Executive Housekeeper
Our Executive Housekeeper has the specialized knowledge in the cleaning of wealthy, fabulous homes, and they know how to organize their time and the time of others. No celebrity homeowner need worry that their fine home furnishings and accessories will be damaged with an Executive Housekeeper working for them. They are experienced with care of fine linens, marble, crystal, silver, and other valuable materials. They update their knowledge through further training. They know which products will do the best job of maintaining, cleaning, and disinfecting, and which products could harm their employer’s possessions. Not only will they know when an item needs specialized cleaning or repair by a professional, but they will know whom to call. They know the right tools and equipment for every job, and a wealthy employer may have complete confidence in having them purchase the supplies and equipment needed for the home. An experienced Executive Housekeeper will be able to supervise and train others, coordinate work schedules, and organize time for the most effective, efficient cleaning. They are completely trustworthy and able to complete any cleaning and caring task laid before them.
Salaries range from $40,000 - $60,000 a year.
Housekeeper
A beautifully cared-for home is the work of one or more Housekeepers. An experienced Housekeeper will know how to clean and keep the house in best order. The Housekeeper does anything necessary to maintain an impeccable appearance in a home and to ensure the value of the possessions trusted in their care. They will usually follow a daily schedule and will understand the need for quartering or zoning a home, knowing which rooms must be detail-cleaned several times a month and which ones may be detail-cleaned only once a month, in order to ensure that the entire home is cleaned in the most efficient and effective manner
Excellent housekeepers with at least 5 years of proven experience in private residences will normally earn $15-$25 per hour
Domestic Couples
Domestic Couples work together as a team. One person will usually provide cleaning services for the home and possibly light cooking. The other may act as a groundskeeper, chauffeur, maintenance worker, and possibly a server. Couples may also perform more administrative responsibilities, such as supervising housekeeping staff, hiring contractors, and overseeing entertaining and renovations. Couples usually have a wide range of skills and life experience. Ideal couples are nonsmokers and live without pets or children for optimum ease of housing accommodations. Salaries range from $60,000 to $150,000, but they may be higher if either or both have culinary arts training, household management training, or any other beneficial skill or demonstrated ability.
Personal Assistant
A Personal Assistant offers personalized support to the family and/or individual they support. Responsibilities will include making travel arrangements, organizing events/engagements, running errands, managing appointments/calendar, making reservations, placing orders, answering/returning calls, and many other similar administrative/clerical/support duties. A common task of a Personal Assistant is personal shopping for the lady or gentleman of the house. They should be well aware that the shopping habits of the wealthy are far different from the average person’s shopping habits. A wealthy person has no problem setting aside a half-million dollars in the budget for their personal needs. The Personal Assistant will handle special projects for their employer. They may not only plan the family vacation to Italy, but also go along. Salaries range from $40,000 to $90,000 a year
House Sitter
Many wealthy and powerful celebrities own more than one home. They may have summer, winter, or vacation homes, or all of the above. A House Sitter’s responsibility is to provide general care and security for the home and property while it lies vacant, or general maintenance or property care while the owners are in residence.
The top priorities of a House Sitter are home maintenance and security. Home maintenance includes general contracting of electrical work, appliance repair, carpentry, snow plowing, septic care, roof work, pest control, plumbing, chimney sweeping, and painting. It may also involve some minor housekeeping or lawn care.
As the House Sitter will usually live on property, they will provide a deterrent from theft or vandalism. If, the House Sitter does not live inside the house, they will be responsible for house checks as well as checks for property damage after storms or extreme weather, and will have personal contact with the alarm company should the security system be activated. They should be well-equipped to handle such these situations.
The House Sitter may prepare the house for the "homecoming" when it comes time for the homeowner to come to the house for that long-awaited vacation or seasonal change. They may arrange for a part-time housekeeper or carpet steam cleaner, wax floors, polish silver, clean or replace windows, arrange for fresh flower arrangements, grocery shop, trim outside foliage, and anything else required to allow the rich and famous employer to feel relaxed and refreshed from the moment they step foot on the property.
The House Sitter position involves a heavy responsibility. A powerful employer relies on them to keep their house safe, well-maintained, and well cared for. An individual unwilling to continually be on the look out for problems and be ready to call repair workers when they spot trouble should not be a House Sitter. The full-time employee must actively care for the home and property. A perfect House Sitter would be someone with a strong work ethic who is willing and able to work unsupervised on a beautiful, remote, and many times solitary property.
