At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to ensure every room sparkles and feels welcoming for guests.
- Company: Burley Manor, a charming country house hotel in the New Forest.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, birthday duvet day, training, discounts, and career growth.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, including weekends, with limited public transport access.
- Why this job: Step up your housekeeping game and lead a supportive team in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Previous housekeeping experience and a keen eye for detail.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 23100 £ per year.
Love a beautifully presented room? Take pride in the little details? Ready to take the next step in your housekeeping career? We're looking for a Senior Housekeeping Assistant to join the team at Burley Manor, our beautiful country house hotel nestled in the heart of the New Forest. This is more than just a housekeeping role. It's an opportunity for someone who loves being hands-on, takes real pride in their work and is ready to take on a little more responsibility.
You'll still be very much part of the action, cleaning and preparing bedrooms alongside the team, but you'll also be a go‑to person within the department. Working closely with our Housekeeping Manager, you'll help keep everything running smoothly, support your colleagues and take the lead when the Manager is away. We're looking for someone with a great eye for detail, a positive attitude and the confidence to take ownership. Someone who doesn't mind rolling up their sleeves, enjoys helping others and understands that the little things can make a big difference to a guest's stay.
If you're ready to step up, develop your skills and become an important part of a close-knit team, we'd love to hear from you!
A little about us: Burley Manor is part of New Forest Hotels, a collection of beautifully individual hotels, each with its own character, story and sense of place. Our purpose is simple: to enrich the lives of those within our community by providing the best New Forest hospitality. We want our hotels to feel warm, sincere and welcoming — places where people can connect, be creative and thrive. Our teams are at the heart of that, and we believe the best hospitality comes from people who genuinely care. We live by four values:
- Be BRAVE – take ownership
- Collaborate as a TEAM
- Develop, NURTURE and care
- Be OPEN – communicate honestly
What you'll be doing: You'll be an important part of our housekeeping team, helping to make sure every bedroom, bathroom and public area looks its best and is ready to welcome our guests. This is a genuinely hands‑on role, so you'll be spending plenty of time cleaning and preparing rooms, working alongside your colleagues and leading by example. You'll also have some additional responsibility, including:
- Getting stuck into the daily housekeeping duties, cleaning and preparing bedrooms to our expected standards.
- Taking pride in the details, from perfectly made beds to spotless bathrooms and those finishing touches that make a room feel special.
- Carrying out room checks and inspections, making sure everything is clean, complete and guest‑ready.
- Helping organise the daily workload, allocate rooms and keep the team on track.
- Being a key point of contact for the housekeeping team and helping colleagues with any questions or challenges.
- Taking responsibility for the day‑to‑day running of housekeeping when the Housekeeping Manager is away.
- Keeping the team motivated, supporting colleagues and helping new starters learn the ropes.
- Keeping an eye on linen, cleaning products and guest supplies, making sure we're well stocked and using everything responsibly.
- Working closely with Reception, Maintenance and other departments to keep things running smoothly.
- Reporting maintenance issues, damages or anything that needs attention.
- Helping to maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, health and safety.
In a nutshell, you'll be someone the team can rely on. You'll be happy to get stuck into the cleaning, but also confident enough to step up, take the lead and make decisions when needed.
What we're looking for: We're not necessarily looking for someone who has held a management title before. We're looking for someone with the right experience, attitude and potential to take that next step. You'll ideally:
- Have previous housekeeping experience, preferably within a hotel or hospitality environment.
- Take genuine pride in your work and have a great eye for detail.
- Understand what makes a room feel clean, fresh and beautifully presented.
- Be confident supporting colleagues and helping organise a team's workload.
- Be comfortable taking responsibility and using your initiative when the Manager isn't around.
- Have a positive, can‑do attitude and be happy to lead by example.
- Be organised, reliable and able to keep things moving during busy periods.
- Communicate well and enjoy working with people across different departments.
- Be approachable, supportive and happy to share your knowledge.
- Understand the importance of health and safety and safe working practices.
- Be flexible and happy to work weekends, bank holidays and during busy periods.
Most importantly, we want someone who wants to grow. You might already be an experienced Housekeeping Assistant looking for more responsibility, or someone who has started taking the lead informally and is ready for that to become part of your role. You don't need to know everything, but you do need to care, be willing to learn and have the confidence to step up when needed.
Why join us? We want our people to enjoy being part of New Forest Hotels, feel valued and have opportunities to develop their careers. As part of the team, you'll receive:
- 28 days' holiday per year, plus a duvet day on your birthday (contracted roles).
- Fantastic training and career development opportunities.
- Free staff parking.
- Discounts across the group and with our partners, including Hospitality Action and high street discounts.
- Opportunities to work and develop across our collection of New Forest hotels.
Bring your experience, your energy and your eye for detail. We'll help you take the next step.
Please note that Burley Manor is located in the heart of the New Forest and public transport links are limited. Before applying, please make sure you're familiar with our location and have considered how you would travel to and from work. Shift patterns vary and the role will include weekends and busy holiday periods. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we're unable to respond to every candidate individually. If you haven't heard from us within two weeks of submitting your application, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Senior Housekeeping Assistant employer: New Forest Hotels PLC
New Forest Hotels PLC offers a vibrant work environment in the heart of the New Forest, focusing on exceptional hospitality and guest satisfaction. Employees benefit from hands-on roles that encourage professional growth and teamwork, with opportunities to develop skills in food and beverage service, kitchen management, and housekeeping. The company values a proactive approach to leadership and collaboration, ensuring a supportive atmosphere for all staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Housekeeping Assistant
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like New Forest Hotels PLC. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to New Forest Hotels PLC
Don't be shy about reaching out to New Forest Hotels PLC directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Housekeeping Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about New Forest Hotels PLC and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at New Forest Hotels PLC
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
