Our private staff vacancies are directed to candidates that have registered their CV's with us via the link on our Candidate Registration page.
We currently have immediate vacancies across the UK for experienced candidates with verifiable Private House experience.
Our Client is looking for an experienced couple for a long-term position. Based in Wiltshire.
The couple must have a minimum of 3 years previous experience working within a Private House or Estate this experience is essential. The couple must have the flexibility to join an existing small team and be happy to adapt when needed to meet the clients high end expectations. A couple who see change as a positive challenge rather than a hindrance and can anticipate needs with a can-do attitude. A couple with an eye for detail and flair for going the extra mile to reach a goal. Both individuals will be working within the House. We are looking for a couple that are looking for a long term commitment.
One member of the couple will need to be a confident driver (to include regular trips to London) with a clean licence and one member will need to be a happy to cook simple family meals.
Housekeeper/ Houseman Duties for couple
Main priority. Ensuring the house is always kept to a high standard. Working on a rota basis with other staff/5 day week. Family of 4.
Based in the South West most of the time with travel to London to help cover staff/ also willing to travel out of the UK with the family in the summer on occasion.
All day-to-day housekeeping duties including, but not limited to: cleaning of all rooms, vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, making and changing beds, preparing rooms for family & guests, cleaning up after meals, emptying bins, care of furniture and fine objects, flower arranging and care of house plants.
Attending to the small family with a high level of service and care when they are at the property.
Plan as a team to undertake an ongoing in-depth program of deep-cleaning/specific tasks (i.e. carpet cleaning etc.) which can be done when the house is unoccupied.
Care of all laundry including machine and handwashing, ironing, folding/hanging clothes, occasional sewing and mending of garments, handling and care of special fabrics, taking items for dry cleaning etc.
Organising of wardrobes, packing and un-packing suitcases, shoe polishing and repairs
Ordering and maintaining household supplies as required including cleaning products, linen, equipment etc. Knowledge of products with an eye for detail.
Laying of tables for both informal and formal meals. Serving at the table on occasion serving drinks.
Food shopping/ ordering when required.
Such other duties as may reasonably be required.
Communicating with the wider staff within the Estate, must work well with others as a team player/not just as a couple unit. Proactive, energetic and willing to adapt from a regular routine to a busier environment.
Greeting and care for daytime and overnight guests when required
Child care
Assisting with childcare when the family are in residence
Babysitting as required on occasion
Providing well-balanced and nutritious meals appropriate to the needs of the children. Family normally all eat together
Cook Duties
Preparing and cooking meals on rotation for the family when they are in residence if required and for occasional dinner parties/ BBQ in accordance with their preferences and dietary requirements. Simple cooking but must be confident in the kitchen. Caterer is engaged for larger parties.
Planning and management of food stocks, ordering of groceries
Management of fridges, freezers, other food storage areas to ensure all items are kept correctly and to reduce wastage
Maintenance of wine cellar, monitoring of wine stock levels and advising when orders need to be placed
Responsibility for recording and reporting of purchases and expenses relating to household purchases.
Timely reporting of maintenance/equipment issues, reporting of any faults for the attention of external contractor team within the estate.
Such other duties as may reasonably be required.
Essential Criteria
Salary and Benefits
Excellent Salary up to £75,000 for the right couple. This reviewed each year.
Lovely 3 bed local village cottage is provided, all bills paid.
No dependants preferred.
Pension
Plus, other benefits
Car provided for business use
Job Reference:- #PSA104
To apply – go to The Candidate Registration Page on this website and send us your CV and resume.
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Housekeeping couple required for Country Estate in Lincolnshire - start March 2025
Could be earlier if right couple apply.
Our client is looking for a housekeeping couple for their country estate near Grantham, Lincolnshire. The house is over 4 floors with 9 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms
The property is home to a couple who have regular visiting children in their twenties and a small dog.
The Lady of the house is very hands on and would hope that the couple will be able to fit in seamlessly to help her, when needed, to keep the house running smoothly and looking at its best at all times. This role could be full-time or part-time with a minimum of a 30 hours working week, depending on the couple.
Housekeeper duties to include but not restricted to
They are looking for a housekeeper with an eye for detail, who has a positive attitude, someone who is easy to work with and approachable
General housekeeping duties
Hands on cleaning working alongside another part-time cleaner
Laundry and ironing
Cooking – helping in the kitchen more when the family have guests and also helping prepare and freeze home grown seasonal produce, possibly making jams and preserves and batch cooking which is a huge help for freezing ahead of forthcoming events
Family do host shoots so help at those times will be required both with house preparation, assisting at shoot lunches and dinners, clearing up after events leaving the house in readiness for the next day and with guests if needed.
