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A house manager in London or beyond is responsible for the smooth running of a private household, overseeing the planning, maintenance, staffing and any other administrative requirements. As such, a private house manager job is a senior position within private support, requiring high-level operations and management experience, as well as a discreet and flexible approach.
As experts in private household recruitment, Tiger Private can help you find your dream private household manager job. We recruit for house managers in London, the UK and internationally.
Apply to our latest household manager jobs below, or check out our full list on our Jobs page.
A household manager’s job description will vary based on a principal’s needs, the number of properties within their portfolio and number of staff employed.
If you are looking for a private house manager job, you should expect your core responsibilities to include supervising staff and ensuring they maintain an impeccable standard of service; managing house finances and budget; liaising with third party suppliers and contractors; planning and co-ordinating events; and in some cases, sourcing additional properties.
As part of your supervisory duties, a house manager is also expected to be in charge of recruitment, retention, performance management and training and development of all domestic staff. Some of the roles under your supervision might include housekeepers, chauffeurs, chefs, butlers, nannies and laundresses.
In some cases, you may also travel with your principal, or act in an advisory role to seasonal staff working in the principal’s alternative residence such as a country estate, ski chalet or villa.
The versatility and flexibility of the house manager position means you are often required to take on the responsibilities of other household roles on an ad-hoc basis, including laundry, cooking, cleaning and general maintenance.
With these responsibilities in mind, the qualities of a great house manager are wide-ranging. A private house manager job requires exceptional communication and organisational skills, as well as fantastic leadership abilities.
A successful house manager will also be reliable, trustworthy and discreet and have an outstanding work ethic. They will be well-presented and lead by example at all times, acting as a role model for household staff.
If you are looking to embark on a career as a house manager, there are a number of pathways. You may choose to start in luxury hospitality and build up extensive experience (at least five years) in this area before transferring to private households. Alternatively, you may choose to work as a butler for three or more years, slowly taking on more responsibility and working up to a house manager job. Finally, you can also work as a housekeeper but will need to work in the industry for at least five years before looking to develop your skills in a household manager job.
A house manager role is a senior position within a private household, so the average salary reflects this. Most house managers can expect a salary between £45,000-£65,000, dependent on the household and your experience.