Senior House Manager

Sugarella Cooks & Staff; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious estate management firm seeks a Senior House Manager to oversee a large estate in Northumberland for a busy shooting season. The role includes managing housekeeping and service staff, ensuring the estate is meticulously maintained, and being a primary contact for high-profile clients. Ideal candidates will have extensive management experience and a flexible working approach to meet client needs. A suitable property for personal use is provided, along with a work vehicle.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Work vehicle provided

Flexible time off when not in service

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing teams in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with high-profile clients.
• Experience in private households or luxury service environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee housekeeping, laundry, and front-of-house services.
• Ensure meticulous maintenance of the estate during the shooting season.
• Organize staff rotas and communicate with the Head Game Keeper.

Skills

Team management

Customer service excellence

Flexibility to work varied hours

Communication skills

Job description

A Temporary or Permanent Senior House Manager is required for a large, prestigious Estate in Northumberland for the Grouse shoot season. This is an extremely high end, busy household, looking after High Profile clients and we are looking for someone with plenty of experience managing teams and working for demanding clients, ideally in private households, high end hotels/ski chalets/super yachts.

The season starts 12th August, so you will have some time to become familiar with the staff and household and make sure everything is ready.

It will be overseeing housekeeping and laundry staff so making sure the house is meticulous and rotas for the shooting organised.

It will also be leading the FOH service with 2 x FOH assistants. There will also be 2 chefs there who are familiar with the systems.

It is essential the candidate is a team player, with a hard working attitude with proven success managing teams of staff, and experienced working to a top level with demanding clients. You must be confident being the main point of contact with the Principal. You must enjoy working in the countryside, and preference is for a driver. Work vehicle provided.

A typical week would be as follows:

Night 1 – between 10-20 guests arrive for dinner. (20 in August down to 10 in September and October). 3 -4 courses restaurant style. Chef and his team deal with but needs oversight, pre dinner drinks etc. Rooms are like staying in a 5* hotel, turn down service etc.

Day 1 – 1st Shoot day, breakfast, elevenses on the fell, lunch on the fell, afternoon tea at the Hall and then dinner. Needs to be very flexible and timings vary a lot and need to communicate with Head Game Keeper.

Night 2 – same guests stay for dinner.

Day 2 – As Day 1 except guests depart after afternoon tea and new ones arrive.

The whole process then starts again so rooms need to be turned round quickly.

There may be 2 days in the middle of the week with no shoot but the Principal and his family will still be there and need looking after. Sunday is a non shooting day but there is a dinner that evening ready for shooting on Monday.

Shift pattern: It is essential that this candidate is fully flexible to work weekends, evenings and work when the Principal is in residence.

If you are employed on a Permanent basis, there is full flex to take days off when the Principal is not in residence. You will need to ensure all jobs are getting done and look after the property oversee any out of season maintenance etc, ensuring the house is guest ready at all times. A property will be provided which is suitable for someone with a partner and pets.

Temp – there will be days and time off, best taken when no shoot party and they should organise the staff rota such there are people looking after principal and family. Accommodation is a room in a large staff house in the village. (5 min walk from house).

Rate of Pay: Depends on Experience, but a properly paid role dependent on salary expectation/previous experience.

As this is a rural location, it would be beneficial you were a driver with your own car to be able to use on your days off/personal use.

If you are interested in this role, please e mail [e-mail] with your CV.