Live-out Private Household and Family Manager, Job, Stratford upon Avon
We are looking for an exceptional individual who will become the engine room of a large, private home; someone who thinks ahead, takes ownership, and makes life run smoothly for a principal and family without ever needing to be told what to do.
The right candidate will combine the standards of a five-star hotel manager with the warmth and common sense of someone who genuinely enjoys being part of a family home. You will be proactive, discreet, resourceful, and calm under pressure.
THE ROLE
You will be responsible for the complete day-to-day running of a large rural property. Your responsibilities span household operations, family support, personal errands, and light PA-style tasks. You will manage other service providers, including gardeners, tradespeople, and act as the principal's eyes and ears at the property. There is 1 housekeeper who you will work with.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Household Operations
Maintain the entire residence to an immaculate standard at all times
Perform and oversee all cleaning, laundry, and housekeeping to a high standard
Manage and oversee other household staff including gardener- scheduling, briefing, quality-checking their work
Oversee contractors, maintenance, and tradespeople- arranging access, and ensuring quality
Proactively manage household supplies and consumables
Maintain household budgets and accurate expenditure records
Build and maintain a household operations bible that has schedules, supplier contacts, standards
Day-to-day care of the principal's dog, including feeding, walking, and general welfare, including vet trips and grooming appointments as needed
Rural Estate Management
Coordinate seasonal maintenance, for example boiler servicing, gutter clearing, pool maintenance, grounds care
Act as first point of contact for all property issues in the principal's absence by knowing who to call, making decisions within agreed authority, and keeping the principal informed without unnecessary interruption
Shopping, Provisions & Errands
Manage all grocery shopping and household provisioning- weekly shop plus ad hoc replenishment, always stocked to agreed standards
Reorder household consumables proactively as stocks run low, such as toiletries, cleaning products, candles, kitchen staples
Prescription collection and management
Post, parcels, deliveries- receive, log, and ensure nothing is missed
General errands as required, including clothes shopping
Family Support
Regular school pickups
Prepare simple, nutritious, child-friendly dinners as needed, every other week for a 13 year old girl
Be a calm, consistent, and trusted presence for the family
Handle light family coordination
Entertaining & Seasonal
Prepare the house for guests staying on an ad hoc basis, including guest rooms, bathrooms, fresh flowers, welcome provisions (not many guests so not a constant)
Seasonal house dressing for Christmas, Easter, and other occasions as directed
Coordinate catering, floristry, and event logistics for entertaining at the house as needed (this would be rare)
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
A minimum of 5 years' experience in a private household, estate, or comparable high-standard environment
Demonstrable ability to manage a household single-handedly to an exceptional standard
Comfortable and natural around children- must be warm, responsible, and appropriately boundaried
A self-starter who takes initiative, anticipates needs, and solves problems without waiting to be asked
Exceptional attention to detail
Highly organised, with strong systems thinking- you build processes rather than keeping everything in your head
Absolute discretion as a matter of instinct
Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
Comfortable driving family vehicles including for school pickups
Right to work in the UK (essential)
Flexibility to accommodate the principal's schedule, including occasional evenings and overnight stays when required
Basic cooking skills for simple family meals- nothing elaborate, but confident and reliable
4 days a week - Monday - Thursday - £50,000 flexible