Job Description

Housekeeping Supervisor (Full Time)

Darwin is a welcoming community of postgraduate students and academics. Our beautiful riverside location provides a home in central Cambridge for students from over 80 different countries, studying for the full range of postgraduate degrees.

Founded in 1964, we were the first exclusively postgraduate College in Cambridge, and the first to admit both women and men. For over 60 years Darwin has offered an egalitarian, inclusive space within which research can flourish. Our members and alumni are at the forefront of innovative responses to global challenges, from the climate crisis to emerging viruses.

We are seeking a full-time Housekeeping Supervisor to join our dedicated team.

With a passion for ensuring the provision of a consistent high-quality housekeeping service to our college community. You will be responsible for assisting the Housekeeping Manager with the supervision of our housekeeping team, and will deputise for them during periods of annual leave and other periods when they might be unavailable.

To be successful you will need to have team management skills and the ability to communicate effectively with both team members and other College departments. It is also essential that you have the ability to carry out housekeeping and cleaning duties including lifting and climbing stairs, and are also able to deal with the administrative aspects of this role.

The hours of work are 6 am to 1.30 pm Monday to Friday, this includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. One weekend a month you will be required to work either a Saturday or a Sunday for which you will be eligible to take a day off during the normal working week. There may be a requirement to work outside of these hours to attend training, meetings and to support college events.

Benefits

Access to College gym Training and Professional Development Access to Cambridge University Library 33 days' annual leave a year (inclusive of bank holidays) (pro rata for part time workers). After 5 years' service your annual holiday entitlement will be increased by one day Non-contractual annual bonus Defined contribution Pension scheme Free meals during working hours and college kitchen opening hours Use of the Colleges punts, canoes and kayaks at a cost of 30 a year

These benefits are non-contractual and may be changed or removed at any time

Requirements:

Previous cleaning experience is essential, especially the safe use of cleaning products and equipment. Previous experience of supervising a small team is essential. Must be dependable and able to work independently. Physically fit, as the job involves walking between buildings, using stairs, and doing active cleaning tasks throughout the shift Flexible and willing to support the team when cover is needed or tasks change during the day. Good attention to detail and time management. Due to the early start punctuality and reliability are essential.
The full and Person Specification can be found below.

To apply please include a copy of your CV and covering letter.

Full

Job title: Housekeeping Supervisor

Department: Housekeeping

Job purpose

To provide a high standard of cleaning within the College buildings in a safe organised environment and to assist the Housekeeping Manager in their role.

Job overview

To demonstrate active and visible leadership in the Housekeeping Department working alongside the Housekeeping Manager. This is a position which requires the ability and willingness to work across the accommodation estate, carrying out daily walk-throughs of College buildings to identify and resolve issues promptly and overseeing the daily service delivery of across the College. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a strong and visible presence on site, regularly engaging with staff and monitoring housekeeping services standards. They should lead by example by working alongside the team when required, particularly during busy periods or room changeovers and build positive relationships with staff by being approachable, supportive, and actively involved in day-to-day operations

Specific duties

Housekeeping Assistant Duties (30% of job role):

Collect daily the keys, to commence allocated areas of working. Collect any instructions from the Housekeeping Manager and understand all relevant work to be carried out. Clean all college areas that are allocated to you daily to ensure a high standard of cleanliness at all times. Ensure all rubbish is cleared and disposed of in the correct containers provided. Ensure that all weekly and monthly additional cleaning tasks are carried out. Report any maintenance issues or Fire safety / Health and Safety / welfare issues to the relevant department Ensure all corridors, stairs and fire exits are kept clean and clutter free. Attend all necessary training sessions and courses as required. Ensure all cleaning cupboards are kept neat and tidy, stocked and locked at all times. Be responsible for all equipment ensuring that it is stored correctly and in good working order and chemicals are stored with the correct labels. Ensure guest room turnarounds are completed in a timely manner.
Supervisory Duties (70% of job role):

Assist the Housekeeping Manager by:

Checking the standards of cleaning across the estate and communicating feedback effectively to team members. It is expected that the successful candidate be an active and visible leader to the team, overseeing weekday and weekend morning cleaning across the estate as required. Issuing and check the return of keys to staff members. Checking room inventories. Training, organising and supervising the team to provide a high standard of cleaning in College properties, involving the cleaning of kitchens, bathrooms and communal areas. Conducting regular area inspections, providing immediate feedback and ensuring standards are maintained. Acting as a first point of contact for the team, offering support, motivation, and problem-solving on the ground. Be responsible for cleaning cupboard checks and stock control. Assisting with area checks, reporting back any issues to the Housekeeping Manger Assisting with early morning stock release for staff. Ordering and issuing PPE and uniforms for the Housekeeping Department and others as required. Ensuring the Housekeeping team complies with Health and Safety requirements including COSHH and RIDDOR. Ensure all accidents are reported correctly to the manager
Duties when deputising for the Housekeeping Manager:

This to cover for annual leave and other times when the Housekeeping Manager is unavailable.

Allocation of daily duties to the cleaners and caretakers including prioritising work General management admin duties such as responding to email enquiries, liaising with other operational teams, providing information to residents. Organize staff rotas on a day-to-day basis to cover sickness and annual leave. Be available to cover cleaning duties for staff sickness and annual holidays. Be prepared to consult with the Second Bursar to make decisions in the absence of the Housekeeping Manager Checking stock levels, placing orders and receiving deliveries of cleaning materials. Coordinate of preparation of guest rooms including weekend cleaning. Be proactive to ensure the department operates smoothly. Log any issues that arise during the managers absence and report to the Housekeeping Manager and the Second Bursar in a clear and comprehensive manner

PERSON DESCRIPTION

Experience of managing/supervising a team Ability to participate actively in the management of a housekeeping team including training and checking team members Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in deep cleaning and quality inspection Ability to act as first point of contact in solving day to day issues as they arise Able to communicate effectively and professionally in English language both written and spoken Able to use computer for basic Word and email Demonstrate a good understanding of customer service delivery Comfortable managing changing priorities and re-allocating work as needed, adapting quickly and efficiently to unexpected changes.

Skills:

Able to follow instructions. Able to work with others as a team and also work independently Knowledge of health and safety requirements as they relate to cleaning and housekeeping Good communication skills, both written and oral Good IT skills (Word, Excel, Email)

Special requirements:

Must be physically fit in order to walk between College properties and clean rooms spread over a number of floors, carry cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners up stairs etc.. Able to work weekends on a rota system.
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Work Location

: Darwin College, Silver Street, Cambridge and surrounding college properties.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 26,385.00 per year

Benefits:

Discounted or free food
Experience:

Professional cleaning: 2 years (required) Housekeeping Supervising: 1 year (required)
Language:

fluent English (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person