Housekeeping Manager

Select Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Select Recruitment Specialists Ltd in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Housekeeping Manager to lead our historic college grounds and properties to exceptional standards. As a Head of Department, you will inspire a large, diverse team, drive continuous improvement, and ensure every student, colleague, and guest experiences the best of Cambridge hospitality.

You will mentor supervisors, cleaners, contract staff and agency personnel, oversee quality checks and budgets, and champion Health &

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large, diverse teams across multiple sites.
• Strong communication with staff, students, and contractors.
• Budget management and procurement oversight.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Lead supervisors, cleaners, contract staff and agency personnel across college grounds.
• Oversee quality checks, workflow allocations and operational standards.
• Manage department budgets, staffing planning and procurement.
• Champion Health & Safety compliance including COSHH, Legionella checks and risk assessments.
• Recruit, train and develop a high-performing team.

Skills

People Management

Budget Management

Stakeholder Communication

Quality Assurance

Health & Safety Awareness

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Are you a dynamic leader with an eye for detail, a passion for high standards, and a track record of motivating great teams?

Our client is looking for an experienced, hands-on Housekeeping Manager to take the lead in maintaining their historic grounds and properties to an exceptional standard. As a Head of Department, you won't just oversee day-to-day operations you ll inspire a large, diverse team, drive continuous improvement, and ensure every student, fellow, and guest experiences the very best of Cambridge hospitality.

What You ll Be Doing

• Leading with Impact: Inspire, mentor, and manage a large team of supervisors, cleaners, contract staff, and agency personnel across our central college grounds and external properties.

• Maintaining Excellence: Oversee quality assurance checks, workflow allocations, and operational standards to keep the College looking top-notch.

• Strategic & Budgetary Ownership: Work directly with the Bursar to manage department budgets, optimise staffing, and oversee procurement.

• Safety First: Champion Health & Safety compliance across the team (COSHH, Legionella checks, Risk Assessments, and contractor management).

• People & Growth: Manage recruitment, deliver hands-on training, and foster a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

What We re Looking For

• Proven People Manager: Experience leading diverse teams with varied skill sets, cultures, and backgrounds inspiring confidence and high morale.

• Pragmatic Problem-Solver: A "can-do" continuous improvement mindset with a knack for finding smart solutions on the fly.

• Strong Communicator: Ability to engage professionally and politely with people at all levels from students and academic staff to external contractors.

• Highly Organised & Budget-Savvy: Skilled at managing complex workloads, tracking expenses, and keeping operations running smoothly.

• Tech & Safety Minded: Proficient in MS Office, with strong knowledge (or willingness to master) H&S legislation, COSHH, and room booking systems.

Why this is a great job

• Be part of a vibrant, prestigious academic community rich in history.

• Take true ownership of a key department with visible, rewarding impact.

• Enjoy a collaborative work environment with genuine opportunities for team development.