Executive Housekeeper

Company description

Mantis is a leading, conservation-focused hotel group with eco-lodges, waterways and eco-escapes located all over the world. Sustainable travellers have been enjoying eco-tourism, safaris and adventure travel with Mantis since 2000. Rooted in conservation, Mantis pursues sustainable business practices and develops tourism products that are respectful of the environment and communities in which they operate.

Whether small and intimate or vast and complex, on a sweeping African plain, beach-side escape or bustling city, each is an exceptional place for guests to find themselves. While uniquely different in the experiences they offer, all are linked through a collective obsession to be extraordinary, to be rare in a world that mass-produces sameness.

Job description

Lead the housekeeping department through pre-opening and launch phases to establish operational standards, staffing, training, and systems for a consistently clean, safe, and guest-ready hotel. Develop procedures, implement inventory and procurement, recruit and train teams, and ensure compliance with brand and local regulations.

Pre-opening planning & setup

• Create the housekeeping pre-opening plan, timeline, and budget for staffing, equipment, supplies, uniforms, and training.
• Define departmental organizational chart, job descriptions, schedules, and reporting lines.
• Specify SOPs for guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house, laundry, lost & found, and deep-cleaning programs.
• Design room inspection and quality control processes (room checks, scoring, corrective actions).

Recruitment & training

• Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard housekeeping supervisors, room attendants, housemen, laundry staff, and attendants.
• Develop and deliver pre-opening training programs: guestroom cleaning standards, turndown service, public area maintenance, safety, guest privacy, handling VIPs, and infection control.
• Implement continuous training/certification and cross-training programs for opening and ramping occupancy.

Operations & quality control

• Set cleaning standards, checklists, room inspection protocols, and KPIs (room readiness time, inspection scores, lost & found turnaround, linen turnover, occupancy productivity).
• Supervise daily operations: room inspections, scheduling, stewarding, public area cleanliness, minibar/restocking policies.
• Establish linen and laundry operations: workflow, quality, turnaround times, and outsource coordination if applicable.

Inventory, purchasing & cost control

• Specify, source, and order initial and continuing inventories: chemicals, disposables, linens, amenities, equipment (carts, vacuums), and PPE.
• Set par levels, implement inventory control systems, and manage supplier contracts and pricing.
• Monitor departmental P&L, control labor, consumable, and linen costs; recommend cost-saving measures.

Health, safety & compliance

• Implement health, safety, and environmental protocols (chemical handling, PPE, MSDS, waste disposal).
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws, fire and safety regulations, and brand/chain standards.
• Manage housekeeping security procedures and lost & found system.

Systems & technology

• Select and configure housekeeping management systems (PMS integration, room status reporting, inventory software).
• Establish reporting frequency, templates, and dashboards for operations, inspections, and financial performance.

Vendor & contractor management

• Negotiate and manage relationships with laundry services, pest control, linen suppliers, equipment maintenance, and cleaning contractors.
• Define SLAs, inspection requirements, and performance reviews.

Guest experience & communication

• Collaborate with Front Office, Engineering, F&B, and Sales to ensure room readiness, VIP prep, and rapid response to guest requests/complaints.
• Set standards for guest interactions, privacy, and service recovery.

Qualifications

• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in housekeeping management, with at least 1–2 pre-opening or major renovation projects preferred.
• Experience in hotels of similar scale and brand standards (luxury/upscale preferred).
• Strong knowledge of housekeeping operations, laundry management, procurement, budgeting, and SOP development.
• Leadership skills: hiring, training, coaching, and building high-performing multicultural teams.
• Familiarity with PMS and housekeeping management systems.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Education: Hospitality diploma/degree preferred; certifications in hospitality management or related fields a plus.

Additional information

Benefits, rewards, motivations: In recognition of your hard work and dedication, we offer:

• Lucrative rewards: Your efforts won't go unnoticed – anticipate a competitive salary package with generous performance-based bonuses and incentives.
• Personal growth: Unlock your full potential and pursue your personal goals through continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Industry perks: Enjoy local and global benefits on accommodation, dining, and lifestyle services.
• Learning opportunities: Access Accor's extensive learning and development platform, offering thousands of courses to expand your knowledge and skills.
• Recognition and rewards: Personalized reward programs, bonuses, and incentives in addition to a competitive base salary.