Estate manager job description

house manager duties and responsibilities

What does an estate manager do in 2024?

An Estate Manager is, essentially, a glamorized form of a Personal Assistant and the position is also called a Household Manager. The two are used interchangeably by some, but there is a difference. Estate Managers oversee all aspects of the function of a large estate or mega-mansion, with many administrative duties. No estate manager job description at any property could be alike because every estate is different.

Responsibilities can vary quite a bit between properties

Their duties include but aren’t limited to:

Plan parties and social gatherings, which can be for hundreds of people.
Create household manuals for use by domestic staff. This important book, also called a “House Manual,” contains an at-a-glance spreadsheet with names and numbers to electricians, plumbers, nannies and anyone else in charge of the function of systems in the home. In the old-school days they were 3-ring binders. Now many of these systems are computerized (we work with experts in this field if you need one of these systems).
Assigning errands to PAs (all things A to Z): grocery shopping, getting the dry cleaning, gift shopping, etc.
Driving: If a full-time driver isn’t employed, then the estate manager (or a PA) can take on this role (e.g., picking up the children from school).
Oversight of the environment: When remodeling, restoration or construction occurs, then the estate manager will screen and supervise every step of the project (from inception to completion). This includes vetting the contractors that will be doing the work and confirming that their liability insurance is up to date.
Run and oversee the budget for the household, which could include multiple properties (accounts payable and receivable).
Management of travel arrangements for incoming and outgoing parties.
Maintain a detailed inventory of household appliances, furniture, art, etc., which also includes insuring the property to cover damage, loss or theft.
Exotic cars: Maintenance of car fleets to ensure they are insured, repaired and licensed.
Care for family pets: Delegating and coordinating walking, feeding, grooming and trips to the vet.
A responsible team lead: The estate manager is also in charge of the other domestic workers who work on the property: hiring, firing, training, performance reviews, coaching, etc.
Cleaning: Supervision and management of the housekeepers' cleaning duties and resources.
Answer phones, greet any guests that come to the home, and handle communications (emails, letters, invitations).
Maintain and manage the home’s security and computerized systems (entertainment center, sprinklers, etc.). For this reason, the Estate Manager must be very well-versed in technology, especially when managing multiple estates.
Assign tasks, large and small, to the domestic staff: maids, nannies, groundskeepers, chefs, security personnel, etc. They are also in charge of hiring the workers and screening their background.
Schedule both personal and professional calendars for the homeowners.
Wine cellar maintenance and inventory.
Maintenance: Ensure that everything on the property is maintained properly, which includes working with vendors and independent contractors for repairs.
Budgets: Maintenance and responsibility for all accounts payable and receivable for buildings and employees.
Etiquette: Most be well-versed in social etiquette, protocol, and experience in 5-star hospitality is a plus.

The Estate Manager will certainly be on call 24/7/365 and may even live on the estate grounds to be able to handle emergencies quickly.

Qualities and characteristics of a great estate manager

An estate manager's personal skills may include leadership, emotional intelligence, flexibility, adaptability, discretion, strong communication skills, honest, loyal to owner, and calm under extreme pressure.

As stated before, every household is different and there isn't just one, perfect job description for this position. The title of Estate Manager is usually with properties that exceed 20,000 square feet. An estate can be a sprawling property with guest houses, gardens, horse stables, etc. For smaller properties, a Household Manager title would be customary.

Salaries and benefits for these positions

Estate manager salaries can soar to $300,000

Salary can vary wildly in range, mostly depending on the amount of experience, education, level of responsibility, financial responsibilities, number of employees managed, business experience, real estate background, service industry experience, knowledge of estate management software, experience in private staffing, ability to plan and execute, and of course the size of the estate. These positions would typically start at $100,000 a year; but can top out at $300,000 for the most experienced candidates (usually holding a master's degree).

How to become an estate manager

There is no definitive path to becoming an estate manager for a high-net-worth family. The ultra-wealthy often look for transferable skills, which could include hotel management experience or other previously held jobs in private service. An ability to plan and execute multiple tasks issued by the employer will often be a prerequisite. A college degree related to real estate management or business would be helpful. Experience in something financial or dealing with budgets -- think accounting -- would also be helpful as estate managers are often managing large volumes of cash and credit.

Contact

If you're an employer, contact us for more information about hiring an estate manager. If you're a candidate looking for an estate manager job, then contact us here. We are especially interested in those who oversee multiple properties.

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