At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the housekeeping team, ensuring exceptional cleanliness and presentation standards.
- Company: Join the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, a world-class private members club.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, paid birthday off, health cash plan, and more perks.
- Other info: Immediate interview dates available; excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a luxury environment while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: 3+ years management experience in luxury hotel or private members' club required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
The Royal Automobile Club is an exclusive world‑class private members club, with two stunning clubhouses in London and Epsom. Providing a first‑class service offering accommodation, dining, sports and leisure facilities for the enjoyment of our members and guests. We have a unique and exciting opportunity for a dynamic and experienced Head Housekeeper to join our dedicated team at the Woodcote Park clubhouse. This key role is ideal for a motivated individual who takes pride in delivering exceptional standards, leading by example, and creating a welcoming, well‑maintained environment for our members and guests.
Benefits of working at the Royal Automobile Club:
- Free meals on duty
- Paid birthday day off
- Free shuttle bus from Epsom station
- European RAC cover
- Interest‑free season ticket loan
- Staff uniform
- Electric Vehicles (EV) Scheme
- Employer‑paid health cash plan
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
Purpose of the role:
As Head Housekeeper you will lead, manage, and develop the housekeeping department at our Woodcote Park based in Epsom, Surrey. Take full responsibility for accommodation standards across 22 bedrooms, all public areas, the laundry, and the uniform room. The Head Housekeeper ensures consistently high presentation, hygiene, and personalised member experience, while managing a team of around 21, controlling costs within budget, and maintaining full compliance.
Responsibilities:
- Take personal accountability for the cleanliness, presentation, and condition of all 22 bedrooms, achieving and maintaining five‑star inspection standards consistently.
- Manage the Club's laundry operation, which supports the full estate including bedroom linen, all food and beverage table linen and napkins, golf towels, Cedar Sports Club towels, and Walled Garden towels.
- Manage the Club uniform room, ensuring all uniforms are laundered, stored correctly, and available to employees as required.
- Provide visible, consistent, and motivating leadership to the entire team.
- Responsible for departmental budget including payroll, chemicals, linen, amenities, cleaning equipment, and sundry operational expenditure.
- Develop, maintain, and review room and public area checklists, ensuring all SOPs reflect current Club standards.
- Manage all housekeeping‑related supplier relationships and conduct regular supplier reviews, monitoring quality, delivery reliability, and pricing competitiveness.
- Collaborate with Reception, F&B, Events, and other departments to ensure the member journey from arrival through departure is seamless and consistently delivered.
- Ensure the department operates in full compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation, including COSHH regulations, manual handling, fire safety, and safe working practices.
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of all member preferences, ensuring pre‑arrival room personalisation and in‑stay requests are delivered consistently and discreetly.
- Champion sustainability within the housekeeping and laundry departments, embedding responsible practices into daily operations, procurement decisions, and team behaviour.
About you:
- Minimum 3 years' management experience in a luxury hotel or comparable private members' club housekeeping environment.
- Demonstrable experience managing a team of 15 or more across multiple functions.
- Proven budget responsibility including payroll management and expense control.
- Experience managing a laundry operation.
- Strong knowledge of COSHH regulations and H&S compliance.
- Experience in writing, implementing and reviewing SOPs.
- Supplier and contract management experience.
- Excellent attention to detail and personal presentation standards.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proficient in housekeeping management systems (Opera Cloud) and standard Office software (Excel, Word).
Heritage: Our rich motoring, social, sporting and architectural heritage runs through the fabric and the nature of the Club.
Excellence: Excellence is not an achievement; it is something we strive for every day.
Accountability: Taking ownership of our work, meeting our own high standards, honouring our commitments and acting with professionalism.
Respect: Showing consideration and understanding to our members and colleagues.
Trust: Acting with fairness, honesty and integrity.
Sustainability: Actively contribute to reducing our environmental impact, improving our operational efficiency and continuing to build our reputation.
What to expect: All applications will be reviewed. Immediate interview dates available. The full job description is available upon request ahead of an interview.
Head Housekeeper in Epsom employer: Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the housekeeping team at our prestigious Woodcote Park clubhouse in Epsom. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide generous benefits such as free meals on duty, paid birthday leave, and a health cash plan, all within a supportive and collaborative work culture that values excellence, accountability, and sustainability. Join us to develop your career in a dynamic environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Housekeeper in Epsom
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Royal Automobile Club inside out! Familiarise yourself with their values and what makes them tick. This way, when you walk into that interview, you can show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! As a Head Housekeeper, you'll need to demonstrate how you've led teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you motivated your team or improved standards, and be ready to share them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your attention to detail! Bring along any checklists or SOPs you've developed in previous roles. This will not only highlight your organisational skills but also prove that you understand the importance of maintaining high standards in a luxury environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! When you get the chance, inquire about their sustainability practices or how they ensure member satisfaction. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Housekeeper in Epsom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how much you care about delivering exceptional standards and creating a welcoming environment for our members and guests.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight your relevant experience in luxury hotel or private members' club housekeeping. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and the specific responsibilities of the Head Housekeeper role.
Be Specific:Use concrete examples to demonstrate your leadership skills and budget management experience. We appreciate candidates who can clearly articulate their achievements and how they’ve successfully managed teams and operations in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at the Royal Automobile Club.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Automobile Club
✨Know the Club Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research The Royal Automobile Club. Familiarise yourself with their values, services, and what makes them unique. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their expectations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Housekeeper, you'll be leading a team of around 21. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your leadership style, how you motivate others, and any challenges you've overcome. Be ready to discuss how you ensure high standards and compliance in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is crucial in housekeeping. Bring specific examples of how you've maintained high presentation and hygiene standards in your previous positions. You might even want to mention any systems or checklists you've implemented to ensure consistency and quality.
✨Prepare for Budget Discussions
Since budget management is a key responsibility, be prepared to discuss your experience with payroll management and expense control. Think of examples where you've successfully managed costs while maintaining quality. This will show that you can handle the financial aspects of the role effectively.
