Job summary
The Assistant Housekeeping Manager supports the Senior Facilities Manager (Housekeeping) in overseeing a large in-house cleaning team, ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality housekeeping and hostess services across the Trust. The role involves supervising daily operations, managing staff performance, sickness absence, compliance, training and rota planning, while promoting continuous improvement in cleanliness standards in line with the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025.
Main duties of the job
Operational Leadership: Support the Senior Housekeeping Manager in managing a large in-house cleaning and hostess team, ensuring safe and efficient service across clinical and non-clinical areas of the Trust.
Staff Management: Oversee staff performance, including supervision, appraisals, coaching, and disciplinary matters. Monitor attendance and sickness, ensuring cover and reporting.
Training and Development: Identify training needs and coordinate induction, competency assessments, and ongoing training to maintain high service standards and compliance.
Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to infection control, health and safety regulations, and National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025. Undertake audits and inspections to maintain standards.
Rota and Resource Management: Plan staff rotas and allocate resources, equipment, and cleaning supplies effectively.
Reporting and Administration: Collate and report performance metrics, incident reports, and compliance data. Prepare reports, take minutes, and follow up on actions.
Team Communication and Engagement: Chair meetings, promote communication, and act as a point of contact for staff, fostering a positive working environment.
Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction.
Support Senior Management: Deputise for the Senior Housekeeping Manager and contribute to strategic planning and departmental projects.
About us
Do you have the ambition and vision to deliver our mission of theBest of Careby the Best of People providing excellent care, every time?
Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our sharedvisionis achieved for our patients.
As a key partner in the healthcare of our local population, we are keen to deliver this as an outcome of our Trust-wide strategy -Patient First.Using an Operational Excellence approach to align our priorities and operational management structures, we are just over a year and half into ourPatient Firstdeployment. We are looking for creative, skilled people to join our Transformation Team and further support us on this journey.
Our culture and values define us here at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and are the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.
OurBESTvalues underpinPatient Firstand are at the core of the care we give to our patients, the support we offer to our staff and our overall leadership approach:
B - Bold
E - Every person counts
S - Sharing and open
T - Together
Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious and dynamic environment; our employees are able to choose the coverage and supplemental benefits that best fit their needs and those of their families. This includes the promotion of flexible working opportunities across the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Assistant Housekeeping Manager supports the Senior Housekeeping Manager in the operational and strategic management of the Trusts 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Assistant Housekeeping Manager supports the Senior Housekeeping Manager in the operational and strategic management of the Trusts 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
