Assistant Housekeeping Manager

Job overview

The Assistant Housekeeping Manager supports the Senior Facilities Manager (Housekeeping) in overseeing a large in-house cleaning team, ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality housekeeping and hostess services across the Trust. The role involves supervising daily operations, managing staff performance, sickness absence, compliance, training and rota planning, while promoting continuous improvement in cleanliness standards in line with the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025.

Main duties of the job

Operational Leadership: Support the Senior Housekeeping Manager in managing a large in-house cleaning and hostess team, ensuring safe and efficient service across clinical and non-clinical areas of the Trust.

Staff Management: Oversee staff performance, including supervision, appraisals, coaching, and disciplinary matters. Monitor attendance and sickness, ensuring cover and reporting.

Training and Development: Identify training needs and coordinate induction, competency assessments, and ongoing training to maintain high service standards and compliance.

Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to infection control, health and safety regulations, and National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025. Undertake audits and inspections to maintain standards.

Rota and Resource Management: Plan staff rotas and allocate resources, equipment, and cleaning supplies effectively.

Reporting and Administration: Collate and report performance metrics, incident reports, and compliance data. Prepare reports, take minutes, and follow up on actions.

Team Communication and Engagement: Chair meetings, promote communication, and act as a point of contact for staff, fostering a positive working environment.

Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction.

Support Senior Management: Deputise for the Senior Housekeeping Manager and contribute to strategic planning and departmental projects.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Assistant Housekeeping Manager supports the Senior Housekeeping Manager in the operational and strategic management of the Trust’s Housekeeping, Cleaning, Ward Hostess, Host, and BTT services. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality, safe, and efficient services across the hospital, in line with the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025. The postholder deputises for the Senior Manager as required and is responsible for leading, managing, and developing a large in-house team, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring compliance with Trust policies and statutory requirements.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day housekeeping, cleaning, hostess, and BTT operations to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Ensure cleaning routines, work schedules, and rotas are implemented to meet operational and patient care requirements.
• Manage the allocation, control, and distribution of cleaning products, equipment, and resources efficiently.
• Collaborate with the Catering department to ensure the seamless delivery of food services to patients.
• Support departmental audits, inspections, and compliance activities, including infection control, Health & Safety, and MICAD reporting.
• Update and maintain risk assessments, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and departmental protocols as required.

• Provide direct line management for all Housekeeping Team Leaders and wider team including BTT
• Support recruitment, induction, mandatory training, appraisal processes, and professional development for team members.
• Manage staff performance, attendance, sickness, disciplinary and grievance matters in line with Trust policies.
• Chair and facilitate team meetings, ensuring effective communication, engagement, and staff participation.
• Deliver training sessions to increase team knowledge, skills, and adherence to robust auditing methods.
• Collate, analyse, and submit reports on departmental performance, compliance, and incidents as required by senior management.
• Take minutes at meetings and ensure timely follow-up of action points.
• Undertake general office duties, including managing staff allocation, answering calls, and responding to correspondence.
• Deputise for the Senior Housekeeping Manager as required, providing leadership and continuity of service
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the department, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction.
• Implement proactive solutions to maintain and improve cleanliness standards.
• Support and participate in Trust-wide projects, initiatives, and audits relating to facilities and housekeeping services.
• Ensure risk is effectively managed within all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory, regulatory, and Trust-specific requirements, including Health & Safety, infection control, and mandatory training standards.Key Working Relationships
• Senior Housekeeping Manager
• Housekeeping Team Leaders and BTT staff
• Catering and Clinical Teams
• Facilities and Estates Teams
• Trust Leadership and Department Heads

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience in a large, multi-disciplinary team.
• Knowledge of healthcare cleanliness standards, infection prevention, and health & safety regulations.
• Ability to manage complex rotas, resources, and operational priorities in a busy acute hospital.
• Experience in conducting audits, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and administrative skills, including minute-taking and report preparation.