Cleaning Manager

Job summary

Overgate Hospice is an independent charity with a mission to ensure that patients and those close to them live with the best possible quality of life. This is enabled by provision of the highest standard of compassionate and evidence-based specialist palliative and end of life care for adults in Calderdale who have active, progressive life limiting illness.

However, the current constraints of our ageing facilities are making this more difficult than ever. Our ambitious redevelopment plans to modernise and expand our existing facilities will transform the environment in which we care for our patients, as well as meaning we can care for more people who need us. In April 2024, Overgate Hospice launched a capital campaign to raise the funds needed to make these transformational plans become a reality.

Main duties of the job

The Cleaning Manager is responsible for leading, developing and managing the cleaning Team to ensure the Hospice provides a safe, clean, welcoming and compliant environment for patients, families, staff, volunteers and visitors.

The post holder will provide visible leadership across housekeeping services, ensuring that high standards of cleanliness, infection prevention, environmental hygiene and customer service are maintained throughout the Hospice. The role combines operational management with hands-on support, staff development, service improvement, and effective resource management.

About us

Overgate Hospice is an independent charity with a mission to ensure that patients and those close to them live with the best possible quality of life. This is enabled by provision of the highest standard of compassionate and evidence-based specialist palliative and end of life care for adults in Calderdale who have active, progressive life limiting illness.

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Job Purpose

The Cleaning Manager is responsible for leading, developing and managing the cleaning Team to ensure the Hospice provides a safe, clean, welcoming and compliant environment for patients, families, staff, volunteers and visitors.

The post holder will provide visible leadership across housekeeping services, ensuring that high standards of cleanliness, infection prevention, environmental hygiene and customer service are maintained throughout the Hospice. The role combines operational management with hands-on support, staff development, service improvement, and effective resource management.

The Cleaning Manager will work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical departments to support the delivery of outstanding patient care.

Key Responsibilities

The Cleaning Manager is required to develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Cleaning Supervisor and Cleaning Team Members to ensure the smooth delivery of cleaning services and the achievement of agreed standards. The post holder will work closely with Nursing Staff, In-Patient Unit Staff, Day Hospice Staff, and colleagues across both Clinical and Non-Clinical Departments to support a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, and staff. The role also involves regular interaction with volunteers and visitors, requiring a professional, courteous, and customer-focused approach that reflects the values and standards of the Hospice.

Leadership and People Management

The Cleaning Manager will lead and support the Cleaning Team to deliver a high-quality service across the Hospice. The post holder will oversee staff recruitment, induction, supervision, performance management and development, while promoting a positive, professional and supportive team culture. Responsibilities include conducting continuous conversations and team meetings, managing staffing levels through effective rota and absence management, and supporting the development and involvement of volunteers within the housekeeping service.

Operational Management

The Cleaning Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of cleaning services across all Hospice areas, excluding catering and kitchen services, ensuring high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and environmental presentation are maintained at all times. The post holder will oversee cleaning schedules, monitor the quality and effectiveness of the service, maintain appropriate stock levels of cleaning products, consumables and equipment, and implement improvements where required. The role will also involve providing practical support and undertaking housekeeping duties as necessary to ensure service continuity during busy periods or staff shortages.

Quality and Infection Prevention

The Cleaning Manager will ensure cleaning services support the Hospice's infection prevention and control standards by working closely with clinical teams to maintain safe, clean and hygienic environments for patients, visitors and staff. The post holder will promote best practice in housekeeping and environmental hygiene, ensure compliance with cleaning schedules, safe systems of work and organisational policies, and support the investigation and resolution of housekeeping-related incidents, concerns and complaints to maintain high standards of quality and safety throughout the Hospice.

Health, Safety and Compliance

The Cleaning Manager will ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation, COSHH regulations and Hospice policies, promoting a safe working environment for staff, volunteers, patients and visitors. The post holder will support the development and review of risk assessments, ensure team members receive appropriate training and guidance on safe working practices, and maintain records relating to housekeeping compliance, waste management and environmental safety. The role will also support organisational standards for infection prevention, waste disposal and environmental compliance, helping to maintain a safe and effective Hospice environment.

