House Manager Job Description
Considering a career as a House Manager?
Here are our answers to some of the questions we are frequently asked by candidates thinking about becoming House Managers:
Duties, Responsibilities & Skills
What are the duties and responsibilities of a House Manager?
Duties vary from household to household, depending on the size and set up of the household, how often the clients will be in residence, what level of family, guests and functions take place, and how many staff there are to manage.
You would be the main point of contact in the house for the staff and the principal.
Duties include:
supervising and training household staff
overseeing the work of contractors
overseeing procurement of household goods
looking after guests
organising dinner parties and events
being hands-on with all administrative duties, including:
paying bills
budgeting
managing household schedules
What are the top skills for a House Manager?
Being a good communicator, understanding the client’s likes and dislikes
Being knowledgeable on a wide range of areas related to the role
Being responsible, efficient, discreet and organised
Having a good memory is also a distinct advantage!
Does a House Manager cook & clean?
Yes if required, though this is more normal in a smaller household with fewer staff.
Does a House Manager manage staff? If yes who?
Normally they would manage all household staff.
Does a house manager wear a uniform?
In a formal household they would normally wear a uniform
In a semi-formal household, it could involve a simple pair of black trousers/skirt with a white shirt
In an informal home, the attire would be whatever the house manager is comfortable wearing, subject to the client’s agreement
Does a House Manager live in the client’s property?
Yes they can live-in, or sometimes the clients rent and pay for a property close by for the House Manager to live in.
House Manager Career
How do I become a House Manager?
The best way is to start at the bottom and work your way up, gaining valuable on the job experience.
Having a background in the hospitality industry or having previously worked in a private household helps.
It's more important that a House Manager has a broad range of relevant skills and common sense than formal qualifications, which can range from a good knowledge of wines to understanding spreadsheets.
House Manager Salary
What is the average salary for a House Manager?
London salaries can range from approximately £45K to £65K GPA for for a live-out role. Salaries do vary for live-in or rural roles.
All salaries depend on experience, the number of properties overseen and the amount of travel required.
As with any role, a House Manager who excels in one job can command a higher salary in their next job, as experience is valuable, especially if the House Manager understands exactly what the job entails and can hit the ground running.
You can view our latest House Manager vacancies here.
