Managing a full household staff can be a complex task. For households requiring a full team of domestic staff, efficient management is essential for smooth-running operations of the entire estate. Effectively managing a team of professional household staff requires effective communication, organization, and leadership skills. In this blog post, we’ll provide tips for successfully managing a team of household staff, including types of management roles and ways to set a high bar for your team of domestic staff.

If you require more than one or two household staff members, you employ a team of domestic staff. Here are some of the professional roles you may need to employ to ensure the smooth operations of your home or estate with multiple household staff managers:

-Household Manager
-Estate Manager
-Nanny
-Nanny/Household Manager
-Newborn Care Specialist
-Private Chef
-Personal Cook
-Personal Assistant
-Family Assistant
-Special Needs Caregiver
-Housekeeper
-Property Manager
-Butler
-Governess
-Chauffer/Valet
-Groundskeeper
-Household Office Staff
-Yacht Staff

The number and types of domestic staff required depends on the size of the estate and the employer’s unique needs.

You don’t have to manage your team of household staff alone. If you employ a team of domestic staff, you’ll greatly benefit from employing a hierarchy of staff, with professional management staff that oversees the smooth operations of the entire domestic staff team. What are the management roles for professional domestic staff?

-Estate Manager / Household Manager: Also known as a property manager, house/family manager, or major-domo, this role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the residence, assigning tasks to other household staff members, and ensuring the utmost comfort of the family. Today, candidates for these positions are highly experienced tech-savvy. In addition to their staff management roles, they may also be responsible for overseeing household security, maintaining the inventory of household supplies, and ensuring the family’s errands are acted out efficiently.
-Personal Assistant / Family Assistant: These professionals provide support to the individual or family in various tasks, such as managing the household’s calendar, booking travel and hotel arrangements, and handling personal correspondence. They are often responsible for organizing social events and making travel arrangements. Experienced personal and family assistants may take on management roles for other domestic staff as well.
-Household Coordinator: This role focuses on coordinating the various aspects of a household, such as scheduling, event planning, and ordering supplies. They may also be responsible for managing household budgets and They work closely with other staff members to ensure the smooth operation of the home.
-Executive Housekeeper: This role is responsible for managing the housekeeping staff, overseeing cleaning and organizing tasks, and maintaining the overall cleanliness and appearance of the home. For large properties that require multiple cleaning staff members, an executive housekeepers is essential to ensure that all areas are thoroughly tidied and deep cleaned regularly. This role may also be responsible for maintaining cleaning supply inventory and ordering supplies as needed.
-Nanny Manager / Nanny/Household Manager: This role combines the responsibilities of a nanny and a household manager. They not only care for the children but also handle tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing the family calendar, and running errands. In households where multiple childcare staff are required, a nanny manager may also be responsible for managing a team of nannies.
-Governess: A governess is responsible for the education and development of the children in the household. They may work closely with the parents and other household staff members to create a well-rounded learning environment. In the hierarchy of household staff, a governess may have executive responsibility over tutors, nannies, or housekeepers.
-Private Chef: These professionals are responsible for planning and preparing meals for the family, taking into account their dietary preferences and any special dietary needs. They may also be responsible for grocery shopping and managing the kitchen inventory. Within large households or households that frequently host events and parties, a private chef may have management roles over other kitchen or serving staff.

Each of these management roles plays a crucial part in ensuring the smooth operation of a household, allowing families to focus on their busy lives while their estates are well-maintained by a team of professional domestic staff.

One of the most important ways to ensure a team of domestic staff runs smoothly is clear expectations from the get-go. Household staff employers must be precise in their job descriptions, expected roles and responsibilities, and standard of care. Each household staff member must have clearly-defined roles and duties. With a full team of domestic staff, a hierarchy of household staff is necessary to ensure efficient operations for the entire estate. Clear expectations help prevent confusion and gaps in household needs being met.

It’s imperative to establish a written contract that outlines the terms of employment, including working hours, compensation, and any additional benefits or responsibilities. Domestic staff members must thoroughly understand their roles and responsibilities in order to effectively contribute to the household. These responsibilities may need regular or periodic updating as the needs of the household evolve and grow. Experienced household staff managers have the experience and skills to organize regular team meetings as well as to recognize when a more thorough re-organization of responsibilities is required to increase household staff efficiency.

A smooth-running estate requires the industry’s top household staff professionals. To ensure you’re hiring the best of the best, thorough vetting is mandatory. This includes background checks, professional and character reference checks, previous employment verification, and thorough interviews with each candidate. Furthermore, with a full team of domestic staff, the culture of your household staff team comes into play. Not every qualified candidate will be a great fit for your particular household or estate – it’s essential to ensure that they fit in will with the rest of your team as well.

Managing a full team of household staff is a full time job in and of itself, requiring effective communication, organization, and leadership skills. Delegating this role to professional household management staff is a wise choice to ensure the smooth operation of your home or estate. Hiring professional support and establishing a hierarchy of domestic staff means that you can focus on your busy life, knowing that your household is in expert hands. By establishing clear job descriptions for key management roles, setting expectations and contracts, and hiring thoroughly vetted staff, you can ensure a smooth and successful working relationship with your household staff. Contact us today for help with managing your team of household staff.