A superb opportunity for an experienced Head Housekeeper to work at a traditional, beautiful rural shooting lodge, in Inverness-shire.
The housekeeper will ensure that the Lodge is maintained to the highest standards. The Lodge should be always kept in a state of preparation for occupancy, allowing for family/guests to arrive at short notice. It is, therefore, essential that the standard of cleaning and general maintenance of the Lodge is impeccable.
The Housekeeper role is to manage, supervise, train and work alongside housekeeping staff, thereby ensuring correct standards and practices are maintained. She should develop a well-ordered routine for daily tasks during family visits, and an in-depth program to include specific tasks when the house is unoccupied. She will keep both herself and the housekeeping team busy and motivated through both extremely busy times and during long spells of non-occupation. This is a practical, hands-on position.
Accommodation is provided:Superb 3 bedroom lodge, with loch views & All bills found
Hours of Work:Off peak: Monday to Friday 08:30 to 16:30
Peak times: Whatever hours are required to fulfil the needs of the position, which will include weekends and bank holidays if guests are in residence.
Entry Requirements
* Must have a minimum of 5 years of private service
* Must be willing to wear a uniform
* Have excellent checkable references
* Driver essential
Roles & Responsibilities
* Daily opening procedure of the estate and lodges,
* Tidy obvious debris from the lower ground and ground floor Reception Rooms,
* Clean fireplaces in reception rooms and lay the fires, this may be undertaken by the maintenance team during the season when Lodge staff are employed elsewhere in the house,
* Whilst opening up check light bulbs. Replace as necessary or call Estate Maintenance if further assistance is required,
* Cleaning and vacuuming of the stairs, and landings usually twice weekly, or more frequently if necessary,
* Care of fine furniture and fabrics with the appropriate products. Wood and marble furniture to be polished as and when required to keep in pristine condition, and
* Ensure that the House Laundry Room is always clean and well organised.
General Responsibilities (during family visits):
* Uniform to be always worn whilst on duty when family and guests are present,
* Cleaning, vacuuming and laying the fires within the Lodge. Estate Maintenance to supply the firewood to be distributed within the Lodge accordingly,
* Laundry, Flower Room, Gun Room, Boot Room, Bowling Alley and Jacuzzi/Spa (and associated areas) to be always kept clean and tidy,
* Ordering and arranging flowers as required.
* Keep an eye on the flower arrangements and houseplants,
* Prepare all the required bedrooms and bathrooms for the family and guests with the correct linen and towels, soaps, bathrobes, water, etc.
* Laundering as follows:
o Family and guest laundry.
o In the absence of a Ladys Maid, lingerie is to be washed by hand as requested.
o Bed and table linen.
o Take clothes/linen to the dry cleaners as requested.
o Items for dry cleaning to be noted in the Laundry Book.
o Bed linen should be changed at least every four days or more frequently when necessary, and on changeover of guests.
* In the absence of a Ladys Maid, to pack and unpack luggage for the female Principal and female,
* Turn down procedure when family/guests in residence,
* When family in residence bottled water to be placed in suites and replenished as and when required,
* Dog area must be sanitized daily when in residence, and blankets and towels washed as necessary,
* When in residence, it is expected that the dog feeding area is left clean,
* The Lodge & Lettings Manager will coordinate logistics for flight arrival/departures for family, guests and staff, with the Head Housekeeper and Maintenance Manager,
* Recruitment of seasonal housekeeping and permanent housekeeping staff.
* Driving for family, guests, shopping and other Estate duties as required,
* Assist the family and guests with any requirements they have or appoint an appropriate member of the housekeeping team,
* Catering for small parties of family/guests as required. If numbers are too large a Chef will be brought in. Assisting the Chef as required,
* Preparation of a Piece table during season, lunches and picnics as required,
* Shopping as required. Supplies and store control in the Lodge. Maintaining adequate stores of all household consumables and food products. Consultation with visiting Chefs to ensure they have the appropriate supplies when they arrive,
* Table service kitchen assistant and helping the Butler as required,
* Maintain a program of thorough, regular, Deep Cleaning throughout the Lodge,
* Establish efficient and functional rotas for the housekeeping team for both visit and non-visit times,
* Maintain a program of thorough, regular, Deep Cleaning throughout the Lodge,
* Polish the wooden floors with the help of the Housemaid(s) and Butler (if present) and
* Organising and managing private Lodge and Estate functions, events and shoot lunches in association with Estate Management and relevant staff.
General Responsibilities (between visits):
* Maintain a program of thorough, regular, Deep Cleaning throughout the Lodge,
* Polish the wooden floors with the help of the Housemaid(s) and Butler (if present),
* Cleaning of all furniture, including but not limited to soft furnishings, antique and other furniture, rugs and carpets (arranging specialist cleaning as and when appropriate,
* The cleaning of the inside of the windows including their thresholds,
* Windows to be opened twice a week to air rooms,
* Instruct the window cleaner to come as and when required to do the exterior of the Lodge,
* All taps in all rooms should be turned on and run and toilets flushed once a week,
* Update inventories of bed linen, table linen and bathroom linen,
* Clean fridges and freezers,
* Administration of household activities e.g., staff holidays etc., etc. All staff must complete a holiday request form which must be sent to the Factor. Manage household petty cash and accounts,
* Ensure the cleaning products and toiletry and cosmetic storerooms are sufficiently stocked. Stock control record to be updated monthly,
* Wind up the clocks (every three days),
* Close communication with the Factor, Lodge & Lettings Manager, and Estate Maintenance regarding any maintenance and repairs required,
* General upkeep of the interior of the Chapel, including the cleaning and care of priests vestments and altar accessories (Church plate, linen, silver, etc). Ensure a sufficient supply of candles is maintained,
* Overall care of staff accommodation and kitchen area below the Housekeepers Flat,
* Overall care of staff accommodation, which may be unoccupied as permanent staff accommodation, but which may be used for temporary staff or contractors on the estate, and
* Security: Report any incident details to the Factor and Lodge & Lettings Manager.
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