Head Housekeeper / House Manager

Hands-On Head Housekeeper / House Manager

Private Estate, CotswoldsLive-in | Standalone cottage provided

We are looking for an experienced and highly capable Hands-On Head Housekeeper / House Manager to join a lovely private family at their principal UK residence in the Cotswolds.

This is a beautiful private estate and a warm, well-run household, offering a very pleasant working environment for someone who takes real pride in maintaining a home to an exceptional standard.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running and presentation of the house, while remaining very much hands-on. You will work alongside one other full-time Housekeeper and a part-time Housekeeper, as well as forming part of a wider household team which includes a Private Chef and Assistant Chef.

This would particularly suit someone who enjoys the variety of combining traditional Head Housekeeper responsibilities with elements of House Management: someone equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves and working alongside the housekeeping team as they are welcoming guests, managing wardrobes or ensuring everything is beautifully prepared ahead of the family's arrival.

Responsibilities will include:

• Taking overall responsibility for the presentation, cleanliness and smooth day-to-day running of the house
• Working hands-on alongside the housekeeping team and ensuring consistently high standards throughout
• Organising and overseeing the other full-time Housekeeper and part-time Housekeeper
• Detailed cleaning and care of fine furnishings, fabrics, antiques and household items
• Full wardrobe management, including laundry, ironing, steaming, packing and unpacking, seasonal wardrobe changes and arranging specialist cleaning or repairs
• Ensuring bedrooms, bathrooms and guest areas are beautifully presented and prepared
• Front-of-house duties and confidently welcoming and looking after family guests when required
• Remaining discreetly in the background when appropriate and anticipating the family's requirements
• Managing household supplies, inventories and stock levels
• Liaising with the chefs and wider household and estate team to ensure the house runs seamlessly
• Coordinating contractors, maintenance visits and household appointments where required
• Reporting and following up on maintenance issues within the house
• Helping to organise entertaining and house guests
• Ensuring household systems, routines and standards are maintained consistently
• Generally taking ownership of the house and ensuring that nothing is overlooked
• Looking after the Principals dog on occasions

The ideal candidate

We are looking for someone with previous experience in a senior housekeeping or household management position within a high-standard private household.

You will need to be highly organised, practical and genuinely hands-on, with excellent attention to detail and a natural understanding of how a private household should operate.

Strong wardrobe management experience is particularly important, as is the confidence to be guest-facing when required. Equally, you should understand the importance of discretion and know instinctively when to step forward and when to remain quietly in the background.

The family would like someone warm, personable and professional who works well as part of a team and leads by example rather than from a distance.

Flexibility is essential. The property is the family's principal UK residence and there will naturally be busier periods when they are in residence or entertaining. The role will require working approximately two weekends a month, with flexibility around the family's schedule.

Accommodation

A lovely standalone cottage on the estate is provided with the position.

This is a wonderful long-term opportunity for an experienced Head Housekeeper or House Manager looking to become an integral and trusted part of a happy private household in the Cotswolds.

Salary £50,000 to £55,000

Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person