job description : House Manager

Department: Household Management

Reports To: Estate Owner or Head of Family

Employment Status: This can vary but is often full-time, especially in larger estates or households. Some positions may require live-in arrangements.

Compensation: The salary for a house manager can range widely based on the size of the estate, the complexity of duties, and the geographic location. Other benefits include housing (for live-in positions), health insurance, and bonuses.


Position Overview

The House Manager, often synonymous with titles like ‘Estate Manager’ or ‘Head of Household’, is pivotal in ensuring the seamless operation and maintenance of a private residence or estate. Tasked with a broad spectrum of responsibilities, from staff supervision to event coordination, the House Manager ensures that the household runs smoothly, catering to the needs and lifestyles of the homeowners.


Key Responsibilities

  1. Staff Management: Hiring, training, scheduling, and overseeing household staff such as maids, chefs, gardeners, and drivers.
  2. Maintenance Oversight: Coordinating and supervising household repairs, renovations, and maintenance. This might include liaising with contractors, landscapers, or technicians.
  3. Event Coordination: Managing logistics for household events, from intimate dinner parties to larger gatherings or receptions.
  4. Budgeting and Inventory: Overseeing household accounts, budgets, and inventory. This includes ensuring timely payment of bills and replenishing necessary household supplies.
  5. Security Management: Implementing and maintaining security protocols might include coordinating with security personnel or services.
  6. Daily Operations: Ensuring the daily operations of the household, from cleaning schedules to meal preparations, are executed flawlessly.
  7. Guest Management: Coordinating guest visits, including room preparations, transportation, and special requests.
  8. Protocol and Etiquette: Ensuring that household staff maintain proper etiquette and protocols fitting for the residence.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related field can be advantageous but isn’t always necessary.
  • Prior experience in household or estate management or the luxury hospitality sector.
  • Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • A keen eye for detail, especially concerning aesthetics, cleanliness, and order.
  • Discretion and respect for privacy, as house managers often work in the personal spaces of high-profile individuals.

Benefits

  • Accommodation: A house manager might be provided with accommodation within the estate or nearby, particularly for live-in positions.
  • Discretionary Bonuses: Depending on the employer, performance-based bonuses might be granted.
  • Vacation Time: Paid time off, although the exact amount can vary based on the household’s needs and peak times.
  • Health Benefits: Health insurance and other benefits might be provided in specific households, especially professionally managed ones.
  • Continued Learning: Opportunities to attend courses or workshops relevant to luxury hospitality, estate management, or other fields.

The role of a House Manager is both demanding and rewarding. Serving as the linchpin of a household or estate, their influence ensures that residents and staff experience a harmonious and high-standard living and working environment. For those with a passion for perfection, a keen sense of management, and an innate ability to handle varied tasks with elegance, the position of a House Manager offers an unparalleled career in the world of luxury household management.