Domestic Couple

A couple who manages, cares for and often lives at an estate, with responsibilities equally divided between the pair.

The Role of a Domestic Couple

A Domestic Couple is a partner/spouse pair of experienced and well-rounded domestic professionals who oversee and maintain both the interior and exterior of a home.

Many families and individuals who employ household staff prefer to hire an estate couple team to manage their residence or estate. Domestic Couples were very popular through the turn of the century, and have become increasingly popular again. In many situations, if there is a male spouse, he will generally care for the outside of the property (groundskeeping, repairs, driving, etc.) as well as interior maintenance and larger projects, while a female partner handles the interior of the house (housekeeping, cooking, scheduling/event planning, etc.).

Areas that require two people, like formal dining service or heavy lift projects will require the couple to work together. It is ultimately up to the principal(s) and the couple how duties are divided. Some of the benefits of a Domestic Couple opposed to a House or Estate Manager is that head of household positions typically require a great deal of flexibility from the employee, since their presence at the residence is required throughout the day/week/year.

A Domestic Couple will generally have a much easier time prioritizing and balancing an estate’s needs with their personal responsibilities, because both partners are employed by their client. They work as a team and will be aligned with your expectations for the residence/property. With a Domestic Couple team, you will likely manage fewer people, have reduced accommodation expenses (if you prefer staff to live on-site), and have far less traffic at your property compared to other staffing models.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

A Domestic Couple will generally possess a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree – frequently in the areas of business, communication, human resources, finance/accounting, real estate/construction management, culinary services, hotel/restaurant/property management or a related field.

Domestic Couple teams tend to be comprised of mature adults who have left traditional corporate and business careers for a more rewarding career in private service. They take great pleasure in serving others and take pride in their work. Experienced Domestic Couples will have 5+ years’ experience with household operations, property management or hospitality leadership in a private estate, family office or luxury hotel/resort setting.

Note: Domestic Couples do not necessarily need prior experience as a Domestic Couple. In fact, some of the best Domestic Couples come entirely from outside of the industry, and are simply hard-working, resourceful and handy individuals who are looking for a change in lifestyle. Similarly, because this role deals more with general (compared to specific) experience, recent graduates or those who are otherwise at the beginning (or a transition stage) of their career often make exceptional Domestic Couples.

SKILLS

Residence/property management experience, including managing staff, planning events, overseeing construction/maintenance and familiarity with specialties such as housekeeping, senior/child/pet care, food preparation or service, etc.
Proven leadership within a house/similar setting
Financial literacy, including creating and managing a budget and tracking expenses
Project management skills: seeing complex projects through, consulting with others for their expertise and quickly learning, implementing and disseminating new information
Creative mindset, strong research skills and a natural ability to identify opportunity to solve problems
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders in a high-paced environment
Technological proficiency and familiarity with commonly used smart home systems (e.g., HVAC, home automation, security systems, etc.) as well as office/administration software (Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, PDF-editing, etc.)

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Professional certifications/licenses are not a requirement to be a Domestic Couple, but an employer may prefer candidates with any of the following (or similar) certifications:

Household Management Specialist
Certified Household Manager
Certified Property Manager (CPM)
White Glove Service training

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for a Domestic Couple vary greatly depending on the size and number of residences owned, the size of household or support staff, etc., but common duties include:

Hiring, training and supervising support staff
General housekeeping, with special care for antiques, collectibles and fine furnishings
Menu planning, shopping, preparing and serving both formal and informal meals
Laundry, ironing, wardrobe care, dry cleaning inventory, packing and unpacking, storing seasonal clothes
Coordinating entertainment and guest needs, as well as greeting and assisting guests
Vehicle maintenance, driving and other transportation needs
Coordinating and monitoring vendors
Household errands, personal shopping,
Assisting with entertaining/special events
Preparing additional properties for occupancy
Household accounting, record keeping, petty cash accounts, invoicing, negotiating contracts, etc.
Extensive multi-home maintenance for yearly rotating chores and other property needs
Coordinating between principal(s) and contractors on any construction, renovation or moving projects
Grounds maintenance, including landscaping, gardening, lawn and tree care
Basic handyman skills to maintain all structures on the property
Large and small equipment maintenance
Spa/pool maintenance
Answering the door/phones and representing residents in a professional manner at all times
Sorting and reviewing mail; answering correspondence as needed
Maintaining an inventory of all household supplies and assets
Child or pet care if applicable

ATTRIBUTES

Characteristics of a successful Domestic Couple include:

Leadership

Above all, a skilled Domestic Couple will possess exceptional and natural leadership qualities, with the ability to inspire and motivate those around them to perform at their highest capacities. They should have excellent work ethic and should be a team that brings others together – maintaining a positive and professional working environment, with a demeanor that is charismatic, dynamic and persuasive.

