Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for House Manager

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires an experienced and highly professional House Manager to serve as the lead administrator for a private, high-net-worth household. The ideal candidate will be a proactive, detail-oriented leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of property management, staff supervision, and personal service. You will be the central point of contact, ensuring the residence operates to a five-star standard at all times. This position requires ultimate discretion, a hands-on approach, and the ability to anticipate the needs of the principals to create a flawless and serene living environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Executive Personal Assistant in a corporate or private setting
Chief Steward/Stewardess or Purser from the high-end yachting industry
Hotel Manager or Director of Rooms from a luxury 5-star hotel
Experienced Personal Assistant to a HNW individual

Advancement To:

Estate Manager (overseeing multiple properties and larger staff)
Director of Residences or Director of Properties
Chief of Staff for a family office

Lateral Moves:

Private Personal Assistant with expanded responsibilities
Lifestyle Manager or Concierge
Property Manager for a portfolio of private homes

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee the comprehensive day-to-day operations of the private residence, ensuring all aspects of the home are functioning at the highest level of efficiency and excellence.
Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and manage all domestic staff (e.g., housekeepers, chefs, nannies, groundskeepers), fostering a positive and professional team environment.
Develop and implement detailed household manuals, procedures, and standards to ensure consistency and quality of service across all areas of the property.
Manage and maintain the household's master calendar, coordinating family schedules, appointments, social engagements, and travel itineraries with precision.
Act as the primary point of contact for all external vendors, contractors, and service providers, from initial sourcing and negotiation to overseeing project completion and quality control.
Develop, manage, and reconcile the household budget, including handling petty cash, processing invoices, managing expense reports, and providing regular financial summaries to the principals.
Conduct proactive and preventative maintenance schedules for the property's infrastructure, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, security, and AV/IT systems, minimizing downtime and costly repairs.
Plan and execute a wide range of events, from intimate family dinners to large-scale formal parties, managing all logistics including catering, staffing, decor, and guest services.
Maintain a meticulous inventory of all household assets, including fine art, antiques, wine, and luxury goods, and manage the procurement of all household supplies and groceries.
Ensure the family's fleet of vehicles is impeccably maintained, serviced, detailed, and ready for use at all times, coordinating with drivers and service centers.
Oversee all security protocols and systems for the residence, managing security personnel and ensuring the utmost safety and privacy for the principals and their guests.
Coordinate complex domestic and international travel arrangements, including private aviation, accommodations, transportation, and detailed itineraries.
Supervise all housekeeping operations to guarantee the residence is consistently maintained to a pristine, museum-quality standard of cleanliness and organization.
Liaise directly with the family office, executive assistants, and other key personnel to ensure streamlined communication and coordinated efforts.
Provide a high level of personal service to the principals, anticipating their needs and preferences to create a seamless and comfortable living environment.

Secondary Functions

Manage and maintain multiple properties, ensuring each residence is prepared for the principals' arrival and properly secured upon their departure.
Handle special projects as assigned by the principals, such as home renovations, interior design updates, or technology installations, from conception to completion.
Coordinate with personal chefs on menu planning, dietary restrictions, and sourcing of high-quality ingredients for daily meals and special events.
Manage all aspects of guest services, ensuring visitors receive a warm welcome and have a five-star hospitality experience throughout their stay.
Oversee wardrobe management, including organization, inventory, and coordination with specialist cleaners and tailors.
Implement and manage smart home technology systems (e.g., Crestron, Savant) to enhance the comfort and efficiency of the household.
Act as a gatekeeper for the principals, handling communications and ensuring their time and privacy are respected.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Household Management Software: Proficiency in modern household management platforms (e.g., Nines, Asana, Trello) for task, staff, and project tracking.
Financial Acumen: Strong financial management skills, including detailed budgeting, bookkeeping, and experience with software like QuickBooks or similar accounting tools.
Home Systems Expertise: In-depth knowledge of high-end residential systems, including smart home technology (Crestron, Savant), advanced security systems, HVAC, and A/V equipment.
Formal Service & Etiquette: Expertise in formal service standards, table settings, and social etiquette appropriate for high-net-worth environments.
Computer & Tech Literacy: Advanced computer skills, including mastery of the Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and various communication platforms.
Valid Driver's License: Must possess a valid driver's license with a clean and safe driving record.

Soft Skills

Ultimate Discretion: An innate ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and operate with absolute discretion and integrity.
Leadership & Team Management: Exceptional leadership skills with proven experience motivating, training, and managing a diverse team of domestic staff.
Organizational Prowess: Superior organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills coupled with a meticulous attention to every detail.
Proactive Problem-Solving: A resourceful and intuitive mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs, preempt issues, and think ten steps ahead.
Polished Communication: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, capable of liaising with grace and professionalism with principals, staff, and high-level vendors.
Emotional Intelligence: A high degree of emotional intelligence, resilience, and a calm, professional demeanor, especially when navigating high-pressure situations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
Certifications from accredited domestic service schools (e.g., The Starkey Institute, The International Butler Academy) are highly advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hospitality Management
Business Administration
Culinary Arts

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

7-10+ years of progressive experience in private service or luxury hospitality.

Preferred:

A minimum of 5 years in a direct House Manager role within a large private residence (10,000 sq ft or larger).
Verifiable experience working for high-net-worth (HNW) or ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) principals.
Demonstrable experience managing a full-time domestic staff of 5 or more.
Must have a long-term, verifiable track record and excellent references.