Housekeeping Manager - INTERNAL OPENING FOR CURRENT KSU EMPLOYEES ONLY

Kent State; Kent (OH); On-site; CAD 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent State University is seeking an experienced Custodial Services Supervisor to manage housekeeping for a large campus unit. You will oversee supervisors, schedule work, and ensure contract compliance, training, and safety.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting skills, and the ability to coordinate with multiple departments while maintaining high cleaning standards and efficiency.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus supervision/management training.
• Minimum five years custodial experience with at least three years in supervision.
• Knowledge of budgeting, inventory control, custodial operations, safety practices.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct work activities; assign duties and set priorities.
• Interview applicants and evaluate classified staff performance.
• Recommend personnel actions and implement them.
• Communicate policies; resolve staff and customer concerns.
• Monitor work hours, overtime, leave, and performance records.
• Ensure staff training and development; plan training activities.
• Develop policies; determine staffing needs and budgets.
• Oversee outside contract cleaning services and vendor relationships.
• Coordinate housekeeping with other campus departments.

Skills

Supervising

Interviewing

Evaluating

Disciplining

Training employees

Planning work activities

Time management

Prioritization

Interpersonal communication

Written communication

Microsoft Word

Excel

Education

2-year degree in a related field

APPA training/certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Physical Location:

Kent Campus - Kent, OH

$25.03 per hour

Basic Function:

Manages housekeeping activities for a large unit such as Residence Services or Custodial Services for multiple facilities across campus. Reports to Assistant/Associate Director or other designated supervisor.

Plans and supervises Assistant Housekeeping Managers, Housekeeping Supervisors, Custodial Work Supervisors, Crew Leaders and other classified, temporary or student employees engaged in custodial activities for a large area of campus; has authority and responsibility to exercise independent judgment in:

• Planning and directing the work activities of employees; assigning and monitoring work duties and responsibilities; establishing and modifying work methods, schedules, and priorities.
• Interviewing job applicants and conducting performance evaluations of classified employees.
• Recommending formal personnel actions (e.g., hiring, termination, promotion, discipline, layoff/recall) for assigned employees and initiating appropriate action to implement recommendations.
• Communicating and enforcing policies and procedures; resolving problems; addressing employee and customer concerns and complaints and adjusting grievances.
• Monitoring and maintaining records of employees' work hours, overtime/compensatory time, sick leave, vacation, performance, and related information; authorizing time worked and recommending the approval/disapproval of leave requests.
• Ensuring appropriate training of staff; identifying training needs; developing and implementing training activities.
• Develops departmental policies and procedures; evaluates and/or modifies existing programs and policies.
• Determines staffing needs.
• Prepares and monitors housekeeping budget; maintains fiscal records.
• Oversees the work of outside contract cleaning services to ensure contract obligations are being met.
• Monitors inventory control of equipment, furniture and supplies; contacts sales persons and vendors concerning products; purchases new equipment.
• Coordinates housekeeping functions with other departments within the University.
• Performs related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent plus formal course work or training in supervision, management or related area. A minimum of five years progressively responsible custodial experience, to include three years supervisory experience.

Knowledge Of:

• Budgeting
• Inventory control
• Custodial operations, safety practices, and industry standards

Skill In:

• Supervising, interviewing, evaluating, disciplining, and training employees
• Planning and directing work activities, managing time effectively, and setting priorities
• Resolving problems independently and making decisions
• Interpersonal communication to effectively interact with University personnel and public, both in person and over the Telephone (e.g., to transmit work directives, to coordinate projects with other relevant departments and outside contractors)
• Written and electronic communication (e.g., to compose correspondence, reports, etc.)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Ability To:

• Coordinate and monitor several projects simultaneously
• Read and comprehend a variety of written materials
• Develop/modify policies and procedures
• Analyze information, identify trends, and take corrective action
• Evaluate new products and equipment and determine their application to operations feasibility
• Demonstrate proper use and operation of cleaning equipment
• Perform basic mathematics (e.g., add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and to calculate percentages)
• Lift 75 pounds

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

Completion of a 2-year degree in a related field with evidence of continued training in custodial operations. APPA training/certification.

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Exposed to occasional discomforts such as dust, dirt, odors, and variable temperatures; requires light physical effort (e.g., stooping, bending, walking, lifting) to demonstrate equipment use, check work progress, etc., and occasional lifting of up to 75 pounds; requires on-campus travel.

Working Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; however, schedule may vary to meet departmental needs.

Additional Information:

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.

Advertised: October 13, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: October 27, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time