Head Housekeeper

Harri; Newquay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free surf lessons

Surf equipment hire

Staff discounts across hotels/restos

Team development opportunities

Job summary

Watergate Bay Hotel is seeking a Head Housekeeper to lead our housekeeping team across an 80-bedroom property, ensuring guest-ready rooms, high standards and smooth operations.

You'll plan rotas, manage budgets and stock, train and develop staff, and collaborate with Front Desk to deliver exceptional guest experiences while upholding sustainability and safety commitments.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Housekeeping Manager or senior housekeeping role.
• Confident, supportive team leader who leads by example.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and time-management skills.
• Attention to detail and passion for guest experience.
• Experience managing rotas, staffing levels and labour costs.
• Experience with budgets, purchasing and stock control.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the housekeeping team across an 80-bedroom hotel.
• Own standards across bedrooms and public areas, ensuring guest readiness.
• Plan rotas and daily workloads around business needs.
• Manage room readiness, linen, supplies and departmental budgets.
• Promote sustainability and responsible purchasing.
• Collaborate with Front Desk and other departments to ensure a smooth guest experience.

Skills

Team leadership

Planning & organisation

Budgeting

Job description

Head Housekeeper | Watergate Bay Hotel

This full-time position comes with free surf lessons and exclusive discounts on hotel stays for family and friends.

We’re here to share the joy of Watergate Bay for everyone, now and for the future.

That means doing everything we can to make sure our team, guests and planet stay happy through the moments we create and the impact we have.

Our Head Housekeeper role

We’re looking for a Head Housekeeper to lead our team, taking pride in maintaining the high standards our guests experience throughout their stay.

A good eye for detail, a calm approach when things get busy and a practical, hands-on attitude are important in this role. Working with people and bringing teams together will come naturally, along with an understanding of the important role Housekeeping plays in creating an exceptional guest experience.

You’ll be just as comfortable leading your team and organising the day as you are stepping in to support them when needed. Above all, you’ll take pride in what you do and enjoy creating memorable experiences for our guests.

This is a full-time position, working five days out of seven, and as part of the role you’ll need to hold a clean driving licence.

As our Head Housekeeper you'll be:

• Leading and developing our Housekeeping team across our 80-bedroom hotel, creating a positive, supportive and high-performing environment.
• Taking ownership of standards across bedrooms, public areas and back-of-house, ensuring everything is beautifully presented and guest-ready.
• Planning rotas and daily workloads around the needs of the business, whilst working alongside the team when needed.
• Managing room readiness, linen, supplies and departmental budgets, whilst keeping an eye on efficiency, sustainability and responsible purchasing.
• Encouraging your team to think responsibly about resources, waste and purchasing, and engage with our B Corp initiatives.
• Working closely with our Front Desk and wider hotel teams to resolve issues, maintain Health & Safety standards and deliver a smooth, memorable guest experience.

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience in a Housekeeping Manager, Head Housekeeper or senior housekeeping role, ideally within a hotel.
• A confident and supportive team leader who leads by example.
• Highly organised, with excellent planning and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a genuine passion for cleanliness, presentation and guest experience.
• Experience managing rotas, staffing levels and labour costs.
• Comfortable managing budgets, purchasing and departmental expenditure.
• Experienced in stock and linen management, with a focus on reducing waste.
• Confident building relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Strong IT and administration skills, with the ability to manage the day‑to‑day organisation of the department.
• Able to train, motivate and develop a diverse housekeeping team.
• Calm, practical and solution-focused in a busy hotel environment.
• Hands-on, proactive and willing to step in and support the team when needed.
• Committed to continuous improvement, sustainability and responsible working practices.
• Strong communicator who works effectively with other departments.

Knowledge of COSHH, experience with training teams in safety procedures and experience working with external suppliers would be particularly valuable.

What we’ll offer you

• A relaxed, professional place to work in a beautiful location, at one of the UK’s most striking beaches
• Free surf lessons, plus surfboard and wetsuit hire from Wavehunters
• A supportive, ambitious team with excellent opportunities for career development
• Generous team and friends & family rates across our hotels, restaurants and Swim Club
• Access to partner discounts and wellbeing experiences
• A team assistance scheme, providing confidential support and advice when you need it

Dedicated, loyal guests who love what we do. A committed team with a shared outlook. A deep, instinctive care for the environment around us. It’s what sets Watergate Bay apart.

Our commitment to our team is reflected in our exceptional working environment – one that promotes work-life balance, professional development, and a positive culture where everyone is heard and supported, always.