Senior Manager, Estate Operations

Hansell Tierney; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Hansell Tierney is assisting a private family office in Palm Springs, CA, to hire a Senior Manager, Estate Operations. The role oversees three primary estates and related properties, guiding staff, contractors, and vendors to uphold exceptional standards of maintenance, hospitality, and readiness for principals and guests.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years managing luxury estates, strong leadership, and expertise in operations, capital projects, and budget control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in estate operations or property management.
• 10+ years managing private estates or luxury residential properties.
• 10+ years of management with multi-property oversight and 20+ staff.
• 5+ years in hospitality or high-touch service settings.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, contracts, and procurement.
• Strong communication, organization, and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of multiple residential properties and offices.
• Lead estate employees, contractors, and vendors to maintain high standards.
• Identify process improvements for efficiency and service quality.
• Coordinate with leadership to fulfill property-related requests.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability across teams.
• Manage preventative maintenance and capital improvement projects.
• Coordinate preparations for visits by principals and guests.
• Monitor budgets, contracts, and vendor performance.
• Prepare reports on expenditures and financial performance.
• Develop emergency procedures and coordinate with local services.

Skills

Estate Operations

Leadership

Budgeting

Vendor Management

Hospitality

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location: Indian Wells / Palm Springs, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Schedule: Onsite, with flexibility for evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency response

Compensation: $190,000-$200,000 Base + Annual Bonus Eligibility

Summary

We are currently helping our client, a private family office, with their search for a Senior Manager, Estate Operations in the Palm Springs area of Southern California.

This position is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of luxury residential properties and supporting facilities, ensuring exceptional standards of property maintenance, operations, and hospitality.

The Senior Manager will lead local employees, contractors, and vendors while managing budgets, capital improvements, preventative maintenance, and property readiness. Working closely with estate leadership and other internal teams, this individual will ensure that residences are maintained to the highest standards and prepared for visits by the principals, family members, and guests.

The ideal candidate brings significant experience managing complex private estates, exceptional leadership and organizational skills, strong technical knowledge of property operations, and a commitment to discretion, service, and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

Estate Operations and Leadership

• Oversee daily operations of three primary residential properties, two supporting offices, and additional residences and seasonal rental properties.
• Lead and coordinate estate employees, contractors, and service providers to maintain exceptional operational standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational processes, service quality, efficiency, and consistency across properties.
• Collaborate with estate leadership and internal teams to fulfill property-related requests and initiatives.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and communication across the estate team.

Property Maintenance and Capital Projects

• Oversee preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs, and upkeep of buildings, grounds, equipment, and vehicles.
• Manage residential construction, renovations, and capital improvement projects from planning through completion.
• Coordinate maintenance of complex building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other mechanical infrastructure.
• Forecast major equipment and infrastructure replacement needs.
• Ensure properties remain in exceptional condition and operationally ready throughout the year.

Hospitality and Family Support

• Coordinate property preparations for visits by principals, family members, and guests.
• Oversee household readiness, stocking, cleaning, and related hospitality services.
• Maintain records of preferences and service requirements to ensure consistency and personalized experiences.
• Work collaboratively with household and hospitality teams to deliver seamless service.

Vendor and Contract Management

• Identify, evaluate, negotiate with, and manage high-quality third-party vendors.
• Oversee contractors supporting housekeeping, landscaping, maintenance, events, and specialized property services.
• Monitor vendor performance, service quality, budgets, and contract compliance.
• Review proposals, invoices, and expenditures for accuracy and alignment with operational expectations.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Develop and manage property operating budgets.
• Analyze expenditures, forecast capital needs, and identify opportunities for operational efficiencies.
• Prepare reports and recommendations regarding maintenance, repairs, capital investments, and operational improvements.
• Maintain appropriate financial controls and accountability.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Develop and maintain emergency response procedures for property incidents, fires, and other emergencies.
• Establish relationships with local emergency service providers.
• Serve as an emergency point of contact and coordinate responses when needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 10+ years of private estate, luxury residential property, country estate, or closely related property management experience.
• 10+ years of management experience, including oversight of at least three direct reports, multiple operational functions, and teams totaling 20 or more employees.
• 5+ years of hospitality or high-touch service experience.
• Experience overseeing construction, renovations, preventative maintenance, and capital improvement projects.
• Strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and procurement experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop budgets, manage expenditures, and analyze financial performance.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage complex operations independently while remaining hands-on when necessary.
• Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Flexibility to accommodate nontraditional schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations.

Preferred

• Experience managing multiple luxury residences or private family estates.
• Familiarity with sophisticated residential building systems, A/V technology, landscaping, vehicles, and recreational equipment.
• Experience working within private clubs, gated communities, or luxury resort environments.
• Experience supporting family recreation, guest services, and personalized hospitality programs.

Compensation and Benefits

Employment: Full-Time, Direct Hire, Exempt.

Benefits information will be confirmed with the client. The organization offers a professional, service-oriented environment supporting complex private estate operations.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and able to satisfy applicable background screening requirements. Any sponsorship restrictions will be confirmed with the employer.

About Hansell Tierney

Hansell Tierney is a woman-owned staffing and recruiting firm founded in 2001. We partner with organizations and candidates to connect talented professionals with meaningful opportunities. Our approach is grounded in discretion, service, integrity, and accountability.