Executive Housekeeper

Viking was founded in 1997 and has grown to be the leading small ship travel company, offering destination-focused river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests The Thinking Person’s Cruise® in contrast to mainstream cruises.

With more than 250 awards to its name, the company currently operates a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades since their launch from industry experts and travelers alike. For the second year in a row, Viking was voted the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking was also named #1 for both Rivers and Oceans by Travel + Leisure in the 2022 World’s Best Awards making it the only cruise line to reach the top of its categories in both publications in the same year.

Our major dock is in New Orleans, with other docking locations along the Mississippi. All travel expenses are covered by Viking.

Role Overview

As part of our Mississippi Housekeeping team, your job as the Executive Housekeeper is to oversee a variety of housekeeping functions to ensure the smooth running of the daily operations of the Housekeeping Department and guests satisfaction. As other leadership positions, you will be evaluated based on both guest satisfaction, measurement reports, financial results and crew turnover

You will be reporting to the Associate General Manager
You will be expected to work on a 12/4 rotation (12 weeks on board and 4 weeks off on vacation). Please note that rotation lenghts vary based on staffing and operational needs onboard Viking Mississippi

Role Expectations

Regularly inspect housekeeping areas and the main laundry facility to ensure a clean and safe workplace and safe luggage operation with emphasis on employee health and fire/chemical safety
Monitor the routine maintenance of staterooms, public areas, crew areas and laundry facilities, as well as Guest ratings to identify opportunities to improve service and Guest satisfaction. Positively contribute to achieving/succeeding Housekeeping & Laundry KPI goals (quality & financial).
Provide competent leadership to all direct reports. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Conducting performance reviews, including discipline as needed, succession planning, crew communication and recognition.
Provide the highest level of comfort and service to Guests and consistently maintain an impeccable standard of cleanliness and hygiene in all areas, as per Viking’s STAR Service Standards and all Public Health Policies
Manage service according to Guest flow, embarkation & disembarkation, sea day activities & other activities
Promotes ongoing training of Housekeeping staff in company standards, cleaning processes, use of machinery & equipment, chemical handling etc
Uphold impeccable grooming standards at all times by complying with Viking’s Image and Uniform Standards
Demonstrate outstanding flexibility: able to work at different times of the day, under pressure and always reflect a positive can-do attitude and the best image of Viking
You will be expected to consistently arrive on time and be prepared for work
Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned at leaders’ discretion based on operational needs

About you

5+ years' experience as an Executive Housekeeper, within a 5 Star hospitality environment, and experience with ship operations of 500+ staterooms required; must have experience in leading a multi-cultural team
Outstanding partnering, networking and reationship skills are required, must have the ability to understand the needs of front-line leaders
Guest-focused, service-oriented, positive personality, professional appearance and impeccable hygiene standards (excellent knowledge of all public health policies)
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, plus Mobile Devices, Point of Sales system (MXP database.)

Mandatory requirements & at will employment:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (green card) to work onboard the ship, as required by federal regulations
Ability to satisfactorily pass a pre-employment drug test. Viking Mississippi is a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace
Must be 21+ years old, physically fit and in good health to meet the demands of an intense shipboard role; must be able to carry heavy items and stand, kneel, and bend for prolonged periods of time
Viking Cruises is an At-Will Employer. As such your employment with Viking is a voluntary one and is subject to termination with or without cause or notice, at any time by you or Viking. Nothing in this document or in any oral or written statement shall be interpreted to conflict with or limit the right to terminate employment at will

FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) Status: Seamen Exempt

Viking Cruises

The Viking Story

More than 20 years ago, Viking® set the standard for what river cruising should be, and today we are the leader that all others follow. In 2015, we took the same small ship, destination-focused experience to the seas and reinvented ocean cruising. Over the years Viking has won numerous ocean and river cruise line awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure, Travel Weekly and more.

Viking is a strong and dynamic company—with a growing fleet of more than 80 river ships and seven ocean vessels cruising over 100 itineraries around the world. In 2022, our guests will experience all the comfort and elegance of our award-winning fleet with two expedition ships built specifically to explore the world's most remote destinations. We will also expand our operations to the U.S. with the addition of a new Mississippi River ship.

Join the Viking Family

If you have always dreamed of combining your love of travel with the ability to grow your career, consider a position at Viking. We are the world’s leading small ship cruise line, and there is tremendous potential to advance your career with us. As part of our crew, when your ship is docked at the many destinations we visit, you can explore ashore and refresh during your free time.

Additionally, with Viking’s award-winning service and thoughtfully curated onboard experiences, our guests are typically very satisfied. This, combined with Viking’s gratuity guidelines, means that you can expect to be well rewarded as an employee on board a Viking ship.