House Manager Job Description
Northeast Ohio
Experience Required: 5+
Relocation support and full benefits offered
Salary commensurate with experience
Job Summary:
Cleveland-based family seeks an organized and skilled House Manager to join their domestic team. Primary responsibilities include oversight, management, and hands-on work. Experienced with running a large housekeeping team and multiple residences within a compound.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Manage daily housekeeping teams at multiple residences simultaneously. Adept at sequencing movement of staff to optimize efficiency.
- A sharp eye for detail, making sure that homes are kept pristine; the House Manager should have an astute eye for detail and placement of items, knowing when things are out of place.
- Knowledgeable in fine antique furniture care; know what cleaning tools to use on wood and lacquered surfaces; extensive knowledge of cleaning fabric walls, silk and jute carpets, and drapery; and knowledgeable in care of silver and fine linens. Able to teach staff or identify improper cleaning regimens.
- Manage the in-house laundress and clothing schedules, and maintain detailed inventory of laundered items and needed repairs. Able to track and document via spreadsheet.
- Assist in scheduling daily movements of the housekeeping staff and assist where needed at the different residences to maintain the homes in pristine condition.
- Overseeing quality control to preserve the utmost privacy for the family.
- Organize and manage household inventories for all properties, and update logs on a daily basis.
- Pantry/closet organization. Oversee and collaborate with Lead of Interiors on panry and closet organization.
- Present design aesthetic ideas to Mrs. for events and assist with entertaining. While the family typically serves themselves meals, the house manager should be willing and able to set tables when requested.
- Source, purchase, deliver, and help put away all stock list items for Principals arrival.
- Provide direction, oversight, assessment of onsite housekeeping work.
- Conduct a walk-through inspection of every room and detail of their work to ensure housekeeping standards (i.e. no one has walked on carpet after vacuuming)
- Assist in training and supervising additional support staff in the home as required.
- Assist with event planning by working closely with staff and outside vendors to ensure proper set up and breakdown.
- Extensive knowledge of formal table settings; ability to interpret menus and be able to set table accordingly.
- If necessary, travel with the Principals to other properties to assist in their needs; travel ahead to set things up or travel with the family to assist with hands-on housekeeping and laundry needs.
- Assist with the maintenance of a household manual for the residence with yearly schedules for all household maintenance items and inventory updates.
- Inventory all crystal, silver, fine art, antiques, and other items as requested.
- Create and maintain an inventory of all pantry items, household products, and order and purchase items as needed.
- Organize closets and storage spaces as necessary.
- Check expiration dates on all pantry items and note anything that needs to be replaced.
- The House Manager will need to work extended hours, and most weekends.
Requirements:
- Adept in managing an ever-changing schedule and calendar.
- Must have a calm disposition and be able to pivot quickly in a high-paced environment.
- Must be open to working weekends, holidays and long hours.
- In-depth knowledge of best practices relating to cleaning antiques, different surfaces, and linens.
- Extensive experience with formal table settings.
- Exceptional organizational skills and dedication to responsibilities; a self-starter who can prioritize and manage his/her own schedule effectively and efficiently.
- Minimum 5+ years related experience working in a similar role for a single private family.
- Excellent references required from both current and previous employers.
- Outstanding problem solver; resourceful and quick-thinking.
- Comfortable using technology, especially Mac and Apple systems.
- Able to manage housekeepers while serving as a team player; able to empower and lead rather than command.
- Polished, poised and professional in both mindset and manner; use of utmost discretion at all times.
- Flexibility in scheduling; willingness to work long hours and overtime as approved.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred, but not required.
- Legally able to work within the United States.