At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the housekeeping team, ensuring exceptional cleanliness and presentation standards.
- Company: Join the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, known for its world-class service and facilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, paid birthday off, health cash plan, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Immediate interview dates available; dynamic work culture with a focus on sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a luxury environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years management experience in luxury hotel or private club settings required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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
- Perkbox discount scheme
- European RAC cover
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Staff uniform
- Generous pension
- 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.
- Flexible and resilient — comfortable working weekends.
- Proficient in housekeeping management systems (opera cloud) and standard Office software (Excel, Word).
Club Values: HEARTS
- 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.
Please visit our website for more information about our Club Vision and Values.
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 - Epsom, Surrey employer: Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises excellence and accountability. Located in the picturesque Epsom, Surrey, our Head Housekeeper role provides not only competitive benefits such as free meals, a generous pension scheme, and an employee assistance programme, but also ample opportunities for professional growth within a prestigious private members club. Join us to lead a dedicated team in maintaining high standards of service and enjoy a rewarding career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Housekeeper - Epsom, Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at the Royal Automobile Club. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the club's values and recent news. Show us that you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about the club’s heritage and commitment to excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear how you've motivated teams and maintained high standards in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your management style and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at the Woodcote Park clubhouse.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Housekeeper - Epsom, Surrey
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 skills align with our values and the specific responsibilities of the Head Housekeeper role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure to communicate your achievements and experiences effectively without unnecessary fluff!
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 Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the Royal Automobile Club's values and mission. Understand what it means to deliver a five-star experience and be ready to discuss how your past experiences align with their standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Housekeeper, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and managed teams in the past, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to maintain high standards while managing budgets.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about specific scenarios, like how you would handle a cleanliness issue or manage laundry operations. Think through your responses ahead of time, focusing on your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Sustainability
The club values sustainability, so be prepared to discuss how you've implemented eco-friendly practices in your previous roles. Share any initiatives you've led that reduced environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.
