Abbey Housekeeper

Scvo; Uig; Remote; GBP 8,400 - 10,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation and meals included

Residential team allowance

Job summary

The Iona Community is seeking an Abbey Housekeeper to lead our housekeeping team at Iona Abbey. You will live and work in the residential community, supervising cleaning duties for Abbey accommodation, Welcome Centre toilets and other properties, and coordinating with the Deputy Housekeeper and volunteers.

This is a guest-facing role with early and late shifts; you will help run the Refectory and Scullery with the Kitchen Team, uphold safety standards, and model hospitable service while

Qualifications

• Experience of cleaning, ideally in a hospitality setting.
• Proven ability to supervise and support people and to lead by example.
• Well-developed organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ideally from a customer-facing environment.
• A good understanding of Health & Safety and environmental regulations.
• The ability to undertake a hands-on role involving some physical work and manual handling.
• A willingness to live in a residential community and cover for colleagues when necessary.
• Experience of managing volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Lead housekeeping team and ensure Abbey accommodation, Welcome Centre toilets and other properties are kept to a high standard.
• Oversee the smooth running of the Refectory and Scullery, working with the Kitchen Team.
• Be guest-facing and assist guests and staff with queries between activities.
• Work early and late shifts in line with Abbey life.

Skills

Cleaning experience

Supervising volunteers

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Health & Safety knowledge

Manual handling

Residential living

Microsoft 365

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

## Abbey Housekeeper* The Iona Community* Full time* £9,350* On site: Isle of Iona* Closing 27th November 2026* Advertised from 3rd November 2026* Residential Team allowance of £779.17 per month (£9350 p.a.); all rent, bills and food included. 3 year Fixed Term post#### RoleThe Iona Community is seeking an Abbey Housekeeper to lead our housekeeping team and help make Iona Abbey a clean,well-organised and welcoming home for guests, staff and volunteers.Working as part of the Resident Team is more than a job; it is a way of life. You will live and work alongsidecolleagues and guests, sharing in daily tasks, worship and recreation.Working with a Deputy Housekeeper and up to four volunteers, you will take part in all cleaning duties and ensurethat the Abbey accommodation, Welcome Centre toilets and other Community properties on Iona are kept to a highstandard. You will also ensure the smooth running of the Refectory and Scullery, working with the KitchenTeam.This is also an important guest-facing role. For many guests, the housekeeping team is the most visible team at theAbbey, and you will often be the first person they turn to with a question between programme activities. Thepost involves early and late shifts in line with the flow of Abbey life.We are looking for someone with:* A strong commitment to the ministry of hospitality and the common life, and a pastoral nature that welcomes people whoever they are* Experience of cleaning, ideally in a hospitality setting* Proven ability to supervise and support people and to lead by example* Well-developed organisational skills and attention to detail* Excellent interpersonal skills, ideally from a customer-facing environment* A good understanding of Health & Safety and environmental regulations* The ability to work well under pressure, adapt to change and take independent initiative* The ability to undertake a hands-on role involving some physical work and manual handling* A willingness to live in a residential community and cover for colleagues when necessary* Awareness of, and sympathy with, the Iona Community’s Christian commitment, purpose and valuesExperience of managing volunteers and good computer skills, including Microsoft 365, would be welcome but are notessential.This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. The post-holder must be, or become, a member ofScotland’s Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme.Due to the nature of this post, it will not be possible to consider applicants who do not already have the right towork in the United Kingdom.#### Application notesAn application pack is available below.#### Downloads* Recruitment Pack* Application Form* Criminal Convictions Form* Working on Iona for The Iona Community