Assistant Housekeeping Manager

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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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NVQ customer service level 5 or equivalent front of house management experience or Facilities qualifcations.
• Evidence of Health & Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, or COSHH training.
• Leadership or management qualification or equivalent experience in a supervisory role.
• Relevant qualification in Facilities Management, Housekeeping, or related field (e.g., NVQ Level 4 in Cleaning/Facilities Management, or equivalent).
• Level 2 Food Safety / Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent recognised qualification).
• Level 3 or Level 4 qualification in Facilities Management, Cleaning Management, or Leadership/Management.
• Food Hygiene Level 3 (or higher)

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable use of knowledge and use of NHS management procedures
• Proven experience of managing/supervising teams and provisions
• Knowledge of work procedures, practices and equipment of the housekeeping, food service and Bed Turnaround team
• Understanding and compliance with Data Protection Act

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a leadership role
• Experience of working in a Customer Services role
• Experience of influencing and changing practice
• Experience of dealing with, managing and solving routine problems within a team in a timely manner
• Experience of motivating others to achieve team objectives
• Experience of identifying talent in the team and working with individuals to develop their skills

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to multi-task, prioritising work and meeting tight deadlines
• Excellent organisation skills
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Computer literate, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel
• Effective listening skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing

Please note that we do not accept applications via CV or recruitment agencies.

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity.

Applications are welcomed from applicants who wish to apply for a position on the basis of a smarter or flexible working arrangement. Where candidates are successful at interview, such requests will be taken under consideration and accommodated where the needs of the service allow.

We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

All staff no matter where they work or which age group of patients they work with must be aware of their responsibility to act when they feel a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been or is at risk of abuse.

We are a fully non-smoking Trust. Smoking is completely prohibited in all Trust buildings, grounds and car parks for patients, visitors, staff and contractors.

This Local Employment Partnership Employer shares information about new starters with Jobcentre Plus, for statistical purposes only.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through NHS Jobs, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via NHS Jobs. If you have a query relating to your application, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 830000.

If you have not heard from us within 21 days of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

We wish to stress that no discourtesy is intended in following such a procedure, and you should not let this deter you from future applications.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note this vacancy may close early if the number of applications is met.
Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 533.3KB)