Job Description

Overview

A client in SoHo, Manhattan is seeking an experienced, proactive and highly flexible House Manager/Senior Housekeeper to join a supportive private household team. This is a hands-on role for someone who takes pride both in maintaining an immaculate home and in ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. The successful candidate will combine excellent housekeeping skills with the organisation, judgement and initiative needed to coordinate household operations, manage contractors and anticipate the principal’s needs.

The principal is in residence for most of the year, sometimes accompanied by family, pets and guests. The residence must remain fully maintained and ready for their arrival at all times. You will work closely with the other housekeeper, drivers, property management, and the family office, taking ownership of your responsibilities while contributing positively to the wider team.

Schedule and Flexibility

• Flexibility, positive attitude and a can-do mentality are fundamental requirements of this position. The household’s needs change, sometimes at short notice, and the successful candidate must be someone who enjoys that challenge.
• The standard schedule is Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. However, when the family is in residence the schedule will change to be 5 days of Monday through Sunday staggered between the 2 housekeepers to cover every day when the principal is residence; the schedule will then start at 6am/6:30am during weekdays and 7am on weekends. Flexibility is required, and a housekeeper is expected to be present daily when the principal is in residence, when friends are staying there, and to cover working full-time when the other housekeeper is on annual leave.
• Weekend work will be required when there are guests in residence. Between the two housekeepers, they do need to be able cover the weekend days between them (but can then take days off in the week provided there is always someone working). This is on average 1-2 weekends per month.• Must be available for on-site duties within a 6:30am–7:00pm window (these hours will be covered by two staff on a rotating basis) and be reachable outside these hours. This is not a role for a clock watcher or for someone who has immovable personal commitments.• Additional hours, changes to working days and last-minute adjustments may be required.• You must be able to provide full-time cover when the other housekeeper is on annual leave.• Work may be required on public holidays, particularly when the principal is in residence.

This role suits someone who sees a change as a challenge and responds calmly, constructively and with a genuine “can-do, will-do-what-it-takes” attitude.

Responsibilities

Household CoordinationTake day-to-day ownership of keeping the residence organised, well maintained and ready for the principal, family and guests. Anticipate requirements and resolve practical issues proactively.

Hands-on HousekeepingCarry out cleaning, deep cleaning, daily tidying, laundry and ironing to an excellent standard. This is not a purely supervisory position. The property is large and needs staff prepared to roll their sleeves up.

Specialist CareClean and care for antiques, artwork, delicate furnishings and finishes using appropriate methods.

Residence Readiness and ServicePrepare bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces for arrivals; provide table service and attentive, discreet support during stays.

Supplies and Household RecordsMonitor household stock, replenish supplies, organise grocery shopping and errands, and maintain accurate household expense records.

Property MaintenanceIdentify maintenance needs, liaise with property management, arrange access for and oversee the work of vendors and contractors, and follow through to ensure work is completed properly.

Food PreparationPrepare and cook healthy, simple meals when required.

Dog CareHelp care for the household’s dogs, including feeding, walking and supporting their daily routines as required.

Communication and ReportingMaintain clear communication with the principal, the other housekeeper and the family office. Provide weekly updates and flag issues promptly.

Team SupportWork collaboratively with colleagues and the wider household team, stepping in where needed to maintain smooth service.

Qualifications

The Person They Are Looking For

You will be an experienced private household professional who is comfortable combining senior housekeeping responsibilities with practical household management.

Essential qualities include:

• A genuine can-do attitude. You take ownership, find solutions and are willing to help wherever reasonably needed.• Adaptability and resilience. You remain positive and effective when priorities or arrangements change, including at the last minute.• Initiative with a team mindset. You are a self-starter who can work independently, while taking direction well and collaborating with the wider team.• Excellent organisation and follow-through. You notice what needs doing, anticipate requirements and ensure tasks are completed.• Clear, confident communication. You are comfortable speaking directly with the principal, the office, contractors and other third parties, with fluent spoken and written English.• Sound judgement and discretion. You understand the standards, privacy and professionalism expected in a private household.• Confidence with contractors. You can be courteous but firm, communicate expectations clearly and monitor work effectively.• A positive approach to dogs. You must like dogs and be comfortable providing hands-on care.• Capacity for an active, hands-on role. You are comfortable with the practical demands of housekeeping and household operations.• Service mentality. You demonstrate a service mentality of ‘no demand is too hard’. You enable and make things happen.

Requirements

Required Experience and Skills

• Relevant experience in a high-standard private household, ideally in a senior housekeeping or combined housekeeping and household-management role.• Excellent cleaning, laundry and ironing skills.• Experience caring for antiques and artwork.• Table-service experience.• Confidence using computers, household technology and digital communication tools.• Ability to maintain organised household expense records.• Experience coordinating vendors, contractors and maintenance.• Ability to prepare simple, healthy meals.

Salary and Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

• $55+ per hour, depending on experience and suitability• Overtime paid as applicable• Paid leave of 20 days’ PTO, inclusive of public holidays• Sick pay up to 10 days paid• A monthly healthcare reimbursement up to $1,000 for family cover, or $700 for single cover in accordance with ICHRA rules• Performance-related annual bonus• Retirement plan is not provided