Housekeeping Operations Manager
Harbor Inn Vacation Rentals at Heritage Harbor
Ottawa, IL
About Us
Harbor Inn Vacation Rentals manages a growing portfolio of vacation rental homes within Heritage Harbor, a premier waterfront resort destination in Ottawa, Illinois. In addition to our vacation rental operations, our team supports The Vue, Heritage Harbor's new event venue. We are committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences through high standards, strong teamwork, and operational excellence.
Position Overview
Harbor Inn Vacation Rentals is seeking a highly organized, results-driven Housekeeping Operations Manager to lead the overall performance and success of our housekeeping department.
This position is responsible for overseeing housekeeping operations, developing efficient systems and processes, maintaining quality standards, and leading a team dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences. The ideal candidate is a strong leader who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment and has a passion for operational excellence.
This role focuses on managing people, processes, quality control, and department performance rather than performing daily housekeeping tasks.
Key ResponsibilitiesDepartment Leadership
- Lead the overall performance of the housekeeping department across vacation rental homes and event spaces.
- Establish and maintain cleanliness, presentation, and inspection standards.
- Ensure all homes consistently meet Harbor Inn brand standards and guest expectations.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Staffing & Team Development
- Develop staffing plans based on occupancy levels, seasonal demand, and special events.
- Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and retention efforts.
- Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and development.
- Work closely with the Housekeeping Operations Supervisor to ensure daily execution of department goals.
Operations & Systems Management
- Manage housekeeping workflows and task assignments through Breezeway or similar systems.
- Develop and maintain standardized cleaning procedures, inspection processes, and operational checklists.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and service quality.
- Ensure consistency across all vacation rental properties.
Quality Assurance
- Monitor inspection reports, guest feedback, and online reviews.
- Investigate recurring issues and implement corrective action plans.
- Maintain high standards for cleanliness, presentation, and guest readiness.
- Track department performance and quality metrics.
Inventory & Linen Management
- Oversee inventory levels for linens, terry, amenities, and cleaning supplies.
- Manage ordering processes and inventory controls.
- Develop systems that support efficient linen flow and operational readiness.
Cross-Department Collaboration
- Partner with Reservations to align staffing needs with occupancy forecasts.
- Coordinate with Maintenance to address property issues and preventative planning.
- Support event setup and turnover needs for The Vue event venue.
- Collaborate with Marketing to ensure homes maintain presentation standards for photography and promotional materials.
Qualifications
- Previous experience in housekeeping management, hospitality management, hotel operations, or property management required.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Experience managing schedules, staffing, and operational workflows.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to analyze performance and implement process improvements.
- Experience with Breezeway, property management systems, or task management software preferred.
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and peak operational periods as needed.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Paid time off
- 401(k)
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
- Dynamic and growing hospitality environment
- The opportunity to help shape and lead one of the region's premier vacation rental operations
Schedule
Work Location
Heritage Harbor
Ottawa, Illinois
If you are a motivated hospitality professional who enjoys building strong teams, creating efficient systems, and delivering exceptional guest experiences, we encourage you to apply.
Pay: From $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Housekeeping management: 2 years (Required)
Shift availability:
Work Location: In person