Their salaries usually range from $15,000 to $40,000 varying according to the size of the house and property and the responsibilities involved.
Laundress
The Laundry Specialist may be employed by a wealthy and powerful family who wants their clothing, shoes, accessories, and linens cared for in the most careful and meticulous manner possible.
The Laundry Specialist will know how to care for any kind of clothing materials like linen, silk, rayon and other blends, wool, leather, suede, and fur. They will be well-versed in stain removal and ironing settings. They will know how to properly store and pack all clothing and accessories, and are experts in the use of all types of equipment. They will be able to care for fine bed linens and table linens. They should be capable of using both domestic and commercial laundering equipment, pressing machines, and rotary irons. They can care for shoes, purses, and coats in addition to clothing. They know which clothes could be damaged by hanging and should be folded. They will be familiar with the different types of hangers and storage systems for clothing.
Any rip, snag, or worn-through area will be no problem for the Laundry Specialist, as they will know how to repair anything—or when to call a professional. For the privilege and responsibility of caring for the most exquisite wardrobes of the rich and famous, they may be paid from $35,000 to $45,000 a year.
Personal Chef
The family Chef is responsible for the meals and everything this entails: menu planning, proper selection of the freshest produce and meats, pantry shopping, kitchen clean-up and organization, and care and purchase of any necessary equipment and supplies. The best Chef is one who can meet any of their wealthy employer’s wants and needs. They are able to prepare food according to special dietary needs, anything from home style to gourmet meals, or special occasions, formal dinners, and cocktail parties. They will be proficient in food presentation and be able to set an “inviting table.” They should be flexible enough to work with kids or pets under their feet or to work in coordination with a caterer. Indeed, flexibility is key for a good Chef.
Salaries generally run between $30,000 and $75,000 a year.
Household Manager/Butler
Household Managers took their place in American mansions and estates of the rich and famous modeled after “Butlers” found in Europe and reflects a formal image. They may be the only staff in the house, which means they may clean, provide wardrobe and linen care, run errands, and/or cook; they may also schedule contractors, organize dinners and parties, and/or oversee finances. Or they may supervise other household staff. Household Managers manage the duties and schedules of the household staff, as well as arrange outside household services as needed. In addition to being familiar with all domestic roles and responsibilities, they also provide hands-on services. Duties may include managing a household budget, keeping supplies stocked, making travel arrangements, maintaining care of employers' valuables, planning and coordinating special events, running personal errands for the employer and household. Salaries are: $45.000-$130.000 a year.
Estate Manager
When a wealthy and powerful homeowner has several different properties, it becomes necessary for an Estate Manager to maintain continuity between all the households. This is entirely an administrative management position. This person will have expert knowledge of personnel and home management, property care, and grounds expertise.
The Estate Manager supervises many different properties that are fully staffed, possibly making final decisions in hiring and firing staff, and will undoubtedly be called upon to set the standards for service throughout the home(s).
They will usually be responsible for any renovations on the properties, hiring contractors, and researching and making recommendations for any major purchases, i.e., investment antiques, yachts, airplanes or the wiring of the entire house to make it a "Smart Home".
The Estate Manager is sometimes also the wealthy employer’s Personal Assistant, acting as the “right-hand person,” who would entail the usual errands, money management, personal shopping, and anything else the employer desires.
The Estate Manager should have a degree in business, accounting, or MBA, and would understand and appreciate the need for Professional Household Training and have an excellent understanding of the "politics" of a home. They would have excellent "people" and negotiation skills. This position is usually a step up from the Administrative Household Manager and generally commands between $85,000 and $250,000 a year with the usual "corporate benefit" package included.
Governess
A Governess offers many of the same services as a Nanny. But the Governess is also a professional educator who is responsible for giving the children formal lessons inside the home, away from the prying eyes of a public curious about the children of the rich and famous. They are able to instruct children of all ages in all subjects. They may also be asked to provide etiquette lessons to their charges.
A good Governess will also seek educational opportunities outside the home—in public school terms, “field trips”! They should also give children exposure to the fine arts and will accompany them on social outings.
Governesses will have a degree in education, usually live-in, and be on call 50 to 70 hours a week. To touch children’s minds as well as their hearts, the Governess will receive a salary ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 a year.
Maggie, 29, from Chicago, IL