THE LEADING EXCLUSIVE HOUSEHOLD STAFF RECRUITMENT AGENCY

 

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 Live-Out Handyman/Gardener Assistant ~ St Tropez

Our returning client is looking to fill a newly created handyman/garden assistant role at his large property in the Canebiers area of St Tropez. Applicants must live locally as accommodation cannot be offered with this role. The handyman will work under the direction of the Property Manager and full-time gardener. Prior gardening experience would be an advantage though not essential as long as the applicant is willing to assist with mowing, weeding etc when available. The main focus of this role is on the handyman duties however when not actively engaged in maintenance work on the property, the handyman will be expected to assist the gardening team.

Duties will include:

• All round general property maintenance of interior and exterior areas

• Cleaning of pool, pool house and general pool areas

• Cleaning and maintenance of terraces

• Cleaning and storage of exterior furniture

• Assist gardener with garden maintenance when available

• Cleaning of property vehicles

• Report weekly to the property manager with worklists and updates

Requirements:

• Good ‘hands-on’ proven maintenance skills

• Excellent letters of reference

• Lives close to St Tropez

• Good level of spoken English and also preferably French

• Clean driving license

• Willing to assist with maintenance work in large gardens

• Flexible and friendly approach

• Works well in a team or autonomously

This role offers the standard French CDI working 35 hrs per week however during the busy summer season some extra hours may be required, in this case the handyman will be given time off ‘in lieu’ when the Principal is not in residence.

Salary: €2.5k net pm ( poss. negotiable for tight candidate)

Start date: TBD

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House Manager ~ Italy

Our client is looking for an experienced House Manager to organise and maintain their property at a beautiful location in Italy. It is essential that applicants have a minimum of 5 years proven experience working as a House Manager for similar UHNW Families. The busy Principal generally spends around 12 weeks each summer in residence at this property with some occasional weekend visits outside of the summer season. The Manager will have responsibility for managing and co-ordinating all on-site staff and ensuring the property operates to the highest of standard at all times.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Ensuring smooth running of the property
• Managing and organizing the household staff [5 – 15 pax depending on time of year] including rotas and absence/holiday log, recruitment [full time and seasonal staff], training and appraisals.
• Household Administration including managing household budget and payroll in collaboration with the finance team.
• Setting up manuals, procedures, checklists and managing household inventories.
• Liaising with suppliers and contractors. Confident in interfacing with architects,
engineers and surveyors in the delivery of high-end projects [internally and externally] such as updates and large refurbishments
• Reporting to Principal/UK Family Office any problems and acting as main contact between contractors and Principal
• Reporting on weekly basis on the progress of any on-going works at the Villa.
• Ensuring that all systems operate properly with assistance from Head of
Maintenance (some technical knowledge required).
• Planning and organizing dinner parties, offsite meetings and events for up to 40 guests
• Running errands and assisting with making restaurant reservations within country.
• Driving services when required.
• Transportation bookings (car rental, airport pickups, drop offs).
• Managing Health & Safety requirements.
• Arranging household provisions – newspapers, flowers etc.
• Stocking of the preferred household supplies.
• Overseeing Wine cellar management with Head of Service– organisation, managing wine inventory. Discussing with Principal if stocks run low.
• Readiness of property for family’s / guests arrival
• Working very closely with the London Family Office.
Requirements:
• Proven minimum 5 years of experience in a similar position
• Excellent staff management, administration, front of house and service skills and the ability to work closely alongside some long-term employees.
• Responsible and autonomous, strong leader, able to motivate a team
• Responsive and rapid communicator
• Meticulous ‘eye for detail’ with 7* standards
• Flexibility is essential for this role
• Proactive & dynamic, willing to assist various departments where required
• Hardworking, discreet and trustworthy
• Speaking fluent English and Italian
• Budget-aware with ability to negotiate and research/locate best value items and services
• Good IT literacy
Excellent letters of reference from previous employers are essential.
Initially, during the trial period for this role, accommodation for the manager will be provided on-site, however once the trial period has been completed, the Principal will either rent a property locally for the manager or alternatively will pay a rental allowance for the manager to find a rental locally. The precise location of the property in Italy is confidential at this stage of the recruitment process.

