House Manager
- Overview
The Role of a House Manager
House Managers work directly with the owners of the house to plan and execute the overall management and service as it relates to the residence/property. His or her primary responsibility is the oversight of household staff, vendors or contractors to ensure that the house is well-kept secure and comfortable for occupants and guests.
Some of the duties of a House Manager include hiring and supervising staff, scheduling and overseeing repairs/renovations, conducting regular maintenance of property, handling financial matters such as budgets, payrolls, invoices and taxes, coordinating guest services and hospitality and communicating with the principal(s) regularly about issues.
A successful House Manager is someone with excellent organizational and managerial skills, with a wide breadth of experience within a household or similar property. He or she should be able to handle competing priorities, work well under pressure and adapt to changing situations, while always providing high-quality service to the principal(s) and their guests.
- The Role Defined
Job Description
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
A House Manager will generally possess a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree – frequently in the areas of business administration, communication, human resources, finance/accounting, real estate/construction management, culinary services, hotel/restaurant/property management or a related field.
Experienced House Managers should have 5+ years’ experience in household operations, property management or hospitality leadership in a private estate, family office or luxury hotel/resort setting.
SKILLS
- Residence/property management experience, including managing staff, planning events, overseeing construction/maintenance and familiarity with staff 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 required to be a House Manager, 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 House Manager vary depending on the size of a principal(s) residence and the presence of other staff, but common duties include:
- Acting as an executive of a principal(s) residence. Hiring and managing staff and handling all employment matters (e.g., scheduling, compensation, training, etc.)
- Meeting regularly with principal(s) to discuss plans, events, and general household requirements. Coordinating schedules for family/guest arrivals
- Preparing, presenting and managing budgets, and handling all accounting functions related to the residence (paying vendors, bills, etc.)
- Developing, implementing and maintaining household standards in areas such as cleaning, guest accommodations, food service and etiquette
- Maintaining inventory of household supplies and other assets (wine, art, collectibles, etc.)
- Assessing and managing all security needs (includes personnel management and ensuring residents, guests and assets are protected at all times)
- Supervising construction, restoration, moving and/or other large-scale residential projects
- Managing all maintenance, repairs and renovations conducted on residence grounds
ATTRIBUTES
Characteristics of a successful House Manager include:
Leadership
Above all, a skilled House Manager will be someone who possesses exceptional and natural leadership qualities, who can inspire and motivate those around them to perform at their highest capacity within their roles. This person should have a proven work ethic and should be someone who brings others together, maintains a positive and professional working environment, and whose demeanor is charismatic, while also being dynamic and persuasive.
Organizational/project management skills
A House Manager should be skilled in planning, organizing and executing projects on behalf of the principal(s). He or she should be able to realize a principal’s vision for their house through setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes, as well as handling multiple projects within the home simultaneously, while meeting important deadlines.
Interpersonal skills and communication
A House Manager should have outstanding interpersonal skills and communication abilities to interact effectively with principal(s), subordinate staff and guests, vendors, etc. He or she 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 House Manager should be responsible and accountable for his or her actions and decisions. Although a House Manager will often be in charge of other staff, he or she must be capable to managing themselves and should take full ownership in their role within the residence. He or she 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 home and its principal(s) at all times.
COMPENSATION
Total compensation for a House Manager generally ranges from $125 – 250K, however high-level House Managers 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 House Manager’s compensation may include:
Base salary
A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. A House Manager’s base salary varies depending on the size and location of the residence they manage as well as the experience and qualifications of the House Manager.
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 a House Manager, 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.
Living Expenses
A principal may prefer that a House Manager lives in with them, either at their residence, at an adjoining accommodation on their property or within certain proximity of their 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 House Manager, housing and/or moving expenses are expected to be included in the employee’s compensation package.
STANDARD BENEFITS
A House Manager typically has access to the following corporate-style benefits (or receives 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 office
- 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 House Manager generally reports:
- To an Estate Manager (if present)
- Directly to the principal(s)
- To a designated individual within the family office (Managing Director, Director of Operations or Administration, Chief of Staff, etc.)
A House Manager is responsible for managing any staff or vendors that work for the home, which may 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/Chauffers
Your Home, Perfectly Managed
A House Manager is your trusted partner in overseeing the seamless flow of daily life within your home. From managing staff to coordinating schedules and ensuring the household runs efficiently, their role is designed to elevate your lifestyle. A House Manager’s dedication ensures that no detail is overlooked, providing you with the peace of mind to focus on what truly matters.
Ready to experience the difference a professional House Manager can make? Let us help you streamline your home operations and bring order to your everyday.
Adam Cook
Managing Director, Old State Staffing
- Simplify Your Life
Streamline Your Home Life
Why You Should Consider a House Manager
Managing a household can be overwhelming. A Household Manager brings order and efficiency, handling everything from coordinating staff to overseeing maintenance and managing logistics. They take charge of daily routines, freeing you to focus on what matters most. A Household Manager can help you:
- Coordinate household staff and ensure smooth communication
- Oversee home maintenance and repairs
- Manage family schedules, appointments, and travel logistics
- Handle event planning, from intimate gatherings to larger events
- Ensure all household operations run efficiently and seamlessly
By hiring a Household Manager, you’re investing in peace of mind, greater efficiency, and more time for personal priorities.
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