Our client is looking to hire a live-in Assistant Housekeeper for a well-established, busy formal country home, which is highly respected for the wonderful service delivered by the existing team members.
The Assistant Housekeeper will support the Head Housekeeper and Butler with a wide range of housekeeping and laundry tasks, and will need to work with the other members of team, to help deliver the highest levels of service to the principals, their family and guests.
The assistant housekeeper must be able to work well on their own, or fit in seamlessly with the highly skilled and professional team including: Head Housekeeper, Lady's Maid, Butler and Chef.
Additionally, the Assistant Housekeeper will be expected to travel with the other members of the team, to properties in: Scotland, Switzerland, South of France, possibly Australia, as/or when required. It is Important to Note: the Assistant Housekeeper will generally be required to travel with The Principals to Switzerland for Christmas and New Year.
Candidates are expected to have worked in respected 5* deluxe hotels, and/or Palaces and/or Ambassadorial Residences, and/or the private homes of UHNWIs.
The job is offered with a lovely 2-bedroom cottage, along with a generous allowance to cover utilities.
NB. A driver is essential, as the client's homes and the accommodation offered are in semi-rural locations
SALARY
Circa £40,000- £50,000 PA Gross (DOE) + 2 Bed Cottage
LOCATION
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
POSITION
Assistant Housekeeper
TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD
Family, Titled Family, Professional / Philanthropist, Formal Household, Travelling
PERKS
Own self contained 2 bedroom cottage (Due to the travelling nature of this position is not suit to candidates with dependents or pets)
- Service allowance
- Workplace pension
- Pool car provided (for work purposes)
- Uniform will be provided
Roles and Responsibilities
The Assistant Housekeeper is employed to work alongside the Senior Housekeeper to ensure that the house is constantly well maintained. The property should be kept in a “prepared” state at all times. It is essential that the cleaning and general maintenance of the house is kept well under control. Occasionally preparing a family meal for the Principals/guests may be required.
- Tidy up anything from the ground floor Reception Rooms and Gun Room.
- Preparation of breakfast as required.
- Ensure that all service areas (to include the Kitchen, Laundry Room, Butler’s Pantry and back staircase) are clean and well organised.
- Laundering (to include washing, ironing and repair or alteration) as follows:
- All family laundry when in residence..
- To take clothes/linen to the dry cleaners when required.
- Items for dry cleaning to be noted in the “Laundry Book”.
- Vacuuming of the carpets daily if required, otherwise twice weekly or as necessary.
- Rugs should be swept and not vacuumed.
- Cleaning of grates, vacuuming and laying the fires.
- Bed linen should be changed every 4-5 days when in residence.
- Cleaning of the inside of the interior windows throughout.
- Cleaning of all furniture, including but not limited to soft furnishings, antique and other furniture, rugs and carpets.
General Responsibilities:
- Close communication with the Senior Housekeeper/Head Butler regarding any maintenance and repairs required.
- Any household breakages and damages to items from the Butler’s Pantry should be reported to the Head Butler..
- Monitor contractors in the house and ensure their work is carried out in a tidy fashion.
- When the Principals are in residence, it is expected that the dog feeding area is left clean.
- Dog walking when required.
- Kitchen/Toilets in Swimming Pool area to be cleaned. Fridges to be replenished.
- Shower/Steam Room in Spa area to be kept clean and tidy.
- When the family is away, it is necessary to maintain a programme of thorough “Spring cleaning”.
- Keep an eye on the flower arrangements and houseplants.
- The Assistant Housekeeper may be asked to help out in the evening when there is a dinner party.
- Security: Report any incident details to Security Operatives on duty.
- If the family is not in residence and the house is left empty for whatever reason it is essential that the house is locked.
- Any other cleaning/maintaining of family/guest areas on the Estate as directed by the Senior Housekeeper.
In addition:
- Taking on the duties of the Lady’s Maid on her days off/holiday.
- Travelling with the family as required.
- Shopping as required.
- Occasionally, the Assistant Housekeeper may be asked to prepare a meal for the family.
- Shoes and boots to be cleaned in conjunction with the Senior Housekeeper/Head Butler.
- Cleaning of wooden floors
- High dusting.
- Ensure fridges and freezers are kept clean and tidy0
- Cleaning lights and chandeliers in conjunction with the Senior Housekeeper/Caretaker.
- Answer the front door and taking any relevant messages – if in doubt refer caller to a senior member of staff in the house if present or the Estate Office.
- If the family returns late after a trip away, the Assistant Housekeeper may be asked to help out “out of hours”.
Accommodation
Lovely self-contained 2 Bedroom Cottage
Entry Requirements
It is expected that you will have at least five years’ experience, be adaptable to change and embrace new challenges
Candidates should be educated to an acceptable level and be able to demonstrate a wide range of skills and knowledge within your respective discipline.
Candidates with a minimum of 5 years experience, well spoken, discreet, well presented and quick to learn and have a very good attention to detail.
Eligibility
Candidates must have the legal requirements to work in the UK and excellent checkable references
A valid DBS will be required
