Bruton, Somerset – Live-In Housekeeper – 45 Hours per Week – £50,000–£55,000 – One-Bedroom Cottage

Family description and location

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Live-In Housekeeper to join a private family estate in Bruton, Somerset.

The estate comprises a six-bedroom main residence, three additional cottages, gardens and grounds, stables, outbuildings and a swimming pool. The family also have dogs, so the successful candidate must be genuinely comfortable around animals and happy to assist with their care when required.

The Housekeeper will work closely with the PA/House Manager and Groundsman to ensure the smooth and seamless running of the household.

A private one-bedroom cottage is provided on the estate, with all bills included.

Job description

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the interior housekeeping, presentation and day-to-day organisation of the main residence and guest accommodation, maintaining the property to an exceptionally high standard at all times.

The successful candidate must have genuine pride in their work, an exceptional eye for detail and the ability to anticipate what needs doing without being asked.

Duties will include:

• Full housekeeping of the main residence and guest cottages to a high standard.
• Detailed cleaning and presentation of all bedrooms, bathrooms, living and entertaining areas.
• Preparing the house and guest accommodation for family and visitors.
• Maintaining an organised appearance throughout the property.
• Establishing and following detailed cleaning and household schedules.
• Identifying maintenance requirements or areas needing attention and reporting them proactively.
• Full responsibility for laundry, ironing and linen.
• Meticulous care of delicate and high-value clothing and fabrics.
• Bed making and presentation to an exceptionally high standard.
• Organisation and management of linen cupboards.
• Wardrobe management, including packing and unpacking and arranging dry cleaning or alterations where required.
• Appropriate care of fine art, antiques, silverware, china, crystal and specialist finishes.
• Understanding when specialist cleaning or treatment is required.
• Managing household supplies, inventories and stock levels.
• Ordering groceries, cleaning products, toiletries and household requirements.
• Managing deliveries, online shopping and household errands.
• Keeping cupboards, pantries and storage areas organised.
• Maintaining household inventories and relevant records.
• Comfortable using household technology and managing straightforward issues with appliances, Wi-Fi and media systems.
• Preparing breakfast and assisting with simple family lunches and dinners.
• Supporting food preparation and service when entertaining.
• Table setting and presentation.
• Welcoming and discreetly looking after guests.
• Ensuring the house is fully prepared before entertaining and returned to perfect order afterwards.
• Maintaining pantry, fridge, freezer and household food and drink stocks.
• Supporting the family with occasional errands where required.
• Caring for the family dogs when required.
• Maintaining a discreet presence when the family are in residence.
• Occasional travel with the family, including approximately three to four weeks per year at their European residence.

Candidate requirements

The successful candidate must understand that exceptional housekeeping is about anticipation, not simply completing a list of tasks. The house should always feel immaculate, fresh, organised and completely prepared.

The Principals are looking for someone who will take genuine ownership of the standard of the house and maintain consistency whether the family are in residence, entertaining or away.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Exceptionally detail-oriented and highly organised.
• Proactive, self-motivated and able to work without supervision.
• Experienced in HNW/UHNW private households or similarly high-end environments.
• Calm, efficient and solution-focused.
• Discreet, trustworthy and professional.
• Confident with luxury laundry, wardrobe and household management.
• Comfortable caring for valuable and delicate possessions.
• Warm and personable but naturally unobtrusive.
• A confident communicator with excellent standards of personal presentation.
• Comfortable around dogs.
• A non-smoker.

Previous experience within an HNW/UHNW private household, luxury residence or similarly high-standard environment is essential, together with excellent checkable references demonstrating reliability, discretion, longevity and consistently high standards.

A full UK driving licence is preferred.

Pets, partners and dependants cannot be accommodated.

Days of work, accommodation and salary

• Approximately 45 hours per