Salary: TBD
Start date : ASAP

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Executive Personal Assistant ~ Switzerland/Gstaad

Our client is seeking a flexible, highly experienced self-sufficient executive personal assistant to provide support to him and his partner in their daily life. The EA must have good business acumen and an excellent understanding of the employer’s ongoing business situations. This is a collaborative position and the EPA will work closely with others to anticipate and be responsive to the family’s needs and will be reporting directly to the Principal while liaising with other trusted team members. The EPA will work in Switzerland with 3 days each week working on site in Gstaad.

Duties will vary and go far beyond the standard PA expectations. The EPA will serve as a gatekeeper and liaison for the organization, helping to develop streamlined systems to maximize family privacy while delivering both administrative and personal support. They will be working alongside an established household and business team assisting with a variety of operations including:

 

• Ensuring smooth-running of office

• Provide support to House Manager if required

• Assisting with project management

• Overseeing junior admin staff/3rd party services

• General administration

• Calendar/Diary management

• Lifestyle planning

• File management

• Research and preparation of reports

• Full concierge services

• Maintaining and updating healthcare files, appointments etc

• Consulting on annual budgeting

• Household expense oversight and control

• Contract reviews – suppliers/contractors etc

• Overseeing HR/maintaining personnel records/ insurance etc

• Invoice management

• Cash and expense reconciliation

• Assist with credit card and bank account matters

Requirements

• University degree or equivalent academic qualification

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience as UHNWI’s PA or equivalent combination of education and experience managing services delivery within a UHNW environment.

• Proven experience of observing strictest confidentiality

• Mother tongue level of English -  highly articulate when writing and speaking

• Knowledge of Italian, Spanish, French, German languages would an advantage though not essential

• Basic bookkeeping/financial admin experience essential

• Proactive critical thinker

• Accountability

• Able to distill complex information into concise and prioritized communications

• Good IT skills with advanced knowledge of both Google and Apple products

• Proven proficiency with Google Suite (calendar, drive, sheets, docs); calendaring programs; Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel); Zoom and other online video communication software; PM/messaging tools; quick learner of new apps

• Takes pride in being of service and anticipating the needs of a family

• Valid European driver’s license with clean driving record required

• Valid European Passport required

Applicants for this role must have a strong sense of responsibility and accountability, able to take the initiative, demonstrate tact and diplomacy and be able to quickly establish a rapport with the Principal, his advisors and staff. Resourcefulness, a high level of flexibility and a calm attentive attitude will be valued by this employer. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are essential. This is a very busy role requiring an EPA who is committed to their work and gains real satisfaction from providing solutions and services in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

Salary:TBD

Start date: TBD

 

Domestic Couple ~ St Moritz

An experienced domestic couple are required to work in a very large, newly constructed, hi-tech luxury chalet close to St Moritz. This is a permanent position for a couple who are seeking a stable and secure long term role working 5/6 days per week alongside the seasonal housekeeping staff as well as the personal maids, valets, butlers, chefs etc who travel with the Principal and their guests. The property will be used by the European employers each year from mid-January to mid/late-March; very occasionally one of them may visit for a long weekend outside of the winter high season months.  The position provides the caretaker couple with a new ground floor, one bedroom apartment.

Duties will include:

• General housekeeping

• Overall year round care and interior cleaning of the chalet

• Assisting Principal’s travelling staff where necessary

• Occasional informal table service

• Prepare simple continental breakfasts if required

• General property/pool/spa maintenance

• Clearing of snow

• Assist with heavier housekeeping duties

• Driving

• Liaising with suppliers and technicians

• Daily monitoring of all household systems

• Daily property maintenance

• Liaising with Principal’s estates manager

Requirements:

• Excellent relevant prior experience

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Both of the couple must speak English

• One of the couple must speak German, spoken Polish an advantage though not essential

• Good handyman/maintenance skills

• Flexible approach when Principals are in residence (time off given ‘in lieu’)

• Must like dogs (two small ones belonging to employer)

• Knowledge of HVAC systems

• Essential that one of the couple is very IT ‘savvy’

• Able to be trained by technicians in numerous household/spa/pool IT systems

• Excellent letters of reference from previous employers

 

The couple should have a flexible ‘can do’ approach as when Principals are in residence the couple will work long hours, 6 days per week. The days off will not always given to each of the couple on the same day or on the same days from week to week, they will be arranged according to the needs of the Principal that week.

Salary: CHF 120k gross pa

Start date: November ‘23

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Domestic Couple ~ Avignon

Our Australian clients are seeking a professional, experienced and multi-skilled domestic couple to take over from the current caretaking couple who are retiring after working at the property for several years. The large rural property located just south of Avignon, has 9 bedrooms and extensive landscaped gardens. It is a family property and is used by various family members throughout the summer months. During this busy period the workload is heavy, long hours/days will be required and any overtime worked will be given back as time off ‘in lieu’ when the employers are not in residence. The property is generally used in the summer months for around 16 weeks per year.

The male of the couple must be prepared to assist his partner with housekeeping and general guest service during the busy summer periods; family-style cooking, (continental breakfast, a light lunch and a one course dinner), is required daily when the property is in use; cooking services can be provided by either of the couple. This type of role requires a couple who will happily share each others workload at various times of the year.

Duties will include:

• 5* Housekeeping and laundry

• Family-style cooking (salads/pastas/grilled meats & fish etc)

• Setting and clearing of tables

• Household budgeting/expense control

• Monthly accounts

• Gardening

• Harvesting of fruits and vegetables

• House maintenance

• Pool care

• Occasional driving

Requirements:

• Prior domestic couple experience in villa or chalet

• Excellent experience in housekeeping, laundry etc

• Good cookery skills

• Knowledge of informal table/guest service

• Excellent gardening knowledge or a willingness to learn necessary skills

• Able to prepare simple accounts

• Good DIY skills

• Both of the couple to have driving licenses

• Fluent English/Some spoken French an advantage

• Excellent letters of reference

 

A one bedroom apartment is offered as accommodation with this role and the employers are happy to consider couples with a dog or cat. The retiring couple will be leaving mid to late December therefore the new couple should be available to start late December to mid-January.

Salary: TBD

Start date: TBD

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Live-in or Live-Out Property Manager ~ Var POSITION NOW FILLED

Our American client is seeking a top-level property manager to oversee and run his 10 bedroom luxury property in the Var region of France.

A very experienced, vibrant and motivated property manager is required to oversee and participate in the care and running of a beautiful 10 bedroom property in St Tropez. The Principal and his young family are in residence approximately 4 months each year, mainly in high season with some additional weeks or long weekends during school holidays throughout the year (except Xmas). 

Duties will include:

• Full oversight and running of large semi-rural property

• Budget control, cost analysis, insurance etc

• Creation of detailed maintenance plans and maintenance schedules for all systems and equipment of the residence

• Preparation of activity reports and property update reports

• Liaising with project managers where necessary

• Overseeing all maintenance - liaising with contractors and gardeners, etc.

• Ensure the house correctly staffed to service the needs of the Principal

• Management of personnel including training, planning and rota coordination

• Ensuring vehicles attached to the property are well-maintained and serviced

• Ensuring the property is well-stocked to ensure the smooth running of the property

• Ensuring that the residence is maintained in a state of readiness at all times

• Service and performance standards control

• Household inventory and stock control

• Maintaining a register of suppliers of products and services, building relationships and ensuring a high standard of supply for residences

 

Requirements:

• Several years of proven experience working as a Property Manager

• Computer literate, familiar with Excel and creating spreadsheets etc

• Excellent organizational skills

• Positive and proactive approach

• Excellent problem-solving skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Exceptional attention to detail

• Excellent team leader

• Experience in event planning and supervision

• Clean driving license

• Fluent French and English

• French residency

• Have considerable experience and knowledge in the management and running of a large luxury property

• A good knowledge of high level F&B service

 

A manager who lives locally is preferred although not essential as there is a small one bedroom apartment available as accommodation with this role. Applicants must have had at least 5 years prior experience working as a Property Manager in a similar type of property, must also hold a valid driving license, have EU nationality or current working papers for France.

