Prestige People
Location: North West London
Position: Full-Time, Live-In Domestic Couple
Salary: Competitive DOE, negotiable for the right candidates.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm with a one-hour lunch break
Accommodation: Separate three-bedroom house provided, with private garden
Vehicle: Provided for work-related and family duties
Start Date: As soon as they find the right candidate
Contract: Permanent, long-term
About the Position
Prestige People is searching for an exceptional and highly experienced Domestic Couple to take long-term responsibility for a substantial private family estate in North West London.
This is a significant and varied appointment for a polished couple who already understand the standards, discretion and required level of skills and expertise expected when working for UHNW principals.
This is not the primary home of the Family, so the successful couple will become the point of reference of the estate in the principal’s absence, ensuring that each aspect and area of the estate are properly maintained and remains at all times ready for the Principals’ arrival.
The Estate
The estate comprises a 7 bedroom main residence, outbuildings, gardens and grounds
The property is also used periodically for private entertaining and business meetings.
Household & Estate Management
Between you, the couple will take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day operation of the estate.
Responsibilities will include:
- General management and day-to-day oversight of the estate
- Carry out detailed housekeeping and household service, including cleaning, dusting, mopping, making sure that the house is consistently maintained to a high standard plus periodic deep cleaning
- Laundry, ironing, wardrobe management and household presentation
- Preparing rooms and changing the bed linens
- Monitoring and keeping household stocks and supplies
- Menu planning and grocery shopping
- Cooking and baking fresh, nutritious meals for the family and guests
- Butler duties
- Chauffeuring the family when required and maintaining the vehicles
- Handy man duties
- Day-to-day oversight of the Estate, with the ability to spot and anticipate any potential issue
- Liaising with and overseeing contractors and service providers
- Maintaining accurate records of suppliers, expenses and visitors
- Monitoring maintenance requirements, keeping an updated track of expenses and vendors
- Maintaining outbuildings, leisure facilities and storage areas
- Supporting and coordinating with other household staff
- Ensuring the estate remains operational, secure and beautifully maintained throughout the year
Competent IT skills are important, as the couple will use household systems and maintain appropriate records and communication with the rest of the team
Security
The couple will be responsible for ensuring an appropriate level of security and protection at the estate at all times.
Previous experience with the following would be highly advantageous:
- Alarm systems
- CCTV monitoring
- Responding appropriately to alarms or unusual activity, including property and boundary checks
- Keyholder duties
The family would particularly value candidates who have previously held this level of responsibility within another large, high level private residence.
Grounds & Property Care
You will oversee and assist the with garden duties if needed, such as leaf blowing around the property as well as the maintenance of the outdoor leisure areas particularly when the family are onsite.
Seasonal preparation is important. This may include bringing garden furniture out for the summer, preparing and treating outdoor furniture and ensuring facilities are ready ahead of the family’s arrival.
Specialist contractors will be used where appropriate.
The couple will, however, need to understand what contractors are doing, monitor the quality and progress of their work and communicate effectively with the family’s team.
Cooking
At least one member of the couple must be a genuinely accomplished family cook.
Chef-level cooking is not required, but it is a plus, and professional caterers will be engaged for larger events. However, the family expects fresh, nutritious and beautifully prepared everyday food to an excellent private-household standard.
The family particularly enjoys
- Italian and Mediterranean cuisine
- Organic and excellent-quality produce
- Balanced and nutritious meals
The cook should be confident planning menus, sourcing excellent ingredients and preparing meals for the family and smaller numbers of guests.
Guests, Butler Service & Events
The estate is occasionally used for entertaining and business events
The successful couple should therefore be polished and confident around visitors.
Responsibilities will include:
- Preparing the property ahead of guests arriving
- Butler and front-of-house duties
- Ensuring the property remains beautifully presented throughout
When the Principals Are Away
The usual working pattern will be:
Monday–Friday
8:00am–5:00pm
One-hour lunch break
When the family are in residence, greater flexibility will be required, with the couple being hands-on and prepared to work longer hours according to the requirements of the household.
About You
This appointment requires an established Domestic Couple who has experience in this type of context and already understand how to deliver a high private service.
Between you, you should offer:
- Exceptional private household and estate experience
- Experience delivering an extremely high standard of service
- Complete discretion and confidentiality
- Excellent spoken English and communication skills
- A positive, can-do attitude
- Be fit and energetic
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Trustworthiness and reliability
- Competent IT skills and outstanding organizational skills
- Confidence with household and security technology
- Contractor and supplier management experience
- Strong front-of-house skills
- Flexibility around the principals’ residence periods
- Full, clean driving licences for both candidates
- Excellent checkable references, clean DBS and right to work in the UK
- A genuine commitment to establish themselves in a long-term role
- One member of the couple must also be a strong and confident family cook.
Non smokers
The family wants longevity. They are looking for a couple who will learn the estate, understand its systems and become trusted long-term custodians of their UK home.
The successful couple should be naturally proactive and capable of managing their responsibilities without requiring constant instruction.
Accommodation & Package
A particularly attractive part of this appointment is the accommodation.
The couple will have their own beautiful three-bedroom house with private garden and private garage, situated separately within the estate, offering genuine privacy from the principal residence. Utility bills included.
The salary is competitive, depending on experience, negotiable for an outstanding and highly experienced couple.
Application
This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished Domestic Couple looking for a serious, long-term appointment within a substantial private estate in Northwest London.
The family is looking to appoint as soon as the right couple is identified.
Please send both CVs to:
Please quote “Domestic Couple – North West London” when applying.