monitor productivity standards while maintaining cleanliness and guest‑service expectations. Monitor departmental expenses and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs. Establish and maintain inventory controls for linens, cleaning supplies, chemicals, guest amenities, uniforms, equipment, and other departmental items. Conduct and oversee regular departmental inventories and maintain appropriate par levels. Monitor linen loss, amenity usage, chemical consumption, and other departmental expenses. Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors and third‑party partners. Ensure purchases follow established procurement and financial‑control procedures. Participate in annual operating and capital budget planning and identify future equipment and capital needs. Guest Experience & Quality Ensure Housekeeping consistently delivers exceptional cleanliness and presentation throughout the hotel. Monitor guest satisfaction scores, surveys, reviews, and other feedback related to room cleanliness and Housekeeping. Develop and implement action plans to maintain and improve guest satisfaction results. Respond promptly and professionally to Housekeeping‑related guest concerns. Partner with Front Office and hotel leadership to resolve guest concerns and support effective service recovery. Ensure VIP rooms, special occasions, and priority accommodations receive appropriate inspection and attention. Communicate guest feedback and quality results to the Housekeeping team. Recognize and celebrate team achievements and exceptional performance. Continuously identify opportunities to enhance the overall guest experience and the hotel's presentation. Safety, Compliance & Brand Standards Ensure Housekeeping operations comply with applicable federal, New York State, New York City, OSHA, company, and brand requirements. Ensure team members are properly trained to safely handle and use cleaning chemicals, equipment, and personal protective equipment. Maintain required safety documentation, departmental records, and applicable Safety Data Sheets. Ensure appropriate procedures are followed regarding workplace injuries, accidents, hazards, and safety concerns. Maintain awareness of hotel emergency procedures and ensure Housekeeping team members receive appropriate training. Ensure departmental readiness for company and Canopy/Hilton brand inspections, audits, and quality assurance reviews. Support the hotel's sustainability and environmentally responsible operating initiatives. Hotel Leadership & Collaboration Partner closely with Front Office to manage room status, arrivals, departures, room discrepancies, VIPs, and special requests. Maintain a strong partnership with Engineering to address guest room repairs, preventive maintenance needs, out‑of‑order rooms, and ongoing room‑care programs. Collaborate with Sales and Events regarding groups, VIP accommodations, special programs, and high‑occupancy periods. Work closely with Human Resources, Food & Beverage, Security, and other departments to support seamless hotel operations. Participate in daily Operations meetings and hotel leadership meetings as required. Maintain a visible and approachable leadership presence throughout the hotel. Communicate departmental performance, staffing needs, operational challenges, and significant guest concerns to hotel leadership. Serve as an active member of the hotel's leadership team and contribute to broader operational and strategic initiatives. Perform additional duties as assigned by the General Manager or Hotel Manager. Essential Qualifications Strong knowledge of hotel Housekeeping operations, guest room standards, public‑area cleanliness, linen and laundry management, inventory control, and quality assurance. Proven ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop a diverse Housekeeping team. Strong understanding of Housekeeping labor management, scheduling, productivity, budgeting, forecasting, and expense control. Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness and presentation. Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills. Ability to effectively manage a high‑volume operation in a fast‑paced hotel environment. Strong guest‑service orientation and service‑recovery skills. Ability to analyze guest satisfaction results, productivity reports, labor performance, and departmental expenses. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across hotel departments. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable hotel, Housekeeping, scheduling, and inventory systems. Hands‑on leadership style with a visible and approachable presence throughout the operation. Requirements Previous experience in a comparable senior hotel Housekeeping leadership position required. Minimum 2 years of Department Head experience strongly preferred . Experience managing Housekeeping operations within a large, high‑volume hotel strongly preferred. Previous New York City hotel experience preferred . Lifestyle, full‑service, luxury, or major branded hotel experience preferred. Pre‑opening or new hotel opening experience strongly preferred. Hilton or Canopy brand experience is a plus. Experience managing departmental budgets, labor, productivity, purchasing, inventories, and vendor relationships required. Experience recruiting, training, coaching, and developing Housekeeping teams required. A college degree or coursework in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Must have flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on hotel business needs. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk throughout guest rooms, guest floors, public spaces, and back‑of‑house areas. The position may require bending, reaching, stooping, and other physical movement associated with inspecting guest rooms and hotel facilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds . Why You Will Enjoy This Job Join the pre‑opening leadership team of the first Canopy hotel in New York City . Build the Housekeeping department and its culture from the ground up. Lead the Housekeeping operation of a 365‑room, design‑forward flagship lifestyle hotel . Play a critical role in preparing the property for opening and establishing the cleanliness and quality standards guests will associate with Canopy New York City. Develop and mentor a team while creating a culture centered on teamwork, accountability, recognition, and professional growth. Work collaboratively with an experienced hotel leadership team in the heart of Manhattan's Penn District. Join a company that values TEAM culture, collaboration, and long‑term career development. TEAM Benefits Bonus Eligible 401(k) Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Voluntary Insurance TEAM and Travel Discounts Vacation, Well, and Holiday Pay Career Advancement Opportunities Professional Training and Development Opportunities The anticipated compensation range for this position is $90,000–$100,000 per year . The salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on several factors, including but not limited to relevant Housekeeping leadership experience, New York City hotel experience, pre‑opening experience, brand experience, education, and qualifications. In compliance with federal law, all hired persons must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form (Form I-9) upon hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr Canopy by Hilton New York Midtown