Housekeeping Manager

Are you a dynamic leader with an eye for detail, a passion for high standards, and a track record of motivating great teams?

Our client is looking for an experienced, hands-on Housekeeping Manager to take the lead in maintaining their historic grounds and properties to an exceptional standard. As a Head of Department, you won''t just oversee day-to-day operations—you’ll inspire a large, diverse team, drive continuous improvement, and ensure every student, fellow, and guest experiences the very best of Cambridge hospitality.

• Leading with Impact: Inspire, mentor, and manage a large team of supervisors, cleaners, contract staff, and agency personnel across our central college grounds and external properties.

• Maintaining Excellence: Oversee quality assurance checks, workflow allocations, and operational standards to keep the College looking top-notch.

• Strategic & Budgetary Ownership: Work directly with the Bursar to manage department budgets, optimise staffing, and oversee procurement.

• Safety First: Champion Health & Safety compliance across the team (COSHH, Legionella checks, Risk Assessments, and contractor management).

• People & Growth: Manage recruitment, deliver hands-on training, and foster a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

• Proven People Manager: Experience leading diverse teams with varied skill sets, cultures, and backgrounds—inspiring confidence and high morale.

• Pragmatic Problem-Solver: A "can-do" continuous improvement mindset with a knack for finding smart solutions on the fly.

• Strong Communicator: Ability to engage professionally and politely with people at all levels—from students and academic staff to external contractors.

• Highly Organised & Budget-Savvy: Skilled at managing complex workloads, tracking expenses, and keeping operations running smoothly.

• Tech & Safety Minded: Proficient in MS Office, with strong knowledge (or willingness to master) H&S legislation, COSHH, and room booking systems.

• Be part of a vibrant, prestigious academic community rich in history.

• Take true ownership of a key department with visible, rewarding impact.

• Enjoy a collaborative work environment with genuine opportunities for team development.

If you''re a proactive leader ready to bring fresh energy and high standards to a world-renowned institution, we’d love to hear from you!