Live In Head Housekeeper – Berkshire Hampshire Border
£46,000–£50,000 gross per annum + self-contained one-bedroom cottage
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced, hands-on Live In Head Housekeeper to join a large, semi-formal 14-bedroom country residence on the Berkshire/Hampshire border.
The property is the permanent home of a family of four with two school-age children and two dogs. The successful candidate will work closely with an established household team including an Office Manager, PA, Chef, Daily Housekeeper, Live-In Housekeeper, Mother's Help, Maintenance Man and wider Estate staff.
This is a senior but very hands-on role. The family are looking for someone who is confident leading a housekeeping team while remaining fully involved in the day-to-day housekeeping and presentation of the home.
The property forms part of a shooting estate and regularly hosts family guests, events and shoot parties.
Responsibilities will include:
- Taking overall responsibility for housekeeping standards throughout the property
- Leading and supervising the existing housekeeping team
- Working hands-on alongside the team on a daily basis
- Creating and maintaining daily, weekly and deep-cleaning schedules
- Maintaining exceptionally high standards of cleanliness and presentation
- Preparing guest bedrooms and bathrooms
- Morning opening-up and evening closing-down of the house
- Turndown service
- Laundry, ironing and wardrobe care
- Basic sewing repairs
- Caring for antiques, fine finishes, delicate surfaces and woodwork
- Maintaining household inventories and the House Bible
- Stock control and ordering household supplies
- Training and mentoring housekeeping staff
- Preparing staff rotas
- Formal table service and front-of-house duties
- Assisting with events, entertaining and shoot parties
- Cellar organisation and upkeep
- Liaising with the Chef, Estate Office, Maintenance and Garden teams
- Maintaining snagging and maintenance logs
- Assisting with security and fire procedures
- Preparing simple family meals on the Chef's days off when required
- House sitting and pet sitting when the family are away
- Assisting with the care of the family's two dogs
Candidate requirements:
- Minimum 3–5 years' relevant private household experience
- Previous experience as a Head Housekeeper or Senior Housekeeper in a large private household, country estate or yacht
- Strong formal and informal housekeeping experience
- A genuinely hands-on approach and willingness to lead by example
- Excellent organisational and team-management skills
- Excellent laundry, ironing and wardrobe-care skills
- Good knowledge of antiques, delicate surfaces and fine finishes
- Experience of formal table service
- High attention to detail and pride in presentation
- Confident working as part of a larger household or Estate team
- Discreet, reliable and professional
- Comfortable around dogs and genuinely happy to assist with their care
- Comfortable working within a rural country estate and around country pursuits
- Excellent spoken English
- Full driving licence and own car essential due to the rural location
Estate vehicles are available for work-related duties.
Hours
- 40 hours per week
- Five days per week
- Weekend working forms part of the normal rota
- Two consecutive days off during the week
- When the family are away, weekends may occasionally be given off on a rota basis
- Staggered and split shifts may be required to cover evening service and turndown
- Flexibility required around family events, entertaining and shoot weekends
Salary
£46,000–£50,000 gross per annum, depending on experience.
Accommodation
Excellent live-in accommodation is provided in the form of a self-contained one-bedroom cottage on the Estate.
Well-behaved partners and dogs would be considered; however, the accommodation is not suitable for dependants.
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOU HAVE 3-5 YEARS PLUS OF WORKING IN A PRIVATE HOUSEHOLD, COUNTRY ESTATE OR YACHT
Pay: £46,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
