House Manager Job Description: Role, Duties and Requirements

A House Manager oversees the smooth operation of a private household or residential estate. This role is suitable for experienced household managers, senior domestic staff or candidates with strong organisational, people management and maintenance coordination skills who can run a home efficiently, discreetly and professionally.

House Manager Job Profile

The House Manager is responsible for the day to day management of household operations, including supervision of domestic staff, maintenance coordination, scheduling and maintaining household standards. The role ensures the property functions safely and efficiently while meeting the expectations of the household principals.

The purpose of the role is to provide leadership to onsite staff, develop and maintain operational procedures, manage routine budgets and suppliers, and act as the principal point of contact for household-related matters. The House Manager must balance practical problem solving with a proactive approach to preserving confidentiality and service quality.

House Manager Job Description

The House Manager oversees staffing, maintenance, domestic services and administrative tasks required to operate a private residence. This includes recruiting and training domestic staff, producing work rotas, managing cleaning and maintenance programmes, and ensuring high standards of presentation across the property. The role requires regular liaison with external contractors, suppliers and professional service providers to co-ordinate repairs, deliveries and specialist services.

Operational responsibilities include monitoring household budgets, maintaining inventories, purchasing household supplies and ensuring compliance with health and safety and fire regulations. The House Manager is expected to anticipate household needs, plan for events and visits, and manage confidential information with discretion. The role often involves flexible working hours and availability for urgent issues or special events.

House Manager: Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise, schedule and mentor domestic staff including cleaners, housekeepers, cooks and other on-site personnel.
• Develop and maintain daily, weekly and seasonal work plans to ensure consistent household standards.
• Co-ordinate maintenance, repairs and improvement projects with contractors and service providers.
• Manage household purchasing, supplies and inventory control to maintain stock levels and reduce waste.
• Prepare and monitor household budgets, record expenditures and provide regular financial summaries.
• Organise and support private events, guest visits and household functions, including logistics and staffing requirements.
• Implement and enforce health and safety, fire safety and hygiene standards for the property and staff.
• Carry out regular inspections to ensure cleanliness, condition and presentation of rooms and grounds.
• Liaise with external providers such as gardeners, cleaners, technicians and security personnel to maintain services.
• Recruit, conduct inductions and manage performance of domestic staff, including scheduling training as required.
• Maintain confidential household records, schedules and contact lists with discretion and professionalism.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, packing and logistics for household principals and staff when required.
• Respond to urgent household issues outside standard hours and escalate matters appropriately.
• Adhere to household protocols and support the principals with bespoke requests while maintaining professional boundaries.

House Manager: Requirements and Qualifications

• Proven experience in household management, estate management or senior domestic management role.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Experience supervising and developing domestic teams, including scheduling and performance management.
• Sound financial literacy with experience preparing and monitoring household budgets and records.
• Good problem solving skills and the ability to make practical decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with a professional and discreet manner.
• Knowledge of health and safety, fire safety and hygiene regulations relevant to private residences.
• Ability to co-ordinate external contractors and suppliers and manage contractual relationships.
• High level of confidentiality and integrity in managing private household information.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including availability for occasional evenings or weekends.
• Valid driving licence where required by the role and reliable mobility to travel for household needs.
• Relevant qualifications in hospitality, facilities or estate management are desirable but not essential.