Buckinghamshire

Driver essential.   London based family are seeking a dynamic, detail oriented Housekeeper for their country estate. The family are informal, low key and understated. You will have strong housekeeping experience from either UHNW residences, private yachts and/or 5* hotels.

 

The residence is a 1,500 sq. m, 6 bedroom contemporary home with a minimalist, easy to manage interior. There are no carpets, blinds, heavy drapes etc. You will have good knowledge in the care of hard and soft finishes, artworks, fabric and high-end clothing, and high standards with meticulous attention to detail. For an experienced residence/yacht Housekeeper, it is just a case of learning the family standards, preferences and procedures.

 

The Estate Manager lives on site (known to us and a fabulous manager to work with) and when the family are not in residence, it will just be the 2 of you. Extra staff (HKs, Chef, Nannies) from their London home travel with them to this property. It is a new property for the family and  we expect they will be in residence about every 3rd weekend and for longer periods during some school holidays.

Duties:
• All housekeeping and care of interiors, including lots of glass and stone floors
• Laundry, ironing, clothing and fabric care. Dry clean arrangements
• Keep all areas organised and tidy
• Maintain and replenish spa and pool area amenities
• Assist with food service when required
• Ensure kitchen tidy, organised and sterile
• Clean fireplace and lay the fire prior to family visit
• Deep cleaning as necessary
• Report maintenance or repairs to Estate Manager
• Maintain housekeeping supplies inventory and safe storage of materials

Candidate requirements:
• Proven UHNW residence, yacht or 5* hotel background
• Dynamic and energetic, team player
• Proactive with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude
• Highly organised
• Excellent communicator
• Comfortable with children
• Driver and live within commutable distance
• Excellent checkable references and up to date DBS

Start ASAP
Salary £45,000. May go to £50K for the right candidate
Mon to Fri, 9am to 6 pm. Weekends required (days off in week) when family in residence

We are recruiting 2 experienced, meticulous Housekeepers for a new build, very large residence in Buckinghamshire – property is 20 mins by train to central London.  Family of 3 and a low key, informal environment.

 

You will ideally have previous experience within a private residence, yacht or 5* hotel, have an excellent eye for detail , high standards and take pride in ensuring the home looks it’s best at all times.  Pro-active, lots of initiative and good skills and knowledge in the care of a high-end home. Fittings and finishes are high end and some floors are marble.

 

Duties include all housekeeping, laundry and ironing (separate fully kitted out laundry room), organisation and tidying (though house is more minimalist), occasional errands if required. If you can cook a very simple one course family dinner to cover for the House Manager/Cook or are a Housekeeper/Cook, this would be a bonus, but not essential.

Driver preferred but also not essential. However, if you are daily you’d need to drive as the location is not on a bus route.  Advanced English required.

• Start – ASAP
• Hours – 5 day week Mon – Fri, 9 hrs /day. Occasional half day Sat or weekend when guests visit (last year’s requirement was 6 weekends over the year and 3 half days, so very doable)
• Salary  £40 – £45K DOE and whether daily or live-in
• Accommodation – apartment.

This is a newly created role for our returning client. Very large new build property in Bucks and family of 2 adults and 1 young adult at university.  Beautiful 2 bed apartment separate from main house provided.

 

We are looking for an experienced House Manager, someone who is always willing to be hands-on and assist with any tasks when needed, including assisting the Housekeepers at busy times when guests are staying, which is only a few weeks per year.  The family moved into the property last year and the remaining part of the property will be completed in the next couple of months. There will be renovation of other buildings on the estate later this year.

 

You will ensure the smooth daily running of the property, implement any rotas, procedures, systems, create manuals and inventories and generally get the property properly set up to run efficiently. Health & Safety and PPM have already been reviewed and set up by outside consultants.  2 Housekeepers are in the process of being recruited and you will manage them, training and refining their skills should it be needed in order that the interior is immaculate, cared for correctly and well-presented at all times. Further Housekeepers may be employed in the future.

 

Cooking – mainly the family evening meal at around 7 pm. They enjoy good food that is tasty and healthy and dinner is usually just a main course. Lunches may also be required when the family have guests to stay. Very occasional weekend requirement when guests in situ (time off in lieu). Last year the requirement was a total of 6 weekends.

 

This is a good job with a grounded, low key family and a nice environment.  This family and the wider family have previously enjoyed staff  longevity in both business and homes, and are hoping to find candidates to settle in for the longer term.  The property is close to  town and a 20 minute train journey into central London. Driver preferred as the property is not on a public transport route.

• Start  ASAP
• Salary £60,000-£70,000
• Mon to Fri, 9 hrs per day. Start late morning in order to cover dinner at 7 pm.  We are also looking for one of the Housekeepers to be able to cook for cover and if there is an evening where you might want to go out.
• Accommodation – 2 bed apartment, separate to the main house, fully furnished, all bills paid.