Assistant Executive Housekeeper: Role, Responsibilities, and Qualifications

An Assistant Executive Housekeeper is responsible for helping the Executive Housekeeper in maintaining the cleanliness and overall appearance of a hotel or resort. This includes overseeing and training housekeeping staff, managing schedules, and ensuring that all rooms and public areas are cleaned and maintained to high standards.

In addition to managing the daily operations of the housekeeping department, the Assistant Executive Housekeeper is also responsible for conducting routine inspections to ensure that standards are met. They must be able to identify areas that require attention and make recommendations for improvement. This role oversees and coordinates the activities of room attendants, public area cleaners, and floor supervisors, assisting in the management of all housekeeping and laundry functions.

The Assistant Executive Housekeeper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as strong attention to detail. They must be able to work well under pressure, manage multiple tasks at once, and effectively deal with guests, other departments, and staff. Overall, they play an essential role in ensuring that guests have a clean and comfortable stay, contributing to the overall success of the business.

Responsibilities and Duties

The responsibilities of an Assistant Executive Housekeeper are comprehensive, covering operations, quality control, and administration.

Operations and Staff Management

• Get a list of vacant rooms needing cleaning and check-outs to prepare work assignments.
• Assign team members their duties and check their work for compatibility with cleanliness standards.
• Prepare and distribute room assignment sheets and floor keys to attendants.
• Confirm all housekeeping staff members have arrived or find replacements for absent employees.
• Provide support to the Executive Housekeeper in all areas of operations, including staff training and counseling.
• Select, recruit, and train qualified housekeeping candidates.
• Orient new personnel with hotel facilities and operating hours.
• Record data on work assignments, personnel actions, and time cards.
• Reward employees who use their empowerment to fulfill or exceed guest expectations.
• Ensure guest rooms are secured correctly and proper key control procedures are used.

Quality Assurance and Scheduling

• Maintain high-quality housekeeping standards in guest rooms, linen, laundry, public areas, and for lost-and-found procedures.
• Schedule the cleaning of room carpets, upholstery, and curtains as needed, along with deep cleaning projects.
• Schedule cleaning for lobbies, public restrooms, hallways, entrances, and elevators.
• Schedule periodic large cleaning projects, including carpet shampooing, wall washing, and window cleaning.
• Schedule the cleaning of all meeting rooms regularly and after functions are complete.
• Ensure all meeting room functions are set up correctly according to the event sheet.

Guest Relations and Communication

• Maintain clear and efficient communication and coordination with the front office and other hotel departments.
• Advise managers and desk clerks of rooms ready for occupancy.
• Coordinate with the front office and send a list of room discrepancies.
• Investigate concerns regarding housekeeping services and appliances, taking corrective action.
• Attend to guest complaints and take steps to restore service if needed.
• Review housekeeping-related points on guest feedback forms, take action on complaints, and share praise with staff.
• Oversee any guest communication from the housekeeping department.

Administrative and Financial Duties

• Help control expenses within the housekeeping department.
• Control all expenses related to housekeeping, including labor, guest supplies, and cleaning supplies.
• Inventory linen stock to ensure adequate supplies.
• Review outside laundry services to ensure quality, prevent damage to linen, and ensure consistent delivery within budget.
• Coordinate with vendors for services like pest control, laundry, and other outsourcing.
• Send requests for regular repair and maintenance of cleaning equipment.
• Prepare purchase requests for supplies and equipment, and monitor par stock levels.
• Prepare an annual budget.
• Print all housekeeping-related reports from the Property Management System (PMS).
• Attend staff meetings with other department heads.

Position Details and Prerequisites

Job Title: Assistant Executive Housekeeper

Reports to: Executive Housekeeper / Resident Manager

Education

A hotel management diploma or equivalent is required. Must be able to read and understand instructions and safety rules. Must be able to write reports with correct format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, and speak English clearly.

Experience

A minimum of 2 years of housekeeping experience in a supervisory capacity is required, along with 2 years of line-level experience in all aspects of the housekeeping department.

Sample Interview Questions

When interviewing candidates, it is important to assess their leadership skills, operational experience, and ability to manage a team.

1. Can you discuss your previous experience in a housekeeping leadership role and how it has prepared you for this position?
2. How do you prioritize and delegate tasks among housekeeping staff to ensure efficient, high-quality service?
3. What steps do you take to ensure consistent cleanliness and hygiene standards are met in guest rooms and public areas?
4. Can you share an example of how you handled and resolved a problem within the housekeeping team or addressed a guest concern related to cleanliness?
5. How do you contribute to the training and development of housekeeping staff to ensure they meet service standards?
6. What strategies do you use to coordinate with other hotel departments to ensure smooth operations and guest satisfaction?
7. How do you stay informed about industry trends and best practices in housekeeping to continuously improve your team’s quality of service?

Salary Details

Salaries for Assistant Executive Housekeepers can vary based on experience, location, and the size or reputation of the establishment. In January 2023, the salary range for this position in the United States was around $40,000 to $60,000 per year. However, salary figures may have changed, so it is advisable to consult the latest industry salary surveys or HR professionals for the most current information.