A Luxury Household Staffing & Consulting Agency
Austin | San Antonio | Texas Hill Country
Luxury Household Staffing & Recruitment
At EMS, we understand the unique needs of the homes and families across Austin, San Antonio, and Texas Hill Country. The professionals who work in your household are more than just employees—they play an essential role in upholding the high standards of living you’ve worked tirelessly to achieve. Trusting in their skills and having confidence in their integrity are critical to building a successful working relationship.
Our team brings decades of hands-on experience in Private Service to identify your specific staffing needs and find the ideal candidate for your home. We start by listening closely to our clients as they express their requirements, noting preferences, and identifying the soft skills your professional should demonstrate. We are working diligently to find someone who will fit seamlessly with your family’s unique personalities and come equipped with the hard skills needed to fulfill your needs.
Once our engagement letter is signed and the retainer fee is received, we begin the thorough and detailed process of gathering essential information to craft a job description that attracts the right candidates and sets clear expectations for success. After you’ve approved the job description, we source candidates from Austin, San Antonio, and the Texas Hill Country area whom we believe will be an excellent match for your household. If we do not find the right candidate for you locally, we will discuss expanding the search to include candidates who wish to live in Austin, San Antonio, or in the Texas Hill Country.
Each candidate is presented through our secure portal, complete with their resume and either their Principal Chosen Questions answers or their EMS Skills Profile, depending on which package you have chosen.
Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff is very experienced, savvy, and resourceful in all aspects of household and staff management.
Property Managers
Managing the grounds of large estates requires special knowledge and insight. The Caretaker or Property Manager is the one who oversees the maintenance and upkeep of your property down to your taste, standards, and vision.
Family Assistants
Similar to that of a Personal Assistant, the Family Assistant handles all the household duties that the family needs help with.
Private Chauffeur/Drivers
A Private Chauffeur/Driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of their principals, members of the family and guests alike.
Laundress
When you add a professional Laundress to your home, your household not only enjoys clean and organized laundry, but every linen and soft surface is professionally handled as well.
Director of Residences
Directors of Residences, Directors of Estates, Estate Directors, and/or the Chief of Staff are similar in nature. They tend to have a more administrative role within an estate that has or is establishing a Single Family Office (SFO).
Household Managers
A Household Manager is responsible for handling the daily operations of a household and responding to the homeowner’s needs.
Private Chefs
A Private Chef often possesses a formal culinary education, has been an apprentice in fine dining establishments, and/or works exclusively for a private family or individual.
Housekeepers
Although housekeeping duties vary between households, a Housekeeper’s primary role is to handle all the cleaning and organization in the home. They are also tasked with preparing meals, running errands and accompanying vendors to their work areas.
Estate Managers
The position of an Estate Manager is more administrative in nature. This individual is the main point of contact between the Principal and the service environments they own, as well as, the staff that run them.
Domestic Couples
Domestic Couples occupy a unique place in the constellation of private service, providing each service required to run a household and maintain a home.
Butlers
Originally, Butlers were primarily limited to the Food & Beverage department of the home. Today, Butlers wear far more hats and bring a sense of elegance to the residence.
Housemen
A Houseman is a jack-of-all-trades position capable of filling service gaps inside or outside the home.
Service Beyond Placement
Household Staffing & Recruitment
Where we cultivate positive relationships to ensure happiness and success on all fronts! Clarity, Transparency, Honesty, and Mutual Respect are the cornerstones of a successful professional relationship and should be cultivated
Coaching & Mentorship
Where we provide your Private Service Professional with the guidance they need to develop strong professional relationships and the tools and support to cultivate your luxury and create an information legacy for your home and staff.
Hogan Assessments
Harnessing Hogan's decades of empirical data to help Principals and Family Offices make more informed hiring decisions and help Private Service Professional leaders become better leaders by understanding how their staff and employers may see them.
Household Staffing & Recruitment
Where we cultivate positive relationships to ensure happiness and success on all fronts! Clarity, Transparency, Honesty, and Mutual Respect are the cornerstones of a successful professional relationship and should be cultivated
Coaching & Mentorship Programs
Where we provide your Private Service Professional with the guidance they need to develop strong professional relationships and the tools and support to cultivate your luxury and create an information legacy for your home and staff.
