The Director of Housekeeping leads and inspires a large team of housekeeping professionals to deliver the highest levels of cleanliness, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of housekeeping operations, the Director of Housekeeping ensures that guest rooms, public spaces, and back-of-house areas consistently meet Fairmont standards of luxury and excellence. The role demands strategic thinking, exceptional people leadership, strong budget management, and a commitment to continuous improvement and team development.
Job Duties Include:
Strategic Leadership & Planning
• Develop, implement, and monitor short- and long-term strategies for the housekeeping department aligned with CLL's brand and service objectives
• Lead all deep cleaning cycles and project planning related to guest rooms and public areas.
• Partner with leadership across departments to ensure alignment of operations and guest expectations.
• Establish clear departmental goals, KPIs, and productivity measures.
• Oversee daily shift operations and ensure adherence to Fairmont’s housekeeping standards and procedures.
• Maintain a proactive inspection program for guestrooms, public areas, and back-of-house zones.
• Conduct and participate in departmental stand-up meetings to communicate goals and performance updates.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Coordinate with Front Office and Engineering to maintain room readiness and efficiency.
• Guarantee effective scheduling, vacation planning, and labor optimization based on business needs.
• Manage and control inventory levels of supplies, amenities, and equipment to ensure readiness without excess.
• Approve ordering and budgeting of cleaning materials, guestroom supplies, and operational tools.
• Oversee maintenance of housekeeping equipment, ensuring safety and functionality.
• Develop, manage, and optimize the departmental operating budget.
• Analyze labor, expenses, and productivity to ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining luxury service standards.
• Track and report on housekeeping-related metrics such as cost per occupied room (CPOR) and department contribution to GOP.
• Ensure a flawless guest experience through a relentless focus on cleanliness, readiness, and personalized touches.
• Respond to guest concerns promptly and professionally, and implement corrective actions.
• Use guest satisfaction metrics and feedback tools (such as VOG, LQA, Forbs audits…) to drive performance and improvement initiatives.
• Lead the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of skilled and motivated housekeeping professionals.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels across all shifts, aligned with forecasted occupancy and business demands.
• Provide onboarding, ongoing training, and leadership development for all levels of the housekeeping team.
• Foster a learning culture focused on professional growth, service excellence, and team empowerment.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability at all levels.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and coach leaders on motivating and managing their teams.
• Address employee performance and conduct reviews in a fair and consistent manner, aligned with P&C policies.
• Champion a culture of care, inclusivity, and collaboration across the department.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and recognition efforts.
• Actively solicit employee feedback and promote open-door communication.
• Participate in Long-term asset care and lifecycle planning (FF&E, soft goods, carpets, mattresses, drapery), Participation in CAPEX planning and renovations
• Monitor, Waste reduction and chemical management strategy, in Partnership with engineering on energy and water reduction
• Enhance training on Biohazard and contamination protocols Emergency response planning (flood, fire, evacuation support) as per the hotel health and safety protocols
Core Competencies
• Luxury Service Orientation – Upholds Fairmont’s reputation by delivering exceptional service experiences.
• Strategic Planning – Understands operational complexity and implements scalable, sustainable systems.
• People Leadership – Builds strong teams and empowers leaders to succeed.
• Financial Acumen – Translates operational activity into impactful financial results.
• Communication – Clear, professional, and motivational communication with all stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving – Handles challenges with a solutions-first mindset, remaining calm under pressure.