Salary: €TBD

Start date: ASAP/TBD

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Domestic Couple ~ Vence POSITION NOW FILLED

A very experienced domestic couple is required to handle the day-to-day running, maintenance and upkeep of a large luxury villa located close to Vence. The owners are generally in residence for 3 months per year, mainly in the high season at which time a 7* level of service is required; a seasonal chef and  additional service and housekeeping staff are employed in the summer months however for the rest of the year the resident couple will be expected to clean and maintain the property; a gardening company visits several times per week. Applicants must have extensive experience of running this type of high level, high service property with a strong record of providing discreet and seamless guest services.

Interior duties will include:

• 5* Housekeeping and laundry

• Light, healthy cooking in absence of chef

• Prepare breakfast when required

• Inventory and stock control

• Occasional table service

• Laying of tables

• Flower arranging

• Overseeing seasonal teams

• Liaising with suppliers and contractors

Exterior duties will include:

• Backing up contracted gardening company

• Mowing and general garden maintenance

• General handyman and minor maintenance

• Appliance and vehicle maintenance

• Pool maintenance

• Setting out and closing up of pool areas morning and evening

• Troubleshooting

• Preparing monthly reports for local property manager

• Liaising with contractors and suppliers

• Driving

• Shopping and errands

A caretaker apartment located on the property is offered as accommodation with this role. Candidates must be able to speak fluent English and conversational French, have excellent letters of reference and have either EU nationality or valid documentation allowing employment in France.

Salary: TBD

Start date: TBD

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Live-In/Out Family Chef ~ St Tropez ~ Summer 2024 

Our regular client is seeking to advance book a very good family chef for summer next year. Starting work in mid June and finishing end of August or possibly mid-September.

Breakfast/lunch/dinner, 6 days per week. This client and his family enjoy light, healthy and varied international cuisines however there will be a few formal multiple-course meals required during the summer period when the chef will be expected to step-up from creating the more informal family meals to catering for a larger group of guests who are accustomed to a very high level of service, cuisine and presentation.

Accommodation at the property in St Tropez is available if required. The chef must also be able to drive, speak fluent English, some spoken French would be an advantage though not essential.

This is a very busy summer household and the family chef must be able to work well within a team, be happy to produce staff meals when required, have a calm, professional and respectful demeanour with a flexible approach to last minute changes and requirements.

The chef must work on a freelance basis and be able to legally invoice the client each month. Applicants must have EU nationality or be a registered French resident.

Salary: TBD

Start date: Mid June

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Senior Housekeeper/Gouvernante ~ Monaco POSITION NOW FILLED

Our clients are currently seeking an adaptable and experienced senior housekeeper ( possibly a land-based chief steward/ess) who is interested in assisting with the general housekeeping and management of an apartment in Monaco with occasional visits to the client’s Swiss and UK properties to ensure all is prepared for the Principal’s arrival. Working 39 hrs per week/2 days off per week on a Monaco contract - when the Principal is in residence the housekeeper and senior housekeeper will be required to work on a shift system with the second shift going into the evening hours as the Principal requires service from 8am to 10pm. The employer has a locally-based personal assistant/manager who deals with most of the general administration however the senior housekeeper will be expected to keep general expenditure accounts, arrange the housekeeping/staff rotas and oversee the care and servicing of the client’s vehicles in Monaco. This role could suit a chief steward/ess who has decided to work ashore and is happy to work in a ‘hand-on’ role alongside the junior housekeeper, as well as assuming some management duties.

