Duty Manager (Nights) in Basingstoke, England at SARR Group

About the role

This is a hands-on, senior overnight role at Crowne Plaza Basingstoke and not a desk job. As Duty Manager (Nights), you'll take full operational control of the hotel during your shift — leading the team, managing room readiness, responding to incidents, and ensuring the property runs safely and to standard from the moment the day team leaves until the morning team arrives.

A critical element of this role is your responsibility as the certified Fire Controller on shift. You'll lead any emergency response, conduct nightly fire walks, and maintain safety compliance throughout the property. You'll also be a qualified First Aider on duty.

This role has a genuine hands-on dimension. You'll work alongside our General Assistants and housekeeping team where operational demand requires — moving linen, supporting room turnarounds, assisting with furniture and equipment, and keeping the property in order throughout the night. Physical fitness and a willingness to roll up your sleeves are essential.

What you'll be doing

Operations & Leadership

• Taking full accountability for hotel operations during the night shift

• Supervising General Assistants and any overnight housekeeping staff

• Conducting nightly audits, inspections, and handover logs

• Ensuring room availability is maintained and no room remains out of order beyond required timeframes

• Managing payroll costs during your shift and ensuring efficient use of resource

Fire & Safety (Fire Controller)

• Leading fire evacuations and drills; serving as the certified Fire Controller on duty

• Carrying out nightly fire walks and safety inspections

• Ensuring all fire exits, alarm systems, and emergency equipment are compliant and operational

• Completing SAEKER compliance tasks including incident logs, safety checks, and inspections

Housekeeping & Facilities Support

• Overseeing housekeeping operations and room readiness as a core part of the role

• Physically supporting the team when required — moving linen cages, stripping beds, clearing public areas, repositioning furniture

• Conducting property walkarounds to identify and log maintenance issues

• Liaising with contractors and security providers operating overnight

• Ensuring no maintenance issue is merely acknowledged — following through on resolution

Guest Services & Incident Management

• Acting as the primary contact for all guest queries, complaints, and emergencies during the night

• Taking control of incidents with calm, decisive action and full documentation in SAEKER

• Preparing detailed handover notes for the incoming morning management team

What we're looking for

• Proven experience in a hotel operational or supervisory role, ideally including night shifts

• Current or willing to obtain: Fire Marshal / Fire Controller certification and First Aid at Work (mandatory — we will support the right candidate)

• Physically fit and comfortable with manual handling duties as a regular part of the role

• Strong working knowledge of fire safety, H&S compliance, and emergency procedures

• Confident making independent decisions and managing incidents without escalation support overnight

• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with hotel systems (Flexkeeping or similar) is beneficial

• Excellent written communication for reporting, handovers, and SAEKER documentation

• A hands-on, lead-by-example approach — this role requires you to work with the team, not just above it
  Licence/Certification: Drivers License (preferred)
  Work authorisation: United Kingdom (preferred)
  Work Location: In person