Assistant Chief Housekeeper for Azamara Cruises

V.Ships Leisure is looking for an Assistant Chief Housekeeper on behalf of Azamara Cruises.
The Assistant Chief Housekeeper works in conjunction with the Chief Housekeeper to coordinate, schedule, and supervise the day-to-day activities of the stateroom, public areas, Promenade Deck & Thalasso Deck of housekeeping function.

Key Responsibilities

• Directs, coaches, supports, supervises, and evaluates (in conjunction with the Chief housekeeper the performance of all direct reports.
• Manages the assignment of duties, responsibilities, and workstations to his/her staff. 
• Observes and evaluates staff and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service are met. Presents overtime needs to Chief Housekeeper for final approval. 
• Prepares Butler schedule and assigns duties and stations in conjunction with the Chief Housekeeper. 
• Ensures that all housekeeping personnel under his/her supervision report to their assignment on time and properly groomed and dressed according to Azamara Cruises’ standards of service and style. This includes a clean uniform and proper shoes, nametag, and any other uniform-related items. Monitors housekeeping team activities so that all suites and staterooms assigned to his/her team are prepared before embarkation with all the amenities and informational material required, such as fruit basket, flowers, etc. according to Azamara standards, and that these items are replenished throughout the voyage. Ensures that all daily services, e.g., food and beverage orders, afternoon tea and canapés, suite turndown during evening hours, are provided according to the established standards of service and style. 
• During embarkation, makes certain that all Butlers, Stateroom Attendants go to the suite/stateroom guests assigned to their area and introduce themselves and explain the services they will be offering during the cruise, as well as provide the guests with their contact number. 
• Explains to the suite/stateroom guests all amenities offered according to company policy. 
• Shows and explains the use of lifejackets, safety deposit box and Jacuzzi. 
• Explains the buffet times and locations. 
• Offers assistance with unpacking luggage. 
• Explains all available services (revenue) on board the vessel. 
• Assist guest with reservations in Spa, Restaurants, shore excursion etc. 
• Ensures that the Butlers and all housekeeping personnel provide highly personalized assistance to guests according to the Amaze Program standards of service and style. 
• Ensures that Butlers (Suite) offers assistance to each suite guest, such as booking shore excursions, making reservations for dinner and wine seminars, booking spa and salon treatments, ordering flowers, and making arrangements, tailor service, packing and unpacking guest’s luggage, offer in suite meal services such as breakfast, lunch, teatime, dinner etc. 
• Conducts random checks to ensure that all services requested by guests through their assigned Butlers are followed and scheduled as requested. 
• Confirms that each Butler in his/her team responds to guest complaints in a professional, positive, and friendly manner by showing concern and listening actively and taking ownership of guest concerns by following up and ensuring complaints are resolved to the guest’s satisfaction. Assists his/her team with inquiries regarding lost luggage, folio charges, request for statement, etc. 
• Collaborates with the Chief Housekeeper, to review the requirements of the day’s schedule, guest requirements, guest comments and other related details. 
• Meets with staff daily to review changes and/or revisions to programming based on itinerary, weather conditions, demographics, etc. 
• Responds to guest concerns in a considerate, professional, and positive manner by showing empathy and listening actively. Takes ownership of guest concerns, by following-up and ensuring complaints are resolved to the guest’s satisfaction. 
• Is aware of, and/or acquires the necessary knowledge to comply with the ship’s standard operation, to assist guests and crew members with inquiries. 
• Responsible for reviewing the housekeeping crewmembers' timecards and forwarding them to the Chief Housekeeper. 
• Responsible to visit VIP Staterooms and Top Suites once during the cruise and introduce themselves to guests in order they are satisfied with the service rendered. 
• Conducts appraisals for the Direct Report Team. 
• Responsible for the pantries and lockers in their respective area and report to maintenance for quick follow up to stay in compliance with USPH regulations. 
• Conducts monthly Inventories in the department, documentation of all housekeeping logs as per SQM guidelines, Crunchtime order of Biweekly, Weekly, Monthly and Flower orders. 
• Always monitors United States Public Health (USPH) and Outbreak Prevention Plan (OPP) procedures for sanitation and cleanliness and monitors workstations and staff for adherence to those procedures. Enforces and follows USPH cleaning procedures for all assigned areas and related equipment. 
• Attends meetings, training activities, courses and all other work-related activities as required. 
• Shipboard employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management. 
• To ensure that all staff follow and comply with the USPH and Safety procedures.  
• Ensures that all housekeeping team attend meetings, training activities, courses and all other work-related activities as required. 
• Responsible for effectively managing the time and attendance of their own and direct reports’ work and rest hours in accord with MLC regulations and company procedures. 

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Two years housekeeping supervisory experience in an upscale hotel, resort or cruise line (shipboard experience preferred). 
• Diploma or Degree in Hotel management for 1 to 3 years required. 
• Minimum two years previous cleaning experience, preferably in an upscale hotel, resort or cruise line (shipboard experience preferred) 
• Knowledge of proper cleaning techniques, requirements and use of equipment. 
• Knowledge of proper chemical handling. 
• Ability to utilize customer service skills by exercising authority and discretion to satisfy guests in a manner consistent with Pillars of Safety, Service and Style Standards. 
• Strong management skills in a multicultural and dynamic environment. 
• Strong communication, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal skills. 
• Superior customer service, teambuilding, and conflict resolution skills. 
• Knowledge of the principles and processes for providing personalized services including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, alternative delivery systems, and guest satisfaction evaluation techniques. 
• Strong planning, coaching, organizing, staffing, controlling, and evaluating skills. 
• Ability to work positively and cooperatively in a diverse team environment to meet overall established timeframes for the entire housekeeping operation.  
• Ability to communicate tactfully with department heads, coworkers, and other shipboard crewmembers to resolve problems and negotiate resolutions. 
• Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the human resources function. 
• Ability to manage the international staff in a positive and productive manner by motivating, developing, and managing employees as they work. Ability to utilize and administer the disciplinary action process through coaching and counseling to 
• improve performance or terminate employment. 
• Working knowledge of computers, Internet access, and the ability to navigate within a variety software packages such as Excel, Word, or related programs. 
• Completion of high school or basic education equivalency required. 

About Azamara

Since 2010, Azamara® has delivered a unique way to travel that we call Destination Immersion® experiences. Our intimate, club-like ships can fit in smaller ports bigger vessels can’t visit, and as a crew member, you'll experience destinations that aren’t even on the map for other cruises. With smaller ports, longer stays, and more overnights than other cruise lines, Azamara makes it easier than ever to be immersed in the heart of local cultures in the ports we visit.