EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER (EHK)
Manhattan & Dutchess County, NY
POSITION SUMMARY
Our Client is seeking a full-time, experienced Executive Housekeeper (EHK) to oversee their 4,000 sq. ft. single-level NoMad apartment and a 6,000 sq. ft. multi-level home in Dutchess County. This role will also provide personal support to the family when they are in residence. This individual must be able to work unsupervised and in a collaborative team environment with the other traveling household staff: chefs, nanny, and Estate Concierge. This role requires a service-oriented, self-motivated, trustworthy individual who takes the initiative when tending to spaces. This position will report directly to the Estate Concierge. First and foremost, the Executive Housekeeper should keep the residences immaculate and ready for use at a moment’s notice. This involves hands-on personal support, cleaning, and skillful vendor management when onsite. Attention to detail is critical as the house must be kept to the highest standard possible. Candidates possessing a calm, mindful, pleasant, and empathetic presence are key for this family.
When the Principals are in residence, the Executive Housekeeper will provide personal support to the family and their guests and coordinate with the Miami (primary residence) team as their local on-the-ground resource. Responsibilities include housekeeping and laundry duties, lunchtime table setting/clearing, and vendor management. While the position is live-out, some hotel overnights may be required in bad weather, as the homes are 90 miles apart. Ideally, this candidate will reside in the New York or CT area so that daily travel to either New York City or Upstate NY property is possible. The family is open to collaborating on the weekly schedule for consecutive days in both locations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Household Responsibilities
- Cleaning– Duties include, but are not limited to, cleaning and sanitizing all toilets, showers, baths, sinks, and countertops; dusting and polishing all fine furniture and fixtures; cleaning the kitchen and food prep areas; washing mirrors; vacuuming and cleaning carpets and rugs.
- Tidying– Including bathrooms, mopping floors, dusting, vacuuming, changing bed linens, making beds, closing and cleaning rooms, etc. Operate and maintain cleaning equipment, empty trash bins and recycling, and detailed, deep cleaning while the family is out of town or absent.
- Inspection – The house must be walked daily to identify any potential issues, such as water leaks, HVAC operations, burnt-out lightbulbs, etc. The EHK ensures this vital and proactive property review happens at the end of each visit to the residences.
- Organizing – Closets, pantry & home organizing; ensure items are always treated with care. Stock the rooms and drawers and tidy after the rooms are used.
- Consistency – Ensure all spaces have consistent housekeeping standards and understand the Principal’s preferences. Complete tasks on time to a high-quality standard within working hours.
- Communication – Collaborate and communicate clearly with the Principal and other staff members.
- Reporting — Report any concerns, repairs, damage, or replacements needed on properties.
- Outdoor Furniture – Moving and cleaning furniture, covering furniture.
- Meal Preparation — Support the Chef with meal service, including table setting, dish clearing, and general clean-up (lunch only).
- Household Inventories – Communicate stock purchasing needed. Keep track of cleaning supply inventories.
- Event/Entertaining – Support the Chef and assist with floral prep, table setting, linens, cushions, pressing napkins, polishing silver, glassware, etc.
- Greet Guests – Answer the door and greet guests and vendors in a friendly manner while maintaining vigilance around security.
- Security – Stay present while vendors are on the premises and perform complete interior and exterior security checks to ensure all access areas are locked in the evening and unlocked as needed in the morning.
- Miscellaneous—rrand running for guests and the Principal. Engage in special projects as requested. Assist in event support.
Wardrobe Responsibilities
- Packing and unpacking the family.
- Store items that are not in use in an organized and responsible manner.
- Proactively identify items that need to be mended, repaired, discarded, or donated, and follow through with action.
Laundering Responsibilities
- Experience with the handling of fine materials and hand-washing delicate fabrics.
- Launder all table linens and napkins.
- Inventory and manage dry cleaning and inspect upon arrival.
- Clean, press, and fold all materials.
- Skilled in the use of irons, steamers, and mangles.
- Organize the Principal’s closets as necessary, switching out seasonal wardrobe.
Household Security – The Executive Housekeeper is responsible for ensuring the house is secured at all times. This includes:
- Routinely checking all doors and windows.
- Actively using the alarm and monitoring systems.
- Ensures all vendors are vetted and insured and completes background checks and NDAs.
- Escorting and actively overseeing all vendors when onsite.
- Managing and restricting outside access to the house when the Principals are in residence.
Household Procurement
- Vendor Selection, Negotiation, & Termination – Whether dry cleaners, housekeeping, grocers, painters, or gardeners, the Executive Housekeeper will work with the Estate Concierge (EC). The EC will source, negotiate, schedule, oversee, and manage all vendor relationships for the house with the Executive Housekeeper as the onsite contact. They, too, will ensure the vendors are scheduled well in advance, and there is no need for anyone to be working in the house while the Principals are in residence.
- Stock Household Essentials – Inventory and stock all household supplies, from cleaning supplies to toiletries. The goal is to ensure nothing runs out while the Principals are in residence.
- Grocery Shopping – Assist the Chef in keeping necessities on hand.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- A high school diploma or GED certificate and at least five years of experience providing residential housekeeping or household assistance.
- Experience working within a high-service, action-oriented private household environment with high accountability levels. Adept in private service environments.
- Excellent working knowledge of cleaning appliances, tools, and cleaning products.
- Meticulous with refined attention to detail.
- Experience maintaining a private employer’s confidentiality, safety, security, and privacy.
- Must have their own reliable transportation.
- Highly professional with excellent communication skills, project management software like Asana is a plus.
- English fluency is mandatory.
- Must have experience with high-end furnishings, fine art, and collectibles. Should fully understand how to properly care for all items in the home.
Personal Qualities & Character Sketch
- Warm, polished, intuitive, calm, respectful, and collaborative by nature.
- Discreet and confidential, low social media presence.
- A superb attitude and work ethic and demonstrates exceptional time management and organizational skills.
- Enjoys young children.
- Honest, trustworthy, reliable, well-presented, energetic, positive, and punctual.
- Efficient, service-oriented, and low ego. Works well under pressure, is not easily frazzled, and appreciates receiving constructive feedback.
- Is observant and attentive to the Principal’s preferences and intuitive at replicating the qualities they enjoy.
- Has a can-do attitude, no task being too great or too small, and genuinely enjoys providing personal service.
- Ability to accommodate a non-traditional work schedule and remain flexible to meet the family’s needs.
- Capable of easily juggling multiple tasks while remaining calm and attentive to detail and accuracy. Finds deep satisfaction in completing items on an ever-changing to-do list.
- Ability to anticipate next steps by thinking creatively, solving problems, and taking a broad perspective to make the Principal’s lives easier. Takes ownership of work, thinks strategically, and is resourceful.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Work location: This full-time role supports two properties that are 90 miles apart. This is a live-off position. (Hotel room in Upstate NY can be provided when necessary due to the commute during weather.) Danbury, CT is halfway between each property.
- Compensation: Highly competitive DOE, starting at $45 per hour + full benefits.
- Work hours are generally 8:00 am – 4:00 pm when the family is in residence, but must be flexible.
- Smoke and drug-free work environment.