Head housekeeper Duties, Responsabilities & Salary

British Butler Institute; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated head housekeeper to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and organization in a private residence. This role involves overseeing daily cleaning operations, managing and training staff, and maintaining inventory of household supplies. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills, ensuring a harmonious and welcoming environment that reflects the homeowners' lifestyle. With the flexibility of live-in or live-out arrangements, this position offers a unique opportunity to play a vital role in household management while enjoying a rewarding and dynamic work setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in entry-level housekeeping roles is essential.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Manage and schedule housekeeping staff effectively.
• Maintain inventory and enforce cleaning standards.

Skills

Housekeeping Management

Staff Supervision

Inventory Management

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Education

Experience in Housekeeping

Training in Housekeeping Management

Job description

A head housekeeper is tasked with overseeing the daily management and smooth operation of a private residence or estate. They are expected to maintain impeccable levels of cleanliness and organization, manage other domestic staff members, and ensure that all household operations are performed to the highest standards.

Primary missions:

• Overseeing daily cleaning and maintenance
• Supervising and scheduling other housekeeping staff
• Inventory management and ordering household supplies
• Implementing household protocols and standards

This position can be either live-in or live-out, depending on the employer’s needs. Salary ranges from $40,000 to $80,000+.

A head housekeeper serves as the linchpin of household efficiency, ensuring that every aspect of the home environment is managed proactively and professionally. Their role is crucial in maintaining a harmonious, clean, and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the preferences and lifestyle of the homeowners.

Responsibilities include overseeing daily cleaning tasks, ensuring that every part of the residence meets high standards of cleanliness and order, managing the housekeeping staff, which includes hiring, training, and scheduling duties to ensure that work is evenly distributed and completed effectively.

Additionally, a head housekeeper manages the inventory of household supplies, making sure that cleaning materials, toiletries, and other essentials are well-stocked. They also develop and enforce the household’s standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency and quality in every task performed.

What are the missions and responsibilities of the head housekeeper?

• Oversee daily cleaning activities
• Manage and schedule the housekeeping staff
• Maintain inventory of all household supplies
• Enforce household cleaning standards and protocols
• Handle any immediate housekeeping issues
• Report regularly to the homeowners or estate manager
• Train new housekeeping staff
• Supervise deep cleaning projects and seasonal maintenance tasks

How to become a head housekeeper?

To become a head housekeeper, start by gaining experience in entry-level housekeeping positions. This foundational stage allows you to learn the basics of cleaning, maintenance, and the general operations of a private household. Demonstrating reliability, attention to detail, and efficiency in these roles is crucial. As you gain experience, take opportunities to learn from more senior staff, and seek responsibilities that involve supervising others or managing small sections of the household.

Advancing to a head housekeeper typically involves showing leadership qualities and an ability to manage multiple tasks and personnel smoothly. You should aim to develop strong organizational skills and a deep understanding of the standards and expectations of high-end household management. Take any available training courses on housekeeping management or attend workshops that could enhance your skills and knowledge in the field. Once you’ve established a reputation for excellence and leadership in housekeeping, you can apply for head housekeeper positions, highlighting your experience in staff management, problem-solving, and maintaining high standards in household upkeep.

Work conditions

Typically, you’ll be working in a private residence or a luxury estate, where maintaining a clean and orderly environment is your main mission. The setting is usually more personal and less formal than corporate environments, but expectations for high standards remain. The role of a head housekeeper can be either live-in or live-out, depending on the specific needs of the employer and the setup of the household.

In many cases, head housekeepers work standard full-time hours, which could range from 35 to 40 hours per week. However, these hours might be spread across different times of the day and week, depending on the household’s schedule. The role is physically demanding. You’ll be on your feet most of the day, handling everything from basic cleaning to overseeing the moving of furniture and organizing the teams.

Salary

Here’s a table detailing the average salary for a head housekeeper in various countries, providing a general idea of what you might expect to earn in this role across different regions:

• USA: $40,000 – $80,000 USD
• UAE: AED 70,000 – AED 120,000
• UK: £25,000 – £40,000 GBP
• France: €30,000 – €45,000 EUR
• Switzerland: CHF 60,000 – CHF 90,000