House Manager of Villa, Northern Italy

ON HOLD For an UHNW family we are looking for an experienced Italian/ English speaking House Manager to organize and maintain their beautiful villa in northern Italy. Drivers only and staff management experience essential. This is a permanent, full time, live-in role (separate accommodation).

This is a beautiful property with approx. 17 bedrooms set in large grounds including a 3 bedroom guest house. The landscaped gardens are taken care of by contractors. Depending on whether in or off season the staff include chefs, the head of service, service and housekeeping staff as well as a head of maintenance and varies between 6 and 12 international temporary and permanent staff, who have often served the family for many years.

Primarily the family (including young children) and guests visit during the summer over approx. 3 months (with possible visits to other properties during this time). Occasionally a small number of the family visit off season. There are no pets.

With guests in residence the atmosphere is relaxed with a smooth and exacting service of high standards. Meals are often served buffet style while dinners can be formal with tables set and decorated. The role reports to the London based Family Office and directly to the Principals and is the main contact for contractors.

The duties of the House Manager:

• Responsible for the smooth operation of the property to high standards
• Readying the property for guest´s arrival
• Coordinating staff (depending on season), including rotas, absence logs, payroll, recruitment, training and appraisals
• Overseeing property administration including budgets in collaboration with finance department
• Setting up manuals, inventories, checklists and procedures
• Liaising with suppliers and contractors including architects, engineers, surveyors for delivery of high end projects
• Reporting to and working with the family office and the Principals
• Providing weekly update reports on progress of on-going works
• Ensuring all systems are operating properly with assistance from Head of Maintenance (with some technical knowledge needed)
• Planning and organizing dinner parties, offsite meetings and events (max. 40 people)
• Overseeing household provisions including newspapers, flowers, toiletries, etc.
• Managing and ordering stocks of preferred household supplies
• Overseeing wine cellar with Head of Service (organizing, managing wine log, discussing stock levels with Principal)
• Booking transportation (airport pickups, drop offs)
• Managing health, safety requirements and keeping areas child safe
• Providing driving services, if required
• Running errands

The requirements for the House Manager role:

• A min of 5 years´ experience managing a staffed large property
• Must be legal to work in Italy (a visa can be obtained)
• A clean driver license
• Fluency in English and Italian (the latter is paramount)
• Ideally previous experience of having lived/ worked in Italy
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office including spreadsheets)
• Excellent staff management and administration skills including training and working alongside long-term employees
• Superb front of house and service skills (including knowledge of formal service)
• Exceptional attention to detail and high standards
• Excellent written references
• A recent security check

House Manager candidates should have great and prompt communications skills, be proactive, dynamic and hands on in their approach. The family is seeking a house manager who is hardworking, flexible, discrete and trustworthy and passionate about delivering a high end service. The house manager should be cost conscious and able to negotiate the best value for money. This house manager role is very busy during the season with ample downtime during off season, however anyone in this role must be extremely well organized and prepare the property well in advance during the off season.

Accommodation (currently an en-suite double room within the staff property in the grounds) is provided but will be a local self-contained apartment. Use of a car for work purposes. Uniforms are supplied as well as all meals while on duty in season.

Hours:      to be discussed (in and off season)

Salary:     €80.000 gross a year (plus a 13th-14th salary)