We are looking for an exceptional House Manager & Cook to take day-to-day responsibility for the smooth running of a busy family estate, situated near Kidlington in Oxfordshire – this is a live-out role so candidates applying must live within a commutable distance.
This is a hands-on senior role combining household and team management, family cooking, household systems and organisation. You will lead and oversee a small household team, including a Family PA, Live-in Housekeeper, Daily Housekeeper/Cleaner, and three external grounds staff.
The successful candidate will be proactive and naturally attentive to what needs doing: canvassing household and family needs, anticipating requirements, delegating appropriately and following through to completion. The aim is to ensure the household runs smoothly and efficiently without the parents having to manage its day-to-day operation themselves.
Key Responsibilities
Household & Team Management
- Maintain oversight of the household, proactively identifying upcoming needs, priorities and potential problems.
- Translate needs into clear action points, coordinating and supervising the household team to ensure responsibilities are understood and work is completed to a high standard.
- Ensure team members have the information, equipment and support they need to perform their roles effectively.
- Manage staff schedules, holiday requests and cover, anticipating particularly busy periods.
- Maintain excellent household organisation, routines and systems.
- Coordinate maintenance, repairs, contractors and suppliers, following issues through to resolution.
- Maintain a strong network of trusted local suppliers and service providers.
Cooking & Entertaining
- Prepare healthy, delicious family meals according to the family’s dietary requirements and preferences.
- Plan menus and manage grocery shopping, food ordering and kitchen stocks.
- Maintain an organised and well-stocked kitchen and pantry.
- Support entertaining and events, cooking personally or coordinating external caterers where appropriate.
- Assist with organising family events, dinners and celebrations.
- Ensure the house is appropriately prepared before events and restored afterwards.
PA & Family Support – ONLY to cover the family’s PA when absent
- Monitor school communications and requirements, helping to ensure uniforms, lunches, equipment and other practical needs are organised.
- Provide practical PA support, including travel and appointment bookings, diary coordination, reservations and communicating schedules and arrangements.
- Help the family prepare and pack for travel.
- Undertake occasional errands and driving as required, including driving family members when needed.
Household Systems & Assets
- Ensure key household systems – including Wi-Fi, AV, security and connected devices – are working effectively.
- Maintain practical inventories and oversee the appropriate care of important household items, including artwork, silverware, tableware, linens and other significant possessions.
- Maintain relevant household records, supplier contact information, warranties and service details.
The Person
We are looking for someone who is:
- Proactive and accountable – notices what needs doing, takes ownership and follows through without needing to be chased.
- Exceptionally organised – able to maintain oversight of multiple household and family requirements while staying ahead of what is coming.
- An excellent communicator – keeps family members, staff and suppliers appropriately informed and ensures arrangements do not fall between people.
- A strong and supportive team manager – comfortable setting expectations, delegating and following up, while helping others develop and perform well.
- A confident family cook – enjoys producing healthy, attractive and delicious everyday food.
- Technologically fluent – comfortable with digital calendars and systems, online administration, Wi-Fi, AV and household technology.
- Practical and resourceful – able to solve problems independently while recognising when specialist assistance is required.
- Warm, discreet and trustworthy – exercises excellent judgement and contributes to a pleasant and respectful household environment.
Experience & Requirements
Candidates should have 10+ years’ experience managing a private household or similarly complex environment, including experience supervising staff and coordinating multiple competing priorities.
Good knowledge of Oxfordshire and trusted local suppliers would be highly advantageous.
A full, clean driving licence and confidence driving locally are required.
Some flexibility will occasionally be required around travel, school commitments, entertaining and particularly busy periods.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means the household runs exceptionally well without the family having to manage it themselves.
The House Manager anticipates what is coming, notices what needs attention, ensures the right person is dealing with it and follows through until it is done. The household team is well organised and supported; meals are excellent; family logistics are anticipated; household systems work effectively; and communication is clear. The result should be a home that feels calm, organised, welcoming, and exceptionally well cared for.
Working days/hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm, with 30-minute break. Flexibility required on occasion, depending on the needs of the family – including evenings & weekends during busier periods.
Salary: £60-70,000 gross per annum, depending on experience
REF: S&W#225132790
