Director of Housekeeping - InterContinental Abu Dhabi

Role Overview

Director of Housekeeping at InterContinental Abu Dhabi, a luxury five-star hotel operated by IHG Hotels and Resorts, located in Abu Dhabi.

Company Overview

InterContinental Abu Dhabi is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality brand committed to welcoming everyone and creating inclusive teams. The company promotes a culture of trust, support, and acceptance, celebrating difference and encouraging colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Role Purpose

Lead the Housekeeping function to deliver exceptional guest experiences through the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, comfort, and service. Provide strategic and operational leadership that empowers colleagues to exceed InterContinental brand standards and create a positive, collaborative departmental culture.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Standards

• Lead the overall Housekeeping operation, including guest rooms, public areas, laundry and related areas.
• Ensure consistently high standards of cleanliness, presentation and maintenance in line with InterContinental brand standards.
• Oversee room inspections, preventative maintenance coordination and quality assurance standards.
• Manage suppliers, linen, uniforms, amenities and housekeeping equipment effectively.

Team Leadership & Development

• Inspire, develop and engage the Housekeeping team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
• Support recruitment, training, performance management and succession planning within the department.
• Lead by example and create a positive culture built around collaboration, accountability and genuine care.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage departmental budgets, payroll, productivity, inventory and operating expenses while maintaining service excellence.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, hygiene and sustainability requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement through guest feedback, quality audits and operational performance.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Work closely with Front Office, Engineering and other departments to ensure smooth daily hotel operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience in a senior Housekeeping leadership role, ideally as a Director of Housekeeping or Executive Housekeeper within a luxury or five-star hotel.
• Strong knowledge of luxury housekeeping operations, quality standards and guest expectations.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing a large, multicultural team.
• Previous experience with an international luxury hotel brand is advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including budgeting, forecasting, productivity and cost management.
• Excellent communication, organization and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on leadership style with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments in a fast-paced hotel environment.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary that rewards hard work.
• Wide range of benefits designed to support work-life balance.
• Impressive room discounts available to staff.
• Access to some of the best training in the business.
• myWellbeing framework committed to supporting health, lifestyle, and workplace wellbeing.