Housekeeping Assistant Manager

Company Overview
Cedar Lakes Estate is a timeless private estate designed for modern events and escapes, nestled in the scenic heart of the Hudson Valley. We are dedicated to providing exceptional hospitality experiences in a beautiful, well-maintained environment.

Overview
The Housekeeping Assistant Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Housekeeping Department at Cedar Lakes Estate. This role owns the organization, staffing, training, scheduling, performance, and overall execution of the department while ensuring our guest accommodations and spaces consistently meet Cedar Lakes Estate standards.

The Housekeeping Assistant Manager works closely with the Hotel Operations Manager and other department leaders to anticipate needs, coordinate priorities, and ensure the property is prepared for each event, wedding, retreat, and hotel stay. This is a hands-on leadership position that requires someone who can effectively manage a team while also being willing to jump in and support the operation when needed.

DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP STAFFING

• Support the Hotel Operations Manager in overseeing the overall operation and performance of the Housekeeping Department, with primary responsibility for day-to-day housekeeping execution.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight to a Housekeeping team of approximately 12 - 16 employees, supporting staffing, scheduling, training, performance, productivity, and departmental execution.
• Create and manage weekly housekeeping schedules based on occupancy, events, departmental needs, and anticipated workload.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding housekeeping employees.
• Monitor staffing levels, labor hours, and scheduling needs, making adjustments as necessary to support operational demands while remaining within established labor budgets and minimizing unnecessary overtime.
• Train new employees and provide ongoing coaching and development to existing team members.
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable for performance, attendance, quality, and workplace standards.
• Address employee performance and disciplinary matters promptly and consistently in partnership with the Hotel Operations Manager and Human Resources.
• Conduct regular one-on-one conversations, performance discussions, and team check-ins as needed.
• Lead weekly Housekeeping Department meetings to communicate priorities, upcoming events, challenges, changes, and expectations.

HOUSEKEEPING OPERATIONS

• Oversee the cleanliness, presentation, and readiness of guest accommodations and other areas assigned to the Housekeeping Department.
• Assign daily responsibilities and ensure work is completed accurately, efficiently, and on time.
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure rooms and spaces meet Cedar Lakes Estate cleanliness and presentation standards.
• Ensure the housekeeping department is following established SOPs and checklists, and that all SOPs and checklists get updated as systems advance
• Monitor department workflow throughout the day and adjust assignments when priorities or circumstances change.
• Maintain strong systems for room turnovers, deep cleaning, special projects, and preventative cleaning.
• Identify inefficiencies within the department and develop better processes, procedures, and organizational systems.
• Maintain an organized and functional housekeeping operation, including storage rooms, supply areas, equipment, and housekeeping workspaces.
• Step into housekeeping responsibilities when necessary during high-volume periods, staffing shortages, or other operational needs.

BUDGET LABOR EFFICIENCY

• Support the management of the Housekeeping Department within the established budget, with responsibility for monitoring labor, supplies, outside services, and other departmental expenses and escalating potential concerns to the Hotel Operations Manager.
• Monitor housekeeping labor costs and staffing levels closely, making scheduling and operational adjustments as needed to remain within budget while maintaining Cedar Lakes Estate standards.
• Ensure the housekeeping team consistently completes assigned rooms and spaces within established cleaning-time standards while maintaining expected quality and attention to detail.
• Monitor cleaning times, productivity, and departmental workflow to identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining Cedar Lakes Estate quality standards.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that reduce unnecessary labor, overtime, waste, duplication of work, and other operational inefficiencies in partnership with the Hotel Operations Manager.

ROOM QUALITY MAINTENANCE PARTNERSHIP

• Conduct regular, proactive room and accommodation walk-throughs with the Maintenance team to identify repairs, preventative maintenance needs, wear and tear, and opportunities to improve the overall quality and condition of guest spaces.
• Maintain an ongoing system for documenting, communicating, and following up on maintenance items identified during room walk-throughs to ensure issues are addressed in a timely manner.
• Partner with Maintenance and Hotel Operations to look beyond day-of cleanliness and continually evaluate the overall condition, functionality, presentation, and longevity of guest accommodations.
• Identify recurring room-quality concerns or patterns and work collaboratively with the appropriate departments to develop long-term solutions rather than relying solely on temporary fixes.

INVENTORY SUPPLIES

• Manage housekeeping inventory, including linens, cleaning supplies, guest amenities, equipment, and other departmental materials.
• Establish appropriate inventory levels and systems to prevent shortages, unnecessary waste, and over-ordering.
• Conduct routine inventory counts and maintain accurate records.
• Coordinate purchasing and replenishment within established purchasing guidelines and approval processes.
• Monitor the condition of linens, equipment, and supplies and identify when replacement or repair is necessary.
• Promote responsible use of company supplies and equipment throughout the department.

COMMUNICATION COLLABORATION

• Work very closely with the Hotel Operations Manager on all aspects of housekeeping operations, staffing, standards, priorities, and guest needs.
• Effectively communicate expectations, instructions, feedback, training, and operational updates to a diverse team.
• Maintain consistent communication with Hotel Operations regarding room status, arrivals, departures, special requests, maintenance concerns, and other operational updates.
• Collaborate with other department managers to ensure property-wide tasks are completed efficiently, and responsibilities are clearly communicated.
• Communicate proactively about staffing concerns, operational challenges, supply needs, and anything that could impact the guest experience.
• Participate in management meetings and operational planning as needed.
• Maintain strong working relationships with existing housekeeping vendors and service providers, ensuring consistent quality, reliability, and communication; research, evaluate, and recommend new vendors when needed to support operational needs, improve service, or identify more effective and cost-conscious solutions.
• Foster a positive, respectful, accountable, and team-oriented environment within the department.

Requirements

• Previous housekeeping experience required; hospitality, hotel, resort, or luxury property experience strongly preferred.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills strongly preferred, but not required. Must be committed to finding effective ways to communicate across language differences to ensure all team members understand expectations, training, Cedar Lakes Estate standards, and company culture.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, motivate, and hold a team accountable.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to create and manage employee schedules based on fluctuating business needs.
• Comfortable handling employee performance and disciplinary conversations professionally and consistently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with managers across multiple departments.
• Ability to work outside in different weather conditions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate operational needs before they become issues.
• Comfortable working with scheduling, inventory, communication, and other workplace technology and systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professionalism when handling employee or guest-related matters.
• Must be dependable, punctual, and comfortable taking ownership of the department.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, and/or evenings during events and peak periods.
• Must be comfortable working in a physically active environment and assisting with hands-on housekeeping duties when necessary.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly bend, reach, squat, push, pull, and climb stairs.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Reliable transportation to and from Cedar Lakes Estate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $70,000