Family Description and Location

This is a lovely role for a country loving Domestic Couple – Estate Manager and Housekeeper/Cook - to work for a very nice multi-generational family who live in a beautiful Manor House in Hampshire. The estate comprises of 150 acres, an 8 bedroom country house, additional cottages, various outbuildings/stables, lakes, and watercourses.

Housekeeper duties, not limited to:

• All general housekeeping, and presenting the house to a high level
• Laundry and ironing
• Changing the beds and other household linen
• Setting the table for meals and clearing after meals
• Greeting guests and making up guest bedrooms when required
• Cooking breakfast and family style meals
• Family style service – when entertaining, possibly silver service required
• Occasional overnight stays within the residence – there is one permanent member of the family who resides within the property (a mature gentleman), he is entirely self-sufficient but some ad hoc assistance may be needed

Estate Manager duties, not limited to:

• Supervise and manage the day-to-day running of the Estate
• Meet with Principal to discuss plans, events, and general estate requirements
• Manage the upkeep and enhancement of the estate’s gardens and grounds
• Oversee the Gardening team to review seasonal planting, mowing, pruning, and general landscape tasks
• Manage outside contractors employed for a specific purpose, ie tree surgeons, service engineers etc
• Proactively identify and address potential maintenance and repairs across the estate
• Responsible for the monitoring and upkeep of the estate's security and security systems to safeguard the estate and residents
• Being the first point of contact on the estate for Alarm monitoring companies, outside providers, etc   
• Liaise with the wider team, providing regular updates, and acting as point of contact for the family
• Liaise with event planners and caterers to ensure that all events run smoothly

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience managing a private estate or similar property
• Knowledge of groundskeeping and land management
• Great leadership, highly organised, thorough, and be calm under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Adept at financial management and budgeting
• Diligent about health and safety
• Good sense of humour
• It is essential that you have worked as a Domestic Couple in a similar country role for at least 3 years with suitable references
• You will both preferably speak English
• Forward thinking and proactive
• Potential occasional travel – willingness to work autonomously
• One of you will need to have driving experience in Central London
• This is a job for a Couple who love working in a country environment for a friendly family
• The couple do go away for the weekend occasionally and when they do, they would ask that you make sure that the dogs are looked after (with prior notice)

Days of Work

This is a live-in, five day a week job, usual days off will be Tuesday and Wednesday

• Housekeeper/Cook: 8.30am–2.00pm - 5.30pm–7.30pm with a 2.5-hour break in the day
• Estate Manager: 8.30am–5.30pm with 1 hour lunch

If the family are travelling, you can have the weekends off.

If you are driving in the evenings, you will have time off in lieu.

Accommodation: A lovely 2-bedroom cottage not suitable for children but friendly pets welcome.

Car provided for use on duty.

Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 DOE