Domestic Services Manager

Also known as:

Bursar, Domestic
Hospital Manager - Domestic Services
Hotel Manager - Domestic Services
Institutional Manager - Domestic Services

Introduction

Domestic services managers oversee the cleaning and maintenance of large residences. They work in institutions such as universities, hospitals, nursing homes or hotels. A lot of their time is spent organising and supervising staff.

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Work Activities

Domestic services managers make sure that large residences such as hospitals, universities and colleges, residential homes, schools and hotels are clean and well maintained. The title of the job varies depending on where it takes place. They are known as housekeepers in the hotel industry and domestic bursars in university halls of residence. The duties are very similar, despite the different titles.

Domestic services managers must understand the equipment and techniques that are used to do the cleaning, even though they don't do it themselves. They are responsible for the materials and equipment used, and must keep up to date with new technology.

Many domestic services managers work in hospitals and organise teams of workers who keep the inside of the building clean and in good condition. For obvious reasons, hygiene and the control of pests are important factors in hospitals. Other duties may include:
• organising laundry services
• arranging repairs
• organising and maintaining furnishings and interior decorations
• allocating living accommodation in hospitals to medical and nursing staff
• high risk cleaning, for example operating theatres.

Domestic services managers organise work rotas, and train, supervise and check the work of the domestic staff. They are usually responsible for taking on new staff, so need to be confident in personnel and industrial relations.

A lot of time is spent on administration and managing budgets. Domestic services managers often work within a tight budget, and have to find the most cost-effective way of organising staff and providing an efficient service.

Managers sometimes live in their place of work, so they can be on call at all times.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must be up to the physically demanding aspects of the job. Much of the day is spent walking around, monitoring work and training staff. You need to have good organisation skills. And you must be capable of dealing with sudden crises calmly and efficiently.

It is also important to be a good team builder. You need to win the confidence of the staff; many of whom are low paid. You must keep the staff motivated and make sure that they understand the need for high standards.

You need IT skills for administration and good financial skills to manage budgets.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for domestic services managers vary, depending on the type and size of operation they work for.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Salaries are in the range of £13,000 - £16,000 a year, rising to around £21,000 - £28,000. Higher earners can make around £30,000 a year.

The basic working week for domestic service managers is around 40 hours. However, long hours, shift, weekend and public holiday work is common.

Domestic services managers work throughout the UK in hotels, hospitals, universities and colleges, residential homes and schools. In some places, a general manager fulfils the duties of domestic services manager and catering manager.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained in the hotel industry, for example, in room service or as an attendant or receptionist.

If you are working in the industry or have gained relevant skills, you can attend college part-time to study for qualifications such as the HNC in Hospitality Management.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

The London College UCK offers an HNC/HND in Hospitality Management, by distance learning.

Candidates can apply to the Savoy Educational Trust for financial support for study of courses related to the hospitality industry.

• 11% of people in occupations such as domestic services management work part-time.
• 10% have flexible hours.

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