The role of the House Manager
A House Manager is a highly skilled senior professional responsible for the smooth day-to-day operation of a private household. The role involves overseeing staff, managing household operations, coordinating external contractors, and ensuring service standards are consistently maintained.
While the position has its roots in traditional private service roles, such as the butler, the modern House Manager role has evolved significantly. Today, responsibilities often extend to budgeting, staff management, property oversight, and operational planning across one or multiple residences.
A House Manager must be highly organised, proactive, and discreet, with the ability to anticipate the needs of the household and respond effectively to changing priorities. They typically act as the primary point of contact for principals, household staff, and third-party contractors, ensuring clear communication and efficient coordination at all times.
Quality of Our House Managers in London and Internationally
All House Managers represented by Bespoke Bureau are carefully selected and well known to our consultants. Candidates are typically recommended through trusted industry networks, former clients, or existing candidates, ensuring a consistently high standard from the outset.
Our House Managers typically have a minimum of five years’ experience working in a similar role within a comparable private household or estate environment. All candidates are thoroughly reference-checked, hold the appropriate right-to-work documentation, and, where applicable, have up-to-date DBS checks. English fluency is standard across all House Manager placements.
Beyond formal credentials, our House Managers understand the operational demands, discretion, and service standards required within modern private households. They are experienced in managing staff, coordinating third-party contractors, and supporting principals in environments that require professionalism, flexibility, and attention to detail.
Cost of a House Manager
Salaries for House Managers typically start from around £75,000 gross per annum, depending on the scope of the role, working hours, household complexity, location, and specific requirements.
Cost of a House Manager – Overseas Placements
For overseas placements, including the Middle East and other international locations, House Manager salaries are often in the region of £90,000 per annum and above, depending on the role and location. In addition to salary, employers are typically responsible for work visas, relocation arrangements, travel, and accommodation or board, where applicable.
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Private household client, London
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Private client
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We hire all our butlers from Bespoke Bureau and train our staff with the British Butler Academy. They are the best.
Five-star hotel, London
Clever!
No fuss, efficient service, and excellent candidates. Thank you!
UHNW private household
Duties of a House Manager
A House Manager holds a broad and senior operational remit, overseeing the smooth running of a private household and ensuring that all aspects of daily life, staff management, and service delivery are coordinated effectively.
House Managers represented by Bespoke Bureau are experienced in managing complex households and adapting to the specific needs of each client. Typical responsibilities may include:
- Acting as the primary point of contact for principals, staff, contractors, and guests
- Overseeing property maintenance, repairs, and household operations
- Managing, supervising, and coordinating domestic staff, including housekeepers, chefs, and butlers
- Supporting the recruitment and onboarding of household staff
- Training and guiding domestic staff to maintain service standards
- Managing household budgets, payments, and administrative tasks
- Overseeing procurement and stock control of household goods
- Coordinating and managing events, functions, and private entertaining
- Organising guest arrivals, stays, and special occasions
- Ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across one or multiple residences
House Manager Roles and Working Arrangements
We recruit House Managers for a wide range of household structures and working arrangements, including:
- Full-time and permanent roles
- Temporary and fixed-term positions
- Live-in and live-out roles
- Combined House Manager / Butler roles
- House Manager / Personal Assistant roles
- House Manager / Chauffeur roles
Top Skills Required for a House Manager
A successful House Manager must combine strong leadership skills with discretion, judgement, and operational competence. Whether based in London or internationally, the role requires the ability to manage complex households while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
Key skills and attributes typically include:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong organisational ability and attention to detail
- Discretion, confidentiality, and sound professional judgement
- The ability to work independently and take initiative
- An in-depth understanding of household operations and service standards
- The ability to anticipate a principal’s preferences, routines, and expectations
- Flexibility and adaptability in dynamic household environments
Step by step
How it works
Initial Consultation
Contact us by phone or email to discuss your House Manager recruitment requirements. We take the time to understand your household structure, expectations, and priorities before preparing a tailored job specification. You will then receive our agency information and terms for review.
Candidate Shortlist
Once terms are agreed, we present a carefully selected shortlist of suitable House Manager candidates. Interviews can be arranged in person or via video, depending on your preference. Trial periods may also be arranged where appropriate.
Offer & Appointment
After you have selected your preferred candidate, we support you through the offer stage. This can include assistance with drafting the offer, employment contract, and guidance on practical and contractual arrangements..
Ongoing Support
We remain in contact with both client and candidate throughout the placement period, providing ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition and a successful long-term arrangement.
Why Choose a House Manager in London Through Bespoke Bureau?
Bespoke Bureau specialises in the recruitment of experienced House Managers for private households in London and internationally. Our approach is discreet, consultative, and tailored to the specific operational needs of each household.
We work closely with clients to understand household structure, staff dynamics, and expectations before introducing suitable candidates. Rather than relying on volume-based shortlists, we focus on careful, manual candidate selection to ensure alignment in experience, working style, and professionalism.
All House Manager candidates are thoroughly screened and assessed for leadership capability, discretion, and experience within comparable private household environments. From initial consultation through to placement and beyond, we provide ongoing support to ensure continuity, clarity, and a successful long-term arrangement.
Bespoke Bureau holds a 4.9/5 rating on Google Reviews, based on feedback from clients following successful domestic staff placements.