Duties will include:

• 5* Housekeeping

• Informal table service

• Arranging housekeeping rota

• Ensuring high standards are maintained throughout the apartment

• Maintaining household accounts and inventory

• Liaising with family chef

• Arranging car valeting and servicing

Requirements:

• Excellent housekeeping and service skills

• Good organisational abilities

• Fluent English/some French an advantage

• Fluent Tagalog would be an advantage though not essential

• Excellent letters of reference

• Driving license

• Ability to travel occasionally to Switzerland and the UK

Applicants must be able to drive and live within easy travelling distance of Monaco. It is essential to have either EU nationality or the necessary working/residency papers for France. For a candidate who does not have an EU passport the employer is happy to apply for the necessary travel permits to Switzerland and the UK as their travel calendar is always arranged several months in advance allowing plenty of time to apply for the required paperwork.

Salary: €3.5k net pm negotiable

Start date: ASAP

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Gardener/Handyman ~ Nice POSITION NOW FILLED

Our returning client is seeking a professional gardener who has expert knowledge in the care and hands-on maintenance of a 4500m2 Provencal garden in Nice. The garden has mature trees and shrubs with a relatively small area laid to lawn. The employer is also considering making some changes to the garden in the future therefore it is essential he has a gardener who has good local horticultural knowledge. The gardener will also be required to perform general handyman and pool care duties. This role could possibly offer a local shared staff apartment as accommodation. The gardener will be the sole gardener employed at the property therefore must be prepared to do the daily physical work required to maintain a garden of this size.

Duties will include:

• General garden care and maintenance

• Consulting with manager/employer on required changes/plant replacement etc

• Pool and terraces care

• Exterior and interior home maintenance/DIY

Requirements:

• Excellent professional ‘hands-on’ gardening experience

• Good knowledge of local planting

• Good knowledge of tree and shrubbery care

• Good handyman skills

• Pool care experience

• Fluent English is essential as well as good spoken French

• Clean driving license with own transport

• Excellent references from previous employers

• A recent casier judiciare or DBS check

• Lives within easy travelling distance of Nice

• Have EU nationality or a current long term carte de sejour

 

Salary: TBD

Start date:ASAP

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Live-Out Property Manager ~ Cap Ferrat  POSITION NOW FILLED

An experienced house manager is required to run a large 2.5 hectares property/1300m2 house on Cap Ferrat, for a very busy client and his family. The Property Manager will be working closely with the employer’s family office. The house manager will ensure the efficient running of this client’s French home. The role will require flexibility and availability to work long hours when necessary.  Fluent English and a good level of conversational French is essential to carry out the proper execution of the role and its responsibilities. One of the family is currently in fairly long term residence at the estate with other family and guests visiting the property in the busy summer and holiday periods.

Duties will include:

• Responsible for household budgets and making sure accounts are maintained

• Monitoring purchases

• Overseeing maintenance - liaising with contractors and gardeners, etc.

• Logging of contractors to the property

• Understanding and operating house systems/TV/WIFI/Security

• Ensuring the property is stocked with items to ensure the smooth running of the property as a family home

• Expect to be hands on and able to assist other personnel with their duties if necessary

• Organisation of staff rotas (nanny/housekeeper/chef/tutors)

• Training staff in the provision of expected service standards

• Holiday planning and scheduling time off

• In conjunction with principal and office manager, responsible for carrying out disciplinary procedures for staff

• Ensure the house correctly staffed to service the needs of the Principal

• Oversee any personal requirements as and when needed

• Responsible for assisting with principal’s lifestyle planning

  

Requirements:

• Several years of proven experience working in a similar private family environment is essential

• Excellent, checkable references 

• Proven longevity in previous roles

• A valid criminal records certificate

• Exceptional ‘eye for detail’

• Candidates must be flexible in terms of providing the necessary time to serve the requirements of the house.

• Excellent language skills with English and French fluency

• Must be computer literate.

• Excellent team management abilities

• Cleaning driving licence/own vehicle

• Live within easy travelling distance of Cap Ferrat

Salary: TBD

Start date: TBD

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Please note: Applicants for positions based in France MUST have a current working visa/carte de sejour or be the holder of an EU passport