Contractor and Supplier Management

The Cleaning Manager will manage effective relationships with contractors and suppliers associated with housekeeping services, ensuring high standards of service delivery are maintained. The post holder will monitor the performance of external providers, including laundry, waste management and specialist cleaning contractors, ensuring services are delivered safely and in accordance with Hospice policies, procedures and contractual requirements. Any significant service concerns, compliance issues or operational risks will be escalated to the Head of Estates.

Financial and Resource Management

The Cleaning Manager will be responsible for managing delegated cleaning budgets effectively and ensuring resources are used efficiently and cost-effectively. The post holder will monitor expenditure, support budget planning and forecasting activities, and authorise purchases, invoices and staffing documentation in accordance with Hospice financial procedures. The role will also identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, control costs and deliver value for money while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Service Improvement and Governance

The Cleaning Manager will contribute to the continuous development and improvement of Cleaning services, ensuring they remain effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of the Hospice. The post holder will participate in audits, inspections, reviews and quality improvement initiatives, supporting organisational governance processes through monitoring, reporting and the implementation of action plans where required. Using performance data, audit outcomes and stakeholder feedback, the Cleaning Manager will identify opportunities to enhance service delivery and patient experience, while actively contributing to relevant meetings and supporting the achievement of organisational objectives.

The Cleaning Manager will provide operational leadership for cleaning services, acting as the primary point of contact for all cleaning related matters. The post holder will liaise with suppliers and contractors to ensure effective service delivery, coordinate responses to urgent operational issues, and ensure that any significant risks, incidents or concerns are appropriately escalated to senior managers. This responsibility includes maintaining service continuity and ensuring cleaning operations continue to meet the required standards of quality, safety and compliance.

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Person Specification

Essential

GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent.

Experience of cleaning within a healthcare, hospice, residential care or clinical environment.

Experience of leading or supervising a team.

Good understanding of infection prevention and control principles.

Knowledge of COSHH and Health and Safety requirements.

Experience of staff supervision, performance management and staff development.

Good organisational and time management skills.

Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.

Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.

Desirable

Experience of managing cleaning services within a hospice or NHS environment.

Experience of budget monitoring and resource management.

Relevant Health and Safety qualification or training.

Experience of managing volunteers.

Experience of contractor management.

Knowledge of healthcare cleanliness standards and quality assurance processes.

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General Responsibilities

The cleaning Manager will maintain patient, staff and organisational confidentiality at all times and ensure compliance with all Hospice policies, procedures and mandatory training requirements. The post holder will promote equality, diversity, inclusion and dignity in all aspects of their work, while supporting the Hospice's quality, governance and continuous improvement programmes. They will work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and external partners, contribute positively to fundraising activities and the promotion of the Hospice, and undertake any other duties commensurate with the responsibilities and grading of the role.

Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk

All Hospice staff are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well-being of children and adults at risk. Familiarisation with and adherence to the Hospice safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.

Valuing Diversity and Equality

All employees should carry out their duties in accordance with the values and principles of valuing diversity and equity of provision. It is the responsibility of all employees to support the Hospice vision of promoting a positive attitude to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of the Hospices Equal Opportunities Policy.

Person specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of cleaning within a healthcare, hospice, residential care or clinical environment.
• Experience of leading or supervising a team.
• Good understanding of infection prevention and control principles.
• Knowledge of COSHH and Health and Safety requirements.
• Experience of staff supervision, performance management and staff development.

Desirable

• Experience of managing cleaning services within a hospice or NHS environment.
• Experience of budget monitoring and resource management.
• Relevant Health and Safety qualification or training.
• Experience of managing volunteers.
• Experience of contractor management.

Personal Specification

Essential

• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.

Desirable

• Knowledge of healthcare cleanliness standards and quality assurance processes.

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent.