Executive Housekeeper
- Overview
The Role of an Executive Housekeeper
The size of a house and its housekeeping duties determine whether this is a housekeeping/management position or another hybrid position (such as child/pet care, personal assistance, cooking or administrative work).
If the role includes managing others, the Executive Housekeeper will be responsible for overseeing other housekeepers, laundresses and vendors (e.g. carpet cleaners, dry cleaners, etc.) and handling employment matters such as scheduling and training new staff, in addition to cleaning him/herself.
If there are not management requirements for this role, the Executive Housekeeper primarily handle cleaning, but will take a leadership/ownership role, often picking up other non-housekeeping duties. The duties of an Executive Housekeeper depend entirely on the principal’s needs and the skills and experience of the Executive Housekeeper. Routine duties include cleaning floors, furniture, clothes/linens, china/crystal, antiques, collectibles and valuables, deep cleaning and maintaining all interior spaces of a home, organizing personal belongings and handling seasonal wardrobe changes/holiday decorations.
- The Role Defined
Job Description
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
Formal education is not required for an Executive Housekeeper position, although many Executive Housekeepers will have completed their secondary education and/or a formal training program as part of their professional experience.
Executive Housekeepers are often normal housekeeping staff that exhibit leadership qualities, or prove to be skilled in other areas such as cooking, childcare or personal assistance. In fact, many of our clients simply use the title of Executive Housekeeper to promote an existing Housekeeper. We typically look for 5+ years’ experience for Executive Housekeepers, with prior experience either as an Executive Housekeeper or as a staff housekeeper at a luxury hotel, resort or similar setting.
SKILLS
- Proven leadership and/or management experience – typically in a housekeeping or similar household, hotel or resort setting
- Extensive residential cleaning experience, including expertise in caring for items requiring special care (china, silver, crystal, antiques, art, etc.)
- Technological proficiency and familiarity with commonly used smart home systems (e.g., HVAC, home automation, security systems, etc.)
- Depending on a principal(s) needs, specific skills may be required in areas like child care, pet care, family or personal assistance, shopping for supplies, food preparation or service, etc.
CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Certifications are not required to be an Executive Housekeeper, but formal training or extensive experience working with private clients is a must. Many Executive Housekeepers will have completed formal cleaning training at luxury hotels, resorts or through white glove service training programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
An Executive Housekeeper’s responsibilities vary based on whether other housekeeping staff are present, but common duties include:
- Organizing, supervising and coordinating the work of other housekeeping personnel on a day-to-day basis. Depending on other estate management personnel in place, this may or may not include employment matters such as scheduling, discussing compensation and resolving issues for other staff.
- Establishing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOP) for cleaning and to initiate new procedures to increase the efficiency of labor or product-use
- Developing and implementing list of tasks to be performed daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually
- Ensuring proper communication with other housekeepers by conducting regular meetings
- Ensuring excellence in housekeeping sanitation, safety, comfort, and aesthetics for all residents and guests
- Drawing attention to maintenance issues throughout the residence
- Responsibility for the organization of closets, dressers and other storage areas
- Providing a budget to house/estate manager or principal(s) and forecasting future budget needs
ATTRIBUTES
Characteristics of a successful Executive Housekeeper include:
Leadership
Above all, a skilled Executive Housekeeper will possess natural leadership qualities, with the ability to inspire and motivate other staff to perform at their highest capacity. They should have excellent work ethic and should be someone who brings others together, with a positive and professional attitude.
Organizational/project management skills
An Executive Housekeeper should be skilled in planning, organizing and maintaining a regular schedule for all cleaning and maintenance related to the interior of a residence. He or she should be able to realize a principal’s expectations for the cleanliness of their residence/estate, by setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes, as well as handling multiple projects simultaneously.
“Nothing is too small” attitude
It’s unlikely that someone would rise to the position of Executive Housekeeper without demonstrating that they are willing to work hard and ensure that their client is well cared for at all times. A great Executive Housekeeper will understand that they play a critical role on the estate management team and that no task, no matter how big or small, is below them. He or she should be proactive, adaptable, professional and always striving to deliver high-quality results with enthusiasm and efficiency.
Team player
An Executive Housekeeper should be a team player who builds meaningful relationships and brings out the best in other members of their staff, and who understands that a well-functioning team is critical to the overall success of the estate. The person in this role should be supportive, cooperative, flexible and respectful of others’ opinions and perspectives. He or she should also be willing to share information, knowledge and feedback, and also be willing to seek help when needed.
Responsibility and integrity
An Executive Housekeeper should be responsible and accountable for his or her actions and decisions. In situations where an Executive Housekeeper reports directly to a principal, he or she must be capable of fully managing themselves, taking ownership of their role at all times. They should always demonstrate integrity and honesty in their work, adhering to ethical standards and protecting the confidentiality and privacy of the estate and its principal(s) at all times.
COMPENSATION
Total compensation for an Executive Housekeeper ranges from $70 – 110K. Factors that command a higher salary include specific experience, education or training requirements, an ability to work/be on call outside of normal work hours, flexibility to travel or live-in and fluency in languages other than English. Components of an Executive Housekeeper’s compensation may include:
Base salary
Fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. An Executive Housekeeper’s base salary varies depending on the size, location and number of residences they are responsible for, size of the staff they are managing, and the experience/qualifications of the Executive Housekeeper.
Discretionary Bonus
A variable amount that is paid annually, based on an individual’s performance. An Executive Housekeeper’s bonus is ultimately tied to the principal’s overall satisfaction and may fluctuate from year to year.
Living Expenses
A principal may prefer that their Executive Housekeeper lives in with them, either at their residence, at an adjoining accommodation on their property or within certain proximity of the residence. Reasons for this include the need for this person to be available off-hours, the importance of proximity to the residence or principal due to various duties associated with the role or because the residence is located in a remote area. If a principal requires any of these living situations of their Executive Housekeeper, housing and/or moving expenses are expected in the employee’s compensation package.
STANDARD BENEFITS
An Executive Housekeeper will typically have 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
An Executive Housekeeper generally reports to:
- A House or Estate Manager (if present)
- Directly to the principal(s)
- A designated individual within the family office (Director of Operations or Administration, Chief of Staff or Managing Director)
An Executive Housekeeper is responsible for managing any subordinate housekeeping staff that may work at the residence(s) they oversee, including other Housekeepers, Laundresses or Summer House Staff.
A Well-Managed Home
An Executive Housekeeper ensures your home operates at the highest level of cleanliness, organization, and efficiency. They oversee household staff, implement cleaning protocols, and maintain the fine details that elevate luxury living. Their leadership guarantees an immaculate home without you having to think twice.
Looking for housekeeping expertise that goes beyond the basics? Let us connect you with an Executive Housekeeper who sets the standard in household cleaning and management.
Adam Cook
Managing Director, Old State Staffing
- Seamless Service
A Well-Kept Home, Without the Hassle
Why You Should Consider an Executive Housekeeper
An Executive Housekeeper brings structure, efficiency, and meticulous attention to your home’s cleanliness and organization. They ensure every detail meets the highest standards, from staff coordination to maintaining fine furnishings. An Executive Housekeeper can help:
- Oversee and train household cleaning staff
- Implement and maintain high-end cleaning and care standards
- Manage inventory and household supplies
- Care for specialty surfaces, fine linens, and luxury décor
- Ensure seamless operations through organization and leadership
Hiring an Executive Housekeeper means bringing in a professional who takes home care to the next level, creating a beautifully maintained space with ease.
- Experts For Every Need
