Household, Estate, Business, and Personal Staffing

BUTLER

Butlers are often formally trained professionals who see to and anticipate the needs of their principals while providing an impeccable and customized standard of service.

Hospitality (ie. Four Seasons) and butler school training are paired with the seamless chemistry and sensitive fit factors. A butler’s skill set includes:

• Social etiquette as well as formal service and table setting
• Care of fine table and serving settings
• Knowledge of wines and spirits, and valet services
• Function both on command and invisibly executing functions and services with grace and manners.

Caretaker

Property Managers are hands-on maintenance people. The property in and around the estate including, but not limited to the landscaping, salt, and freshwater pools, and guest cottages are the responsibility of the estate’s Caretaker.

This position requires:

• A wide and deep practical knowledge of property and grounds maintenance
• Often requires sound handyman/maintenance skills
• This position may also require a background in horticulture in order to keep healthy, year-round gardens, blooms, and even chicken coops
• Caretakers often have experience with construction, landscaping, and gentleman’s farms
• Caretaker often plays an additional important role for many employers as the owner’s representative during their absence
• Snowplowing, adverse weather

Private Chef/Cook

A private chef or cook is personal to their family dynamics and expert in cooking and serving the foods and dishes appropriate for your palate and wellness.

The duties of a Chef/Cook are performed for all regular meals, special events, holidays, parties, and entertaining. Chefs often:

• Travel and are available to fit client needs for holidays and special cuisine preferences
• Are responsible for everything related to meal preparations for the family and household staff
• Do all shopping for food-related supplies
• Take care of meal/menu planning, preparation, and cleanup

Chief of Staff

A Chief of Staff takes on many forms including, the ultimate Personal/Executive Assistant or the leader and manager of a large staff.

The COS is highly experienced, savvy, and expert/resourceful in all aspects and possibilities. Backgrounds may include corporate or personal experiences, typically supported by impressive educational credentials. The Chief of staff must:

• Manage multiple homes, complex renovations, asset acquisitions/management, and interaction with the various business/board interests
• Leader of the residence and the coordinator of the staff
• Provides a buffer between the Principal and staff
• Works behind the scenes to solve problems, mediate disputes, and deal with issues
• Act as an advisor to the Principal.

Companion

A Companion is responsible for assisting his or her employer in various ways.

A Companion’s duties may include:

• Driving and traveling with the employer
• Accompanying him or her to restaurants, events, and appointments.
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Helping with everything and anything around the house
• Arrangements with friends and family

Domestic Couples

The ideal Domestic Couple has complementary skills to work separately or together, providing all that is needed to run and serve a fine home.

Couples can be highly synergistic- both sharing formal service capabilities or separately with inside/outside talents or handyman/housekeeper duties. Couples work in:

• Primary residences, secondary (vacation) residences or both
• Singularly dedicated to one home or rotate between residences
• Both members of a couple must fit the respective roles identified by the client
• Value and long tenure are typical benefits of a couple of service team

Estate Manger

The Estate Manager will manage all aspects surrounding the management of the estate while making sure that his/her employer’s life is as carefree as possible.

An Estate Manager is responsible for:

• The smooth operation of the employer’s residence(s)
• Well trained and have excellent judgment regarding decisions about household maintenance and management
• Hiring service people and providing direction to other household staff
• Computer and accounting skills are commonly required for this position in addition to general household management duties
• Overseeing the operation and maintenance of an estate or multiple residences
• Creating and maintaining household manuals
• Managing the calendar, organizing and running large events and parties
• Bookkeeping and accounting tasks
• Book travel arrangements
• Maintaining household security
• Managing designated projects

Executive Housekeeper

The Estate Manager will manage all aspects surrounding the management of the estate while making sure that his/her employer’s life is as carefree as possible.

The responsibilities of an executive housekeeper include:

• Hiring, training, and supervising other Housekeepers
• Required to answer phones, manage vendors and assist the Housekeepers and Houseman with their work
• Experienced in both a formal and semi-formal home
  Expert in care of everything from floors to bedding, furniture, and customized care

Executive Personal Assistant

More senior than a PA, this position may have more liaison with the principal’s business matters.

The Executive Personal Assistant is responsible for:

• Handling complex art or renovation projects, philanthropy, and Board matters
• Be the communicator with Estate Managers, travel professionals, investment/financial advisors
• Highly capable of proactive, decision-making
• Handling a wide range of tasks and conducting planning in concert with principal(s) and business or family office associates

Housekeeper

Typical responsibilities include the full range of daily cleaning, deep cleaning, and helping with the family or principals. We tailor our selection to fit the personality, schedule, lifestyle, and qualities of your home and usage.

Housekeepers can be in formal, semi-formal, or casual styles. This role requires flexible hours to fit the client’s needs.

Specific services include:

• Wardrobes, closets, bathrooms, and kitchens
• Fine cleaning of surfaces and floors (Vacuum and sweeping)
• Driving and errands (optional)
• Laundry, steam, and/or hand wash
• Proper cleaning of high-end appliances
• Linens, beds, etc.
• Pet care
• Care and respect for antiques, art, and valuables

Houseman

A Houseman participates in the hands-on running of the home on a daily basis. A houseman may have worked in a fine hotel, in a private cleaning service, or just has an all-around service mentality to fit the bill.

We see Housemen staying with families for years and becoming extended family members. Housemen are typically involved in:

• Assisting guests, packing/unpacking, serving, and outdoor entertainment
  Driving
• Assists and fills in for other staff as needed
• Running errands
• Heavy cleaning
• Exterior property maintenance
• Serving, driving, and vehicle care
• Assisting with events and guests

Lady’s Maid

Butlers are often formally trained professionals who see to and anticipate the needs of their principal while providing an impeccable and customized standard of service.

Hospitality (ie. Four Seasons) and butler school training is paired with the seamless chemistry and sensitive fit factors. A butler’s skill set includes:

• Social etiquette as well as formal service and table setting
• Care of fine table and serving settings
• Knowledge of wines and spirits, and valet services
• Function both on command and invisibly executing functions and services with grace and manners.

Laundress

A Laundress must have knowledge on how to care for all types of garments, how to store and clean them. A Professional Laundress may work either full-time or part-time depending on the size of the family and the amount of laundry that needs care.

Thorough knowledge of modern washing machines, dryers, irons, and the operation of a mangle is essential. Being a Laundress is particularly gratifying to those who have a particular affinity for clothing and its care. Duties for a Laundress include:

• Washing, steaming, and ironing
• Altering and mending various garments
• Organizing the principal’s wardrobe according to season
• Maintain inventory of wardrobe, linens, beddings, and towels

major Domo

Similar to a Chief of Staff or a senior Butler role consists primarily of managing household staff and functions.

The range of responsibilities a Butler or Majordomo May have will depend on the employer and household, these usually include most aspects of household, personal, and guest services including:

• Executing social events (i.e. table settings, floral displays)
• Travel preparations, packing, and unpacking
• Wardrobe transitions
• Art and wine collections
• Handle complex schedules
• Supply stock and sourcing of favorite best items
• Supervision of service staff, landscaping, maintenance, etc.
• Protocols and manners of communication and service
• Training staff

Personal Assistant

Personal Assistants serve a wide range of principals: from the Hedge Fund founder to a senior socialite or philanthropist to a busy mom juggling homes, vacations, kids, and personal priorities.

A Personal Assistant is responsible for:

• Organizing the social and professional demands of the principal
• Coordinating with the office, family/friends, vendors, and family offices
• Organizing Calendars, social media technology, advance preparations, and financial matters