This is not a standard housekeeper role. We are looking for an exceptional individual who will become the engine room of a large, private home; someone who thinks ahead, takes ownership, and makes life run smoothly for a principal and family without ever needing to be told what to do.
The right candidate will combine the standards of a five-star hotel manager with the warmth and common sense of someone who genuinely enjoys being part of a family home. You will be proactive, discreet, resourceful, and calm under pressure.
THE ROLE
You will be the sole household professional responsible for the complete day-to-day running of a large rural property. Your responsibilities span household operations, family support, personal errands, and light PA-style tasks. You will manage other service providers- gardener, tradespeople, and act as the principal's eyes and ears at the property.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Household Operations
– Maintain the entire residence to an immaculate standard at all times
– Perform and oversee all cleaning, laundry, and housekeeping to a high standard
– Manage and oversee other household as required, including gardener- scheduling, briefing, quality-checking their work
– Oversee contractors, maintenance, and tradespeople- arranging access, supervising work, and ensuring quality
– Proactively manage household supplies and consumables
– Maintain household budgets and accurate expenditure records
– Build and maintain a household operations bible that has schedules, supplier contacts, standards
– Day-to-day care of the principal's dog, including feeding, walking, and general welfare, including vet trips and grooming appointments as needed
Rural Estate Management
– Coordinate seasonal maintenance, for example boiler servicing, gutter clearing, pool maintenance, grounds care
– Act as first point of contact for all property issues in the principal's absence by knowing who to call, making decisions within agreed authority, and keeping the principal informed without unnecessary interruption
Shopping, Provisions & Errands
– Manage all grocery shopping and household provisioning- weekly shop plus ad hoc replenishment, always stocked to agreed standards
– Reorder household consumables proactively as stocks run low, such as toiletries, cleaning products, candles, flowers, plants, kitchen staples
– Prescription collection and management
– Post, parcels, deliveries- receive, log, and ensure nothing is missed
– General errands as required, including clothes shopping
Family Support
– Regular school pickups
– Prepare simple, nutritious dinners as needed
– Be a calm, consistent, and trusted presence for the family
– Handle light family coordination
Entertaining & Seasonal
– Prepare the house for guests staying on an ad hoc basis, including guest rooms, bathrooms, fresh flowers, welcome provisions
– Seasonal house dressing such as Christmas, Easter, and other occasions as directed
– Coordinate catering, floristry, and event logistics for entertaining at the house as needed
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
– A minimum of 5 years' experience in a private household, estate, or comparable high-standard environment
– Demonstrable ability to manage a household single-handedly to an exceptional standard
– Comfortable and natural around children- must be warm, responsible, and appropriately boundaried
– A self-starter who takes initiative, anticipates needs, and solves problems without waiting to be asked
– Exceptional attention to detail
– Highly organised, with strong systems thinking- you build processes rather than keeping everything in your head
– Absolute discretion as a matter of instinct
– Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
– Comfortable driving family vehicles including for school pickups
– Right to work in the UK (essential)
– Flexibility to accommodate the principal's schedule, including occasional evenings and very occasional overnight stays when required
– Basic cooking skills for simple family meals- nothing elaborate, but confident and reliable
Pay: From £35,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
