Executive Housekeeper

About Viking

Viking (NYSE: VIK) stands as a global leader in experiential travel, commanding a fleet exceeding 100 ships that explore 21 rivers, five oceans, and all seven continents. Crafted for intellectually curious travelers with a keen interest in science, history, culture, and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen aptly states that Viking offers experiences “For The Thinking Person™”. Viking proudly boasts over 450 awards, notably being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans for five consecutive years by Condé Nast Traveler in their 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Additionally, Viking is recognized as a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—an unparalleled achievement in the travel industry, as no other company has simultaneously received such esteemed honors from both publications.

A Viking Leadership Role

As a Viking Shipboard Leader, you embody Viking’s core values and leadership philosophy (Hávamál). You are a distinguished hospitality professional who passionately strives for excellence, takes full ownership of your responsibilities, and champions empowering your team with the essential skills, knowledge, and tools for success. You serve as an exemplary role model for the Viking Family, driven by a strong motivation to achieve the company’s overarching goals and objectives. You are characterized by your flexibility, resilience under pressure, unwavering focus, and profound commitment as a team member.

Purpose of Position

The Executive Housekeeper plays a pivotal role in overseeing a diverse array of housekeeping functions, ensuring the seamless daily operation of both the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments. This includes managing a substantial team of approximately 90 – 100 Officers and Crew. The Housekeeping Department is meticulously responsible for maintaining the immaculate cleanliness of Guest staterooms and officers’ cabins, upholding the pristine presentation of the entire ship, its public areas, and back-of-house facilities, as well as managing the ongoing maintenance upkeep of these spaces. Concurrently, the Laundry Department is tasked with the provision of fresh, clean linen to various areas onboard, including Guest Staterooms, food & beverage outlets, and diverse public spaces. It also efficiently manages comprehensive cleaning services for employee uniforms, Guest laundry, and dry-cleaning needs.

Your Responsibilities

• Regularly inspect housekeeping areas and the main laundry facility to guarantee a clean and safe workplace, and ensure safe luggage operations, with a strong emphasis on employee health and fire/chemical safety.
• Monitor the routine maintenance schedules for staterooms, public areas, crew areas, and laundry facilities to ensure optimal conditions.
• Analyze data such as Guest ratings to pinpoint opportunities for enhancing service delivery and maximizing Guest satisfaction.
• Facilitate department meetings, actively participate in various shipboard meetings and inspections as required, and oversee inventory control, including approving purchase orders and requisitions.
• Lead and provide robust support to a multi-cultural team, focusing on maximizing crew satisfaction, productivity, and retention.
• Conduct daily “The Daily Reunion” meetings with Team Leaders to provide constructive feedback, share operational updates, and ensure departmental performance aligns with Viking’s STAR Service Standards.
• Deliver the highest standard of comfort and service to Guests, consistently maintaining impeccable cleanliness and hygiene in all areas, strictly adhering to Viking’s STAR Service Standards and all Public Health Policies; manage service flow efficiently during embarkation/disembarkation, sea day activities, and other events.
• Provide competent leadership to all direct reports, encompassing performance reviews (including discipline as needed), ensuring Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) compliance, facilitating onboard training, managing succession planning, fostering crew communication, and recognizing achievements.
• Ensure the consistent use of appropriate and task-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all duties onboard and always employ correct lifting techniques to prevent injuries.
• Uphold impeccable grooming standards within your team at all times, complying strictly with Viking’s Image and Uniform Standards.
• Safeguard company property, ensuring it is appropriately secured and protected, especially during adverse weather conditions, to prevent unnecessary loss or damage.
• Handle all Human Resources-related issues properly and fairly, in strict accordance with Viking’s Policies, Procedures, and Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrate outstanding flexibility, adapting to varying work times, performing effectively under pressure, and consistently reflecting a positive, can-do attitude and the best image of Viking.
• Become highly knowledgeable and ensure your team is equally knowledgeable about itinerary-related ports of call, shore excursions, and shipboard activities such as events, entertainment, and programs.
• Positively contribute to achieving and exceeding Housekeeping & Laundry Key Performance Indicator (KPI) goals, both quality-related and financial.
• Possess full knowledge of safety & security procedures and operate in strict adherence to all Public Health, Environmental, and Safety & Security Policies; participate in all required onboard training, including safety & security drills, fire prevention, and evacuation exercises.

Your Profile

• A minimum of three years’ experience as an Executive Housekeeper within a premium brand hospitality environment, with specific experience in ship operations involving 500+ staterooms, is mandatory; must have demonstrated experience in leading a multi-cultural team effectively.
• Fluent in English, with excellent oral communication skills to address any information adequately; proficiency in additional languages is considered an advantage.
• Requires a Guest-focused, service-oriented, positive personality, professional appearance, and impeccable hygiene standards; must be a proven team builder with exceptional motivational skills and coaching ability; must exhibit flexibility with proven stress management abilities, be a committed team player, and demonstrate unwavering commitment.
• Outstanding partnering, networking, and relationship-building skills are essential, along along with the ability to deeply understand the needs of front-line leaders and team members.
• Must be proficient in PC-based databases, spreadsheets, and word processing systems.
• Must possess comprehensive and proven knowledge of all Public Health and Sanitary Policies compliance.
• Dry-dock or new build ship launch experience is preferred.

Guidelines and Regulations

• Implement Standard Operating Procedures & STAR Service Standards consistently within the department.
• Ensure appropriate appearance and clothing, adhering strictly to Viking’s Image and Uniform Standards.
• The company retains the right to modify or expand this job description at any point during employment if deemed necessary.

Key skills/competency

• Housekeeping Management
• Laundry Operations
• Guest Experience
• Team Leadership
• Public Health Compliance
• Inventory Control
• Safety & Security Protocols
• Performance Management
• Multi-cultural Team
• Service Standards