A housekeeper, sometimes known as a housekeeping manager, is responsible for organising the staff in a hotel to make sure that all the rooms are kept clean, tidy and welcoming. They supervise staff in the department and encourage effective teamwork. 

A big part of the role is to draw up shift rotas and allocate daily cleaning duties for the room attendants. Housekeepers inspect the rooms and make sure that standards have been met. They record any faults or damages and make arrangements for repairs to be carried out.

Recruiting and training staff would also be part of the job. A housekeeper will demonstrate how to do a task to the set standard and expect new and existing employees to achieve the same level of competence.

Housekeepers prepare and manage budgets, buying in supplies economically and keeping records of expenditure.

Hours and Environment

Shift work is common, including weekends and public holidays. Part-time work may be possible.

Housekeepers work in all kinds of hotels and residential establishments, from small hotels to holiday centres, luxury health spas and private London clubs.

Skills and Interests

To be a housekeeper, you should:

• have the ability to encourage and motivate staff
• have strong communications skills
• have good organisational skills
• pay attention to detail
• be able to cope with a crisis and make decisions
• have good numerical ability
• be physically fit.

Entry

You do not always need to have academic qualifications to become a housekeeper. It is usual to have a background in the hospitality industry or relevant qualifications. It is possible to work your way up from room attendant, if you show the necessary skills in team work and communication.

Qualifications that may help you gain entry into this field at a supervisory level include vocational A levels, a BTEC national certificate or diploma, or NVQ/SVQ qualifications in hospitality, hospitality supervision or hospitality and catering.

There are also foundation degrees, BTEC HNC/HND, and degree courses in subjects like hospitality management, hotel and catering management, international or European hospitality management, and accommodation management with culinary arts. A qualification at this level may help you progress in your career to a senior management position.

The entry requirements for a foundation degree or BTEC HNC/HND will usually include four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus one A level/two H grades. Entry onto a degree is likely to require five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

If you have a degree qualification in a subject unrelated to hospitality, you may be able to take a one-year BA (Hons) conversion course in a subject like Hotel and Catering Management.

Minimum age of entry is usually 18, and there is no maximum age limit.

Training

Training is usually on the job. You may be encouraged to undertake NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Housekeeping, or Hospitality Service. At NVQ/SVQ Level 3 you can study Catering and Hospitality, and Hospitality Supervision.

Other relevant courses include a BTEC national certificate/diploma in hospitality supervision, and a City and Guilds Professional Diploma in Hospitality and Catering.

Many foundation degrees, BTEC HNC/HND, and degree courses can studied part-time whilst you are working; check Entry section for details of useful subjects and entry requirements.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Housekeepers tend to stay in their job for some time and so there are fewer vacancies than in other areas of the industry. There are more opportunities at a junior level but competition can be fierce.

There may be opportunities to move into a related job, such as front-of-house manager or training manager. There are also professional qualifications that can help with progression.

Once in the industry, related work such as domestic services management at a hospital, or facilities management at a university, may provide opportunities.

Some housekeepers become self-employed and run their own small hotel.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

For a junior housekeeper, the salary is likely to be from around £10,000.
With experience, earnings could be between £14,500 to £18,000.
A senior housekeeper may earn up to £22,500.

There may be extra pay for working unsocial hours or overtime. For people who live in, there may be a reduction in salary to cover rent and living expenses.

Further information