Estate and Housekeeping Manager
Location: Large Stately Home, NE65, Newton, Morpeth , Northumberland
Salary: £35,000 to £40,000 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: Typically Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm with occasional weekends when required
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Homeowners (with coordination from owners Executive Support Team)
Position Overview
A professional, reliable, and experienced Estate and Housekeeping Manager is required to oversee a large family estate in Northumberland.
The family frequently travels abroad, so this role involves significant responsibility in ensuring the smooth running of the home in their absence.
Key duties include the overall management of the house and grounds, managing household maintenance, coordinating with service providers, supervising cleaning and maintenance staff, and assisting with animal care on the estate. This is a position for someone who values confidentiality, has strong organisational skills, and enjoys varied responsibilities.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Daily Housekeeping Duties
- Supervision of Cleaners: Coordinate with a sub-contract cleaning team, ensuring they meet the family’s standards and that the home and associated buildings are kept in a pristine condition.
- Cleaning & Maintenance: Oversee and perform general cleaning tasks to ensure the house is immaculate, including vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and ensuring dishes are cleaned and put away.
- Laundry & Bedding: Regularly change and launder bed linens, manage household laundry, and organize clothing and linens as required.
- Inventory Management: Keep track of household supplies and ensure that food, drinks, and toiletries are replenished, especially before the family returns from trips.
2. Property Management
- General Maintenance: Undertake general maintenance and DIY tasks on the house and grounds.
- Surveying and Contractor Co-ordination: Arrange for routine inspections of the house and grounds to take place, both in person and in combination with trusted partners. Act as the primary point of contact for all suppliers and contractors. Coordinate any maintenance and repair works ensuring work is completed to the highest standard.
- Invoice Management: Ensure all invoices from suppliers, contractors, and service providers are submitted promptly for approval and payment.
- Refurbishment Projects: Assist in overseeing refurbishment and renovation projects, liaising with contractors and suppliers to ensure timelines and budgets are adhered to.
3. Administrative and Personal Assistant Tasks
- Executive Support Coordination: Work closely with the homeowner’s Executive Support Team to coordinate household needs and support the family’s schedule, including arranging travel logistics and property preparations before departures and arrivals.
- Travel Arrangements: Ensure all travel arrangements for the family are accurately coordinated and assist with packing, unpacking, and preparing the home for their return.
- Document Management: Maintain organised records of household expenses, schedules, and inventories, ensuring efficient and organised documentation for household management.
4. Animal and Estate Care
- Animal Welfare Coordination: Oversee care for animals on the estate, including feeding schedules, health checks, inventory and any additional needs.
- Landscaping & Grounds Management: While the gardener handles day-to-day grounds maintenance, ensure that estate grounds and outdoor areas are well-maintained, reporting any issues and coordinating seasonal needs or specific projects.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a similar role, with experience managing large estates or private residences preferred.
- Background Check: A clean criminal record is required, with references attesting to reliability and trustworthiness.
- Driving License: A valid UK driver’s license is essential for managing errands and coordinating with off-site suppliers.
- Confidentiality & Discretion: Absolute discretion is required; the candidate must respect the family’s privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Organisational Skills: Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Self-Motivated: Able to work independently with minimal supervision and take initiative in anticipating the household’s needs.
Additional Requirements and Experience
- Flexibility: Willingness to adjust working hours to accommodate the family’s schedule, particularly when they are in residence.
- Interpersonal Skills: Professional and personable, capable of effectively communicating with a range of service providers and adapting to the needs of a dynamic household.
It would be highly beneficial to have experience working with listed buildings and Defra.
Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Potential for additional benefits, based on role requirements and candidate qualifications.
This role is ideal for a trustworthy and dedicated individual who values high standards, enjoys varied responsibilities, and takes pride in creating a welcoming home environment.
The successful candidate will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of this unique estate, providing the family with peace of mind whether they are at home or abroad.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Schedule:
Work Location: In person