Hogan Assessments
Harnessing Hogan's decades of empirical data to help Principals and Family Offices make more informed hiring decisions and help Private Service Professional leaders become better leaders by understanding how their staff and employers may see them.
The Keys Class
The Keys Class is a comprehensive 3.5-hour online course designed to equip our candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their new positions. This specialized training focuses on non-tangilable topics such as respecting clients' privacy, effective communication, handling delicate situations, and maintaining the utmost professionalism at all times.
The Essentials Course
Created in 2011 this is the only course of it's kind in Private Service. Teaching current and future Private Service Professionals some of the most critical areas for success in our industry. Culminating in all the resources you need to draft an opperational Household Manual for the residence.
Blog & Networking Directory
Where we discuss the topics that we get asked on a regular basis and topics we see are the most pressing to our industry. Sometimes ruffling feathers. But when we ruffle feathers, we help with molting, which encourages growth.
Growth = Success!
The Keys Class
The Keys Class is a comprehensive 3.5-hour online course designed to equip our candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their new positions. This specialized training covers a wide range of topics, including understanding the nuances of private spaces, respecting clients' privacy, effective communication, handling delicate situations, and maintaining the utmost professionalism at all times.
The Essentials Course
Upon completion of this course, you will have all the tools you need to develop procedures to protect your Principal’s lifestyle and privacy and a complete guide for collecting the information you will need to set up an operational system for any size home, estate, or service environment. You will also have one of the most valuable assets in our industry: a network of fellow Private Service Professionals that will serve you well in your future endeavors.
Blog & Networking Directory
Where we discuss the topics that we get asked on a regular basis and topics we see are the most pressing to our industry. Sometimes ruffling feathers. But when we ruffle feathers, we help with molting, which encourages growth. Growth = Success!
Our Pledge to the Principal
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to being open, honest, and genuinely supportive to each of our clients. We go beyond mere transactions, focusing on building meaningful connections and delivering personalized value through our wealth of expertise. Our aim isn’t just to provide services; it’s to become your trusted partner in achieving lasting success. We navigate challenges together, ensuring your staff’s retention and long-term prosperity. Maintaining the utmost confidentiality and professionalism is not just a commitment but a reflection of our dedication to providing you with an exceptional, personalized experience that earns and preserves your trust.
Here’s What We’ll Do For You:
- Conduct thorough and equal screening for every candidate.
- Offer sincere and candid advice on all aspects of our engagement.
- Safeguard your identities and information until mutual agreement to connect with the candidate.
- Extend support and act as a reliable sounding board before, during, and after the placement process.
Our Packages
All candidates placed by EMS are required to take The Keys to Success When Working in a Private Home.
Quick Hire
Ideal for front-line staff such as Housekeepers & Groundskeepers- Position Consultation
- Job Description Drafting
- Candidate Resume
- Brief 1-page summary of our initial conversations
- Background & Driving Records Check
- Work History & References Check
- 90-day replacement guarantee
The Right Hire
Ideal for Management and Executive Candidates- Position Consultation
- Job Description Drafting
- Candidate Resume
- Principal Identified Screening Questions
- Background and Driving Records Check & Behavior Analysis Interview*
- Work History & References Check
- Extended Replacement Option
- *Behavior Analysis Interview is conducted on the final candidate
The Diligent Hire
For those who want to look beyond the resume- Position Consultation
- Job Description Drafting
- Candidate Resume
- EMS Skills Profile
- Background Check with Behavior Analysis Interview*
- Work History & References*
- Six Month Free Replacement Guarantee
- * Checks can be performed on two candidates
Hogan Assessments can be added to Quick & Right hire packages for an extra fee.
All packages include:
- As many consultations as are needed to draft an accurate Job Description and ensure a successful placement.
- Background screening of all candidates invited to the residence.
- Work History and References Check, Social Media Screening on all candidates who are in serious consideration for the position.
- A 90-day replacement guarantee.
Thank you for your interest in speaking with us.
We conduct all meetings via Zoom. A Zoom Meeting ID will be automatically assigned to our meeting. If you would prefer a phone call, please note it in the discussion topics field.
