Job opening for a Household Manager at Estate Management Solutions.

Household Manager

A Household Manager is responsible for handling the daily operations of a household and responding to the homeowner's needs.  Unlike an Estate Manager, the House Manager is more hands-on in nature and is most commonly responsible for only one service environment. Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills are common traits among successful House Managers. In addition, hiring a House Manager adds hours of freedom to your schedule and confidence that your household is run responsibly and according to your vision.  Household Managers will generally spend 70% of their time on active work and staff management and 30% of their time in the office.

~ A good House Manager knows how to create luxury in any environment. ~

 

Household Manager Responsibilities Can Include:

      • Ability to seamlessly fit into a harmonious work environment.
      • Strong communicator, both written and verbal.
      • High level of discretion, loyalty, integrity & honesty.
      • Highly organized & an excellent eye for detail.
      • The lost art of Household Manual creation.  (for more assistance on this, please visit our Essentials Class page by Clicking Here)
      • Supervising and managing the residence and property on a daily and weekly basis.
      • Vendor Management & Supervision - Setting appointments for house repairs and maintenance.
      • Vendor & Employee contract review and file/record keeping.
      • Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Semi-Annual, and Annual property & household inspections.
      • Create task sheets, checklists, preference profiles, and how-to documents to help with the efficiency of luxury service delivery.
      • Manage front-line staff of one service environment.
      • Handle simple house maintenance like changing air filters, light bulbs, diffusers, etc.
      • Being hands-on with all administrative duties, including creating Household Operational budgets, managing household schedules, and approving invoices.
      • Household Inventory Management, including establishing the inventory and restocking things as needed.
      • Ensuring the service environment they are responsible for is maintained to the highest cleanliness and operational standards.
      • Run errands as needed (e.g., dry cleaning, shoe repairs/shine, groceries, pick up prescriptions, etc.)
      • Laundry upkeep.
      • Lite Housekeeping, such as daily kitchen cleaning and organizing.
      • Cooking or meal prep as needed.
      • Petcare as needed.
      • Holiday decorations.

Top 20 Hard Skills

      • Budgeting and Financial Management - Creating and managing household budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring financial resources are allocated efficiently.
      • Household Accounting - Maintaining financial records, managing bills and invoices, performing bookkeeping tasks, and preparing financial reports.
      • Scheduling and Calendar Management - Coordinating appointments, events, family activities, and staff schedules to ensure smooth daily operations.
      • Staff Management - Hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating household staff, including cleaners, cooks, gardeners, and personal assistants.
      • Project Management - Planning and overseeing household projects such as renovations, redecorations, and major maintenance tasks from inception to completion.
      • Event Planning and Coordination - Organizing and managing household events like dinner parties, celebrations, and family gatherings, including logistics and vendor coordination.
      • Culinary Coordination - Planning menus, managing dietary restrictions, coordinating with chefs or catering services, and ensuring high-quality meal preparation.
      • Home Maintenance Knowledge - Understanding basic home repairs, scheduling regular maintenance, and knowing when to hire professional services for specialized tasks.
      • Technical Proficiency - Utilizing household management software, communication tools, and home automation systems to streamline household operations.
      • Inventory Management - Tracking and managing household supplies, groceries, cleaning products, and other inventory items to ensure availability and reduce waste.
      • Vendor and Supplier Management - Sourcing, negotiating, and maintaining relationships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers to secure the best services and prices.
      • Travel Coordination - Planning and organizing travel arrangements for household members, including bookings, itineraries, and accommodations.
      • Legal and Regulatory Knowledge - Understanding relevant laws, contracts, and compliance requirements related to household operations, employment, and property management.
      • Health and Safety Compliance - Ensuring the household adheres to health and safety regulations, including maintaining first aid kits and emergency preparedness plans.
      • Laundry and Wardrobe Management - Overseeing laundry services, garment care, wardrobe organization, and coordinating with professional cleaners or tailors as needed.
      • Time Management - Efficiently managing time and prioritizing tasks to ensure all household operations run smoothly and deadlines are met.
      • Documentation and Record-Keeping - Maintaining accurate records of household activities, inventories, financial transactions, and staff performance.
      • Home Technology Management - Managing home electronics, security systems, smart home devices, and troubleshooting technical issues to ensure all technology functions properly.
      • Cleaning and Sanitation Standards - Implementing proper cleaning techniques, maintaining high sanitation standards, and ensuring hygiene practices are followed throughout the household.
      • Transportation Management - Coordinating household transportation needs, including vehicle maintenance schedules, managing chauffeured services, and arranging for vehicle repairs.

Top 10 Soft Skills:

      • Communication: Ability to convey information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Active listening to understand and anticipate the needs of principals and colleagues.
      • Relationship Building: Developing trust and rapport with principals, household staff, and vendors. Maintaining positive and professional relationships across all levels of the household.
      • Leadership: Leading and managing household staff with confidence and integrity. Offering guidance, support, and development opportunities to team members.
      • Adaptability and Flexibility: Comfort with frequent changes in schedules, tasks, and locations. Willingness to take on a variety of tasks and adjust to the household's evolving needs.
      • Problem-Solving: Proactively identifying issues and finding effective solutions. Navigating and mediating conflicts that may arise within the household.
      • Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one's emotions and those of others. Responding appropriately to the moods and preferences of principals and staff.
      • Discretion and Integrity: Maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with care. Demonstrating honesty, loyalty, and ethical behavior in all interactions.
      • Service-Oriented Attitude: Putting the needs of the principals and their family first. Willingness to "roll up their sleeves" and assist with any task, no matter how small.
      • Organizational Skills: Keeping track of household schedules, inventories, and records. Managing time effectively and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently.
      • Attention to Detail: Ensuring high standards of cleanliness, presentation, and service.
** While a Private Service Professional can handle most if not all of the above tasks, it is important to remember that every task takes time, and Employers should listen to their staff when they express how much time something takes to accomplish their duties. Your staff is dedicated to you, and "No" is not a part of their dictionary.  If they ask if something should take priority over another task or ask to delegate the task to maintain efficiency, they are really saying that their plate is full and additional tasks might prevent them from doing other duties.