Full-Time Estate Manager

Family with 9 and 16 year old children with main residence in Evanston, Illinois is seeking an experienced, professional, organized and detail oriented full-time estate manger to manage a busy family and 10,000 square foot residence (and coach house). The family also has residences in Arizona, Florida and Indiana that require minimal management. Schedule is on Monday – Friday at 8:00am – 5:00pm. Flexibility is required to work occasional evenings and weekends when family has events, residences need to be prepared for family’s arrival, meetings are scheduled with principal(s), etc. Safe vehicle for transportation is required. Estate Manager is responsible for overseeing the general operation of all residences, managing domestic staff in an environment where everyone is given clear expectations and loves coming to work daily, collaborative to work directly with principals and domestic employees on a daily basis, experienced working with children, comfortable with dog and cats, assertive, proactive, resourceful, self starter, organized, detail oriented, service focused, kind, professional, ability to multi-task and wear many hats, respectful and capable of maintaining discretion. Residence in Evanston was recently purchased and Estate Manager will be assisting with move, staging and selling residence in Chicago, working with interior designer, etc. Candidates with experience setting foundation in a newly created position as an estate manager is required. Main residence has full-time estate manager and two full-time housekeepers. Start date is ASAP, but flexible for the right candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Daily walk through of residence to ensure that all systems are functioning properly

• Managing five residences that are domestically (main focus is residence in Evanston, Illinois)

• Maintain comprehensive household manuals setting priorities for tasks on daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis

• Maintain file systems including those for household operations, warranty manuals, household equipment, invitations, entertainment logs, etc.

• Maintain contacts lists that include family members, vendors, contractors, businesses, etc.

• Responsible for running errands (e.g., grocery shopping, shopping for home supplies, returns and other requested items)

• Responsible for handling things around the home (e.g., receiving deliveries, service providers, contractors, answering phone calls, sending emails, etc.)

• Responsible for house projects (e.g., ensuring all lights are working, changing light bulbs, light bulb inventory, annual assistance with projects, etc.)

• Responsible for organizational projects when requested by principals

• Responsible for working collaboratively with principal on interior design projects

• Managing domestic staff for residences and supervising the quality of their performance (creating tasks lists for weekly, monthly, annual requirements; scheduling reviews; overseeing quality of performance, etc.)

• Coordinate staff schedules to ensure adequate coverage at all times based on principals’ needs

• Assist domestic staff with projects when necessary (e.g., creating a collaborative/team environment)

• Ensure pantry, refrigerator and wine cellar are properly stocked in accordance with the principals’ and children’s travel and entertaining schedules

• Maintain security systems at residence and check/test on a regular basis

• Maintain vehicles, take for service appointments and keep accurate records of services completed

• Responsible for dog and cats (e.g., scheduling vet appointments, grooming, assistance while family is traveling, etc.)

• Provide hospitality and attend to guest and family’s needs when visiting

• Managing household schedules and calendars for principals and children

• Responsible for extensive domestic and international travel planning (family travels a few times per year)

• Event planning, organizing, coordination and flawless execution day of event (formal and informal events)

• Scheduling appointments for personal and occasionally professional needs of principals

• Scheduling and maintaining calendars for children (e.g., appointments, play dates, travel, etc.)

• Vetting contractors/service providers, scheduling home maintenance and repair work and supervising projects

• Keep mail organized, handle household and family bills and administrative duties

• Manage household petty cash and proper documentation and submission of house credit card purchases/receipts

• Responsible for bill paying and overseeing households and family budget

• Occasional assistance with packing principals and children for trips

• Schedule meetings with principal(s) as needed to discuss their schedule, children’s schedules, travel plans, upcoming events, special projects, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Highly organized, detail oriented, proactive, excellent time management, efficient and service focused

• Attentive to principals’ preferences and style (intuitive to their needs)

• Observant to the needs of family and home to anticipate their needs (e.g., scheduling landscaper if seasonal displays need to be changed, dog is due for check up, etc.)

• Ability to maintain discretion (confidentiality agreement is required)

• Ability to be discreet with respect for employer’s privacy

• Ability to travel domestically whenever needed by family

• Professional presentation of self and great personality

• Ability to develop and maintain solid working relationships with service providers, contractors and vendors

• Ability to work collaboratively with and oversee interior design projects

• Ability to easily take direction

• Strong ability to communicate and collaborate efficiently with principals, children, domestic staff, etc.

• Strong technology skills and experienced working with Macintosh

• Seeking longevity/long term commitment (e.g., at least 5-10+ years)

• Positive attitude and ability to handle residences and staff with ease and calm demeanor

• Active and fit

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree

• 5-10+ years of consistent and recent experience working as an estate manager and/or house manager

• 3-4 references from professional positions

• Ability to complete extensive background checks and drug tests (excellent credit score is required)

• Safe vehicle for transportation

• Driver’s license and clean driving record

COMPENSATION:

• $100-150K gross salary (based on experience and qualifications)

• Health insurance stipend

• Two weeks (10 days) paid vacation

• Five paid sick days

• Seven government holidays paid: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas

• Discretionary annual bonus and raise (performance evaluation required)

• Living provided in coach house is an option, if desirable to candidate (this is not required)

Please read the job description carefully and kindly apply with your cover letter, resume, references (email address and phone number), letter(s) of recommendation and professional photo if you feel that you meet ALL of the requirements. Submit through our website at www.strollersandstilettos.com/job-opportunities. We look forward to hearing from you!

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $100,000.00 to $150,000.00 /year

Required education:

• Bachelor’s

Required experience:

• full-time estate manager or house manager: 5 years

Required language:

• English

Required licenses or certifications:

• Safe vehicle for transportation
• Driver’s license and clean driving record