Plan a deep clean routine schedule in rotation to be carried out when the house is quiet, or when the family are away
Part of the duties will be to clean the Estate office each day
Help when needed with a small friendly dog if asked
Keeping family informed at all times of any issues that arise that may impact the house presentation.
Houseman duties to include but not limited to
General property maintenance and helping with other team members on the estate.
Driving and looking after the household vehicles, airport runs, guest collection, running errands, vehicle cleaning and being aware of maintenance issues and general upkeep.
General house maintenance under direction.
Help in the village with the village green, mowing, hedge cutting if needed and other duties as required.
Working alongside a gardener and other staff externally as required (grounds of 5 acres) throughout the year
Pool maintenance
Overseeing trades and contractors
Household security
Keeping family informed at all times of any issues that arise that may impact the house presentation
Essential Criteria
A couple that can show longevity in previous positions on their CV’s.
Both need to be drivers with excellent references and Enhanced DBS checks
Ideally, they are looking for a couple that will support them by working together as a team to ensure the smooth running of the house and estate.
The couple will also look after the property when the family are away making sure everything is ready for their return.
A couple who are friendly and approachable, honest and trustworthy. A couple who are happy to accept change and have a love for the countryside. A couple with a positive can-do attitude, verifiable references with a right to work in the UK.
Finally, a couple who are looking to settle into a long-term position while living within a beautiful country estate.
Salary and Benefits
Salary £60,000(pro-rata for part-time) depending on experience.
It may be the Housekeeper is contracted to work less hours each week, this will be agreed with the principals. The Houseman will be contracted to work a 40 hours a week. Any time over for either candidate will be given back as time in lieu.
A pension will be provided
Unfurnished accommodation (could be furnished if needed) will be provided free of charge, within the village – council tax will be included but not bills
A couple with no dependents preferred
Pets considered
Start March 2025
Job Reference:- #PSA106
To apply – go to The Candidate Registration Page on this website and send us your CV and resume.
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Housekeeper required for Country Estate in Lincolnshire (live in or live out)
Our client is looking for a housekeeper for their country estate in Lincolnshire. The house is over 4 floors with 9 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms
The property is home to a couple who have regular visiting family members and a small dog.
The Lady of the house is very hands on and would hope that the Housekeeper will be able to fit in seamlessly to help her, when needed, to keep the house running smoothly and looking at its best at all times. This role could be full-time or part-time with a minimum of a 30 hours working week, depending on the Candidate.
Housekeeper duties to include but not restricted to.
They are looking for a housekeeper with an eye for detail, who has a positive attitude, someone who is easy to work with and approachable.
General housekeeping duties
Hands on cleaning working alongside another part-time cleaner
Laundry and ironing
Cooking – helping in the kitchen more when the family have guests and also helping prepare and freeze home grown seasonal produce, possibly making jams and preserves and batch cooking which is a huge help for freezing ahead of forthcoming events
Family do host shoots so help at those times will be required both with house preparation, assisting at shoot lunches and dinners, clearing up after events leaving the house in readiness for the next day and with help with guests if needed.
Plan a deep clean routine schedule in rotation to be carried out when the house is quiet, or when the family are away
Part of the duties will be to clean the Estate office each day
Help when needed with a small friendly dog if asked
Keeping family informed at all times of any issues that arise that may impact the house presentation.
Essential the Housekeeper must be a driver.
Salary and Accommodation
Salary for part time Live out - hours in agreement with principals at Hourly rate of £15 per hr.
Salary for full time Housekeeper up to £35,000 pa doe., plus accommodation, council tax paid, other bills employee responsibility. Benefits include sick pay, pension. Hours Mon to Friday 40 hrs per week, if less hours worked time due back in lieu to principal.
If required less hours per week on a regular basis this will be agreed with the principal on a pro rata basis.
Job ref #PSA108
To apply – go to The Candidate Registration Page on this website and send us your CV and resume.
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Experienced Head Gardener required for a wonderful Estate in Wiltshire
Our client is looking for a very experienced head gardener that can lead a team.
We are looking for a head gardener that can take responsibility for strategic and operational matters relating to the gardens and parkland across the estate and related high end property rentals.
