Our returning client is seeking a highly-organised, energetic and efficient live-in housekeeper, who is happy to work alone and as part of a team. Working in a truly beautiful, interior-designed and highly stylised holiday home located in the heart of Provence, the successful candidate will be experienced in housekeeping and laundry, and will have extensive knowledge of the care procedures needed to properly maintain both high-end soft and hard finishes. Candidates must be hands-on, able to take responsibility, be an excellent communicator (French mother- tongue or fluency in spoken French a must, spoken English or German), and possess a keen eye for detail, a methodical and meticulous approach to tasks, combined with discretion and trustworthiness.
Responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the interiors of all the buildings on the property (main house / tennis and pool pavilion / various staff accommodations), along with the care of furniture, soft furnishings, works of art and fittings, the objective is to maintain the property in a permanently ready state - so the family or guests can arrive with minimal notice. For the main part the housekeeper will work alone, however, a travelling team (lady's maid / chef / butler ) will be available to assist when the family are in residence for extended periods.
The housekeeper is also responsible for both personal and household laundry, which includes caring for fine, hand-embroidered bed and table linens, consequently the housekeeper must really enjoy laundry work! (There is a professional laundry, with top of the range washing machines, dryers and a sheet-press).
Able to update and maintain inventories of table linen, bed linen, and towel inventories and keep accurate records for household expenses. Undertake deep cleaning routines when time allows during the quiet winter months. Create and implement a housekeeping procedure manual and programme which will ensure everything is cared for and kept in a state of readiness. Prepare a written report for the owner on a monthly basis and liaise regularly with her office.
The housekeeper will need to work closely with the resident Caretaker for maintenance and repair schedules, property security and access, and monitoring contractors inside the buildings; and with the Head Gardener, to ensure that the seasonal produce from the gardens (fruit, vegetables and cut flowers) is available and used during visits.
The property includes: 7 bedrooms ensuite in the main house / 4 bedroom staff house / 3 bedroom guest house and other accommodations used by live in staff
SALARY
Circa 35,000 to 40,000 Euros per annum
POSITION
Live In Housekeeper
TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD
Family, Titled Family, Professional / Philanthropist, Formal Household, Rural Location
LANGUAGE
French and spoken English or German
Roles and Responsibilities
- Daily opening up procedure:
- Unlock the doors and disarm burglar alarm system, if family not in residence.
- Switch on (or off) lights as necessary.
- Open and arrange curtains.
- Tidy the ground floor Reception Rooms.
- Check all light bulbs and replace if not working, or request Caretaker to do so.
- Provisioning of the house for family visits - shopping for food, drinks, flowers.
- Ensure that all service areas (kitchen, offices, butler’s pantry, ironing room, laundry room, and staircases) are clean and well organised.
- Laundering (to include washing, ironing and repair or alteration) as follows:
- All family laundry when in residence.
- All bed and table linen.
- Fragile garments are to be washed by hand.
- Vacuuming of the carpets daily during visits, otherwise weekly or as necessary. The vacuum should not be used in the house until everyone is awake.
- Cleaning of grates, vacuuming and laying the fire on the ground floor as required. Only seasoned wood to be used – brought in by the Caretaker.
- Bed linen should be changed every 3-4 days when the family is in residence.
- Closing down procedure:
- Close curtains.
- Leave on certain lights.
- Switch off unnecessary appliances.
- Lock doors as necessary.
- Set burglar alarm, if family not in residence.
General Responsibilities:
- Supervise and work alongside part-time housekeeper, if one is present.
- Prepare all the required bedrooms and bathrooms for the family and guests with the correct linen and towels, soaps etc, bathrobes, water, etc.
- Use flowers from the garden, or order, arrange and place flowers in the key reception rooms and principal bedrooms before and during visits. Ensure that there are no spillages. Water, deadhead, trim stems and replace any arrangements as necessary. The head gardener will provide indoor plants – these are to be monitored regularly by the housekeeper.
- Prepare meals if required and serve at table and clear away. If a chef and butler are present, undertake the usual household duties.
- Assist the family and guests with any requirements they have.
- Unpack and pack suitcases for the family and any guests if assistance is required.
- Clean the shoes and boots of family and guests if required.
- Clean and regularly check all secondary buildings (pool and tennis pavilions, guest accommodation, offices).
- Weekly meeting with the Caretaker to review any planned maintenance/repairs and contractors expected on site.
- Monitor contractors in the house in liaison with the Caretaker. Ensure their work is carried out in a tidy fashion and ensure all Contractors remove their footwear or wear overshoes. All contractors should be supervised when working in the house.
- Wind the clocks (once a week).
- Clean the inside of the windows throughout, including their thresholds, assisted by the Caretaker for windows at height.
- When the family is not in residence for long periods of time, maintain a programme of thorough “Spring cleaning” and high dusting. To include the kitchen range and all kitchen copper pots, fridges, freezers, bathroom cupboards, wardrobes, storage cupboards, all service areas across the property.
- Clean and care for all brass doorknobs, fixtures and fittings. (Silverware and crystal to be cared for by the visiting Butler).
- Remove and carefully launder covers from garden furniture, sun loungers, and outdoor cushions.
- Ensure household stores are kept sufficiently stocked with cleaning materials and stored tidily. Keep a stock of toiletries for bathrooms in the linen cupboard.
- Ensure there is an adequate stock of light bulbs with the Caretaker.
- Keep the dog feeding area clean, and dog food stocked when a visit is planned.
- Any household breakages and damages to items from the Silver Room and Butler’s Pantry must be reported and recorded in the Damages and Repairs Book immediately.
- Instruct the window cleaner to come in and clean the exterior of the house and secondary buildings in the spring and again when needed in the summer.
- Organise the chimney sweep on an annual basis.
- Update crystal, silver, china and linen inventories – conduct an annual review and present to the owner.
- Preparation and serving meals for the family, if required.
Accommodation
- Separate cottage - decorated and furnished to a high standard
- All bills included
- Use of a car
Eligibility
- Candidates must have the legal right to work in France
- A positive, can-do attitude.
- Uniform to be worn at all times whilst on duty when the family is in residence.
- Driver with a full clean licence
- A minimum of 4 years of experience
- Excellent checkable references
- DBS or Casier Judiciaire