A Balanced Approach
At EMS, we believe that a long-term professional relationship is founded on transparency, clarity, and mutual respect. We ensure that our clients follow all labor and employment laws and provide resources to offer competitive compensations packages. We also ensure that the Professionals we represent are precisely that, Professionals.
Happy Principals = Happy Professionals = Happy Principals = Happy EMS!
Experienced Guidance
With over 30 years of Hospitality & Private Service experience and multicultural perspective, we recognize that the people who work in your home are an integral part of your life and play a crucial role in maintaining the high standards of living that you have worked diligently for. Confidence in your employee's skills and trust in their integrity is a critical starting point.
The Process
At EMS we charge a $2500 retainer fee* which is credited to your final placement invoice of 20% of the candidate's annual salary.
Candidates resumes are accompanied by their "EMS Skills Profile," providing deeper insight into their capabilities as a Professional. We also believe that support after placement is critical in ensuring success. We are there for our fellow professionals, both the ones that pay us and those that get paid.
EMS Coaching & Mentorship
After years of finding joy in helping Private Service Professionals succeed in such a dynamic industry with a constantly shifting landscape, we are excited to announce our new offerings to support and develop your career. The following programs offer you a personalized roadmap with a curated selection of invaluable tools and resources to empower your seamless entry into the realm of Private Service!
Manual Development & Mentorship Program
Private Service Career Entry Program
Custom Coaching by the Session
For Principals, Family Offices, and Hiring Managers
who are looking to hire the RIGHT staff member whose motives and values align with their company or household culture.
For Professionals and Executives
looking to become better leaders and make more than just a move, but the RIGHT move!
Hogan Assessments is EEOC compliant and does not include criteria in their assessments that could discriminate in any way. For a full explanation of the guidelines set forth by the EEOC, please Click Here.
The Keys Class
The Keys Class is a comprehensive 3.5-hour online course designed to equip professionals in the luxury residence industry with essential knowledge and skills. Participants will gain insights on avoiding common mistakes, effective communication, understanding the principal's preferences, and personalized accommodation. Additionally, they will receive a complimentary one-on-one session with Peter Van Ryder via Zoom for personalized guidance. Enroll your staff today to empower them for success in their roles and enhance your satisfaction as principals.
We strongly believe that this information will significantly increase the chances of success for professionals. In fact, we require all our placement candidates to complete this course before starting any position obtained through EMS. Moreover, numerous prominent agencies also mandate this class for their candidates. We highly recommend that you consider implementing this requirement as well.
We offer discounts to Principals and Family Offices looking to integrate this course into your orientation process and agencies who wish to include it as part of their placement process to improve the placement success rate.
Our Blog
Where we discuss the common topics that are being discussed in the industry. Whether it be online on one of the many professional networking forums or are questions that have repeatedly been brought up in one of our many conversations with Private Service Professionals, our Principals, and the Agencies that serve the community.
Events Calendar
Where we have listed all the Private Services events that have been submitted to us. We also scan the events on the major platforms to help bring your options into one location.
Why? Because positive networking and professional development are among the many criteria for cultivating your career.
Network Directory
There are few better places to find a semblance of sanity and identify what you should learn next than with your fellow professionals.
This is a collection of Networking & Association resources for Private Service Professionals. U.S. and international based groups that bring professionals together to benefit the industry.
DFW & North Texas: (214) 605-7286 | Austin & San Antonio: (512) 969-8280 | Houston & Gulf Coast: (713) 258-9800
Email the Owner: Info@HNWSolutions.com | To Submit Your Resume Click Here
Many of our clients reside in the following areas, and we stand ready for your call.
Austin
West Lake Hills | Rollingwood | Barton Creek | Tarrytown | Davenport Ranch | Bee Cave | Westlake | Lost Creek | Rob Roy | Steiner Ranch
San Antonio
Alamo Heights | The Dominion | Stone Oak | Olmos Park | Shavano Park | Terrell Hills | Hill Country Village | Fair Oaks Ranch | Hollywood Park | Castle Hills
Texas Hill Country
Boerne | Fredericksburg | Dripping Springs | Kerrville | Wimberley | Comfort | Johnson City | Blanco | Spicewood | Horseshoe Bay