We are looking for a candidate that has a hands-on approach in terms of delivery. Someone who can effectively lead a team within a prestigious environment.
A Head Gardener responsible for looking after wonderful formal gardens, lawns, borders, hedge mazes and horticultural displays which are all part of this English Stately home. Always ensuring their appropriate presentation and cyclic maintenance.
Able to assist with the development of a planned 12-month planting programme to ensure the gardens always look at their best throughout the year, which includes achieving key deadline dates for presentation.
To ensure all areas are fully compliant with H&S legislation and procedures according to company policy to include risk assessments, reporting, training in particular security and fire.
Essential Criteria
· Good general level of Education and specialist qualifications with improving experience of working in a varied garden environment.
· A minimum of RHS level 3 or NVQ, Level 3 or the equivalent.
· Passion and great understanding of plants and horticulture
· The knowledge of, and experience with, garden maintenance equipment and machinery, trimmers, hedge cutters, chainsaws, mowers, tractors, etc.
· Extensive hands-on experience working in a large garden/estate that requires strong horticultural skills and technical knowledge.
· Supervisory and team management in both coaching and mentoring team members, as
well as reinforcing appropriate behaviours and standards of performance.
· Full clean driving licence.
The ideal candidate Knowledge Experience and Qualifications
· Excellent organisation and planning skills for effective management of workloads and
able to develop team capacity in line with business plans and organisational vision, able to coach and develop individuals and teams for high performance whilst challenging poor performance effectively.
· Great attention to detail and a desire to maintain the grounds and gardens to the highest standards.
· Willing and capable of carrying out manual work tasks in all weather conditions.
· Self-motivated approach and flexible with hours dependent on workload and season.
· Excellent interpersonal skills are essential as the gardens and grounds are open to the public all the year round.
· Experience of working within a heritage setting.
· P1 and P6 chemical spraying and CS30/CS31 certificates an advantage.
· Experience within a similar historical garden or country estate.
· Experience of managing projects.
· Experience of working within a kitchen garden.
· Experience of working with statutory partners, Historic England, Natural England, AONB, etc.
· Experience of writing procedures, drafting reports, preparing business cases.
· Ability to be commercially astute, able to manage budgets and always looking for ways to maximise opportunities.
· Reporting as Head Gardner to the Head of Grounds and Gardens.
Hours, Benefits and Salary
40 hours per week over 7 days. Typically, Monday to Friday.
29 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays based on a shift pattern.
Discretionary bonus scheme
Employer contributory pension scheme.
Life assurance scheme.
Plus, other benefits.
Salary up to £35,000 p.a. DOE
To apply
Please visit our Candidate Registration page on this website, and attach your CV and resume.
A full detailed job description will be sent to candidates that have the right level of experience mentioned above who can provide a detailed employment history plus verifiable references.
Job reference - #PSA114
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Butler required - Live in
We are searching for a Live-in Butler to work in a beautiful castle in the heart of Fife, Scotland. There are no live-in principals, the castle is rented out on a fully exclusive basis to guests.
The team consists of a Castle Management Couple, a Business Manager, 2 Housekeepers, 2 Gardeners, 2 Maintenance/Handymen, and Private Chefs are bought in to help with larger bookings.
Duties include:
The working hours are very varied when guests are in depending on requirements but breaks will be taken throughout the day/evening to work around the guest itineraries.
When there are no guests, the hours will be from 9.00am-5.00pm generally but this is also flexible.
There will be two days off each week.
Accommodation: 1 bed furnished flat consisting of king bedroom, large living room, kitchen, and large bathroom with shower – all bills covered.
Salary: £30,000-£35,000 gross per annum.
Candidates applying must be able to drive due to the location of the property.
Job ref #PSA115
To apply – go to The Candidate Registration Page on this website and send us your CV and resume.
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Vacancies for our clients cover all aspects of Private Service, House Managers, Estate Managers, Butlers, Valets, Housekeepers, Housekeeping couples, Chefs/Cooks, Nannies, Executive PA's, Personal Assistants and Chauffeurs, Head Gardeners and groundmen.
We also search for multi skilled talented candidates that could meet a clients wider recruitment expectations.
Once registered with us, together with our partners, we can help you with a new career move.
Not all our vacancies are advertised here to respect our client confidentiality.
As a staffing agency we have some wonderful clients in amazing locations.
Why not follow and register with us so you can keep updated on our latest projects and opportunities.
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