Organizational skills

A Domestic Couple should be skilled in planning, organizing and executing projects on behalf of the principal(s). They should be able to realize a principal’s vision for their residence/estate through setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes, as well as handling multiple projects simultaneously, while meeting important deadlines.

Interpersonal communication

A Domestic Couple should possess outstanding interpersonal skills and communication abilities to interact effectively with principal(s), subordinate staff and guests, vendors, etc. They should have a high degree of emotional intelligence, being able to listen actively, communicate clearly and concisely, and resolve conflicts constructively.

Responsibility and integrity

A Domestic Couple should be responsible and accountable for his or her actions and decisions. Although a Domestic Couple will often be in charge of other staff, they must be capable of managing themselves and should take full ownership at all times. They should demonstrate integrity and honesty in all aspects of their work, adhering to ethical standards and principles and protecting the confidentiality and privacy of the estate and its principal(s) at all times.

COMPENSATION

Although a Domestic Couple will be paid individually, a client’s offer to a Domestic Couple should reflect what they will be paid if they are employed as a team, and not given as individual offers.

Total compensation for a Domestic Couple generally ranges from $150 – 300K, however high-level Domestic Couples with specialized skills or the ability to manage an extensive team may exceed this range. Factors that command a higher salary include specific experience, education or training requirements, an ability to work outside of normal hours, flexibility to travel frequently between other homes or live-in at the primary residence, fluency in languages other than English and the ability to manage large-scale construction/renovation projects. Components of a Domestic Couple’s compensation may include:

Base salary

A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. An Domestic Couple’s base salary varies depending on the size and location of the estate they will manage as well as the experience and qualifications of the Domestic Couple.

Discretionary bonus

Discretionary bonuses are variable amounts that are paid annually based on an individual’s performance. The percentage of compensation paid as a salary versus a bonus is entirely up to the employer, but for an Domestic Couple, a discretionary bonus can range anywhere from 10 – 25% of total compensation. The most common reason for a higher bonus percentage (relative to salary) is to tie an employee’s compensation to their overall performance. It also allows an employer to set strategic goals during the employee’s annual performance evaluation, with the pay out of their bonus linked to the completion of stated goals.

STANDARD BENEFITS

A Domestic Couple typically has access to the following corporate-style benefits (or receive a stipend to obtain such benefits themselves):

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings account

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Paid time off

PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Expenses incurred when travelling or conducting business on behalf of the house. Expenses include transportation, accommodations, meals and other costs related to business travel and may be reimbursed or covered by an allowance or budget.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered at the house
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Casual work attire
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

A Domestic Couple generally reports:

Directly to the client(s)
To a designated individual within the family office (Director of Operations or Administration, Chief of Staff or Managing Director)

A Domestic Couple is responsible for managing any staff or vendors associated with the residence or estate in which they manage. Examples include:

Executive Housekeepers, Housekeepers and Laundresses
Personal Assistants, Family Assistants or Executive Personal Assistants
Nannies, Tutors, Senior Companions, Private Chefs, Personal Trainers, Security
Summer House Staff
Drivers/Chauffeurs

Have Questions?

A Dynamic Duo

A Domestic Couple offers a complete household solution, handling a wide range of responsibilities as a seamless, highly efficient team. Whether managing property maintenance, cooking, housekeeping, or personal assistance, they bring versatility and expertise to your home. Their coordinated approach ensures that every detail is handled with care.

Need a team that can handle it all? Let us place a Domestic Couple who will maintain your home to the highest standards, and introduce harmony and efficiency to your home life.

“Domestic Couples work as a seamless team, bringing efficiency, skill, and coordination to your household. Their combined expertise ensures that every detail is taken care of.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

A Well-Coordinated Team for Your Home

Why You Should Consider a Domestic Couple

A Domestic Couple brings a unique, two-person solution to household management, providing comprehensive support tailored to your needs. Their teamwork ensures seamless operations. A Domestic Couple can help: