Head Housekeeper

St Mary's Care Homes; North East; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

St Mary's Care Homes invites applications for Head Housekeeper at Bowburn Manor, Durham, to lead a small housekeeping and laundry team in a luxury care environment. The role combines hands-on cleaning with leadership to uphold high standards from day one.

You will manage rosters, quality audits and stock, while supporting recruitment and budget adherence in a dedicated, welcoming team.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in housekeeping, hospitality, domestic services or facilities management.
• Experience supervising, leading or coordinating a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of cleaning standards, infection prevention and COSHH procedures.
• Ability to plan workloads and manage priorities effectively.
• Strong communication and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small housekeeping and laundry team to maintain luxury standards.
• Prepare schedules and allocate tasks to ensure high standards.
• Lead by example with hands-on cleaning and maintenance of bedrooms and common areas.
• Perform regular quality checks and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training and annual appraisals for housekeeping staff.
• Monitor stock levels and support budget management.
• Ensure COSHH, infection prevention and health-and-safety compliance.

Skills

Housekeeping

Team leadership

COSHH

Infection prevention

Budget management

Job description

Head Housekeeper

Luxury isn't created by grand gestures alone. It's created by the standards people uphold every single day

Location: Bowburn Manor, Durham

Hours: Full Time

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Competitive

Help Us Create a Home Residents Are Proud to Call Their Own

Bowburn Manor is preparing to open its doors as Durham's newest luxury care home, and we're looking for an experienced and passionate Head Housekeeper to join our founding team.

As part of the trusted St Mary's Care Group, we're creating far more than a beautiful building. We're creating a warm, welcoming home where residents can enjoy comfort, dignity and the highest quality of life.

First impressions matter.

The beautifully presented lounge.

The sparkling windows.

The fresh, welcoming resident rooms.

The little details that make residents feel comfortable and families feel reassured.

As our Head Housekeeper, you'll play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining those standards from day one.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys leading people and understands that exceptional housekeeping is a vital part of exceptional care.

The Opportunity

As Head Housekeeper, you will lead and support a small housekeeping and laundry team, ensuring Bowburn Manor consistently delivers the high standards expected within a luxury care environment.

You'll combine hands on housekeeping with leadership responsibilities, helping to create systems, routines and quality standards that ensure every area of the home remains safe, clean, welcoming and beautifully presented.

Working closely with the Home Manager, you'll help establish a culture where attention to detail, teamwork and pride in our environment become part of everyday life.

What You'll Be Doing

Leading Your Team

Support, supervise and motivate a small team of Housekeepers and Laundry Assistants, creating a positive and supportive working environment.

Managing Rotas and Workloads

Prepare housekeeping schedules and allocate tasks effectively to ensure all areas of the home maintain exceptional standards.

Setting the Standard

Lead by example through hands on housekeeping, ensuring residents' bedrooms, communal areas and facilities are maintained to the highest level.

Quality Auditing

Carry out regular inspections and quality checks across the home, identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring standards remain consistently high.

Supporting Recruitment and Development

Assist with interviews, onboarding, training, supervisions and annual appraisals for housekeeping team members.

Maintaining Stock and Budgets

Monitor and order housekeeping supplies, conduct stock checks and support effective budget management.

Supporting Safety and Compliance

Ensure adherence to COSHH, infection prevention, health and safety requirements and company policies.

Working with the Wider Team

Build positive relationships with residents, families and colleagues, contributing to the warm and welcoming culture of Bowburn Manor.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines excellent housekeeping standards with strong leadership skills.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in housekeeping, hospitality, domestic services or facilities management.
• Experience supervising, leading or coordinating a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of cleaning standards, infection prevention and COSHH procedures.
• The ability to plan workloads and manage priorities effectively.
• Strong communication and people management skills.
• A positive, proactive and supportive approach.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who takes genuine pride in creating beautiful environments and supporting others to achieve high standards.

Why Join Bowburn Manor?

Be Part of Our Opening Team

Play a key role in shaping the standards, culture and success of a brand new luxury care home.

Lead and Develop a Team

Create a positive team environment where people can learn, grow and succeed together.

Make a Meaningful Difference

Your work will directly impact residents' comfort, wellbeing and quality of life.

Feel Valued

Join a supportive organisation that recognises the importance of every role within the home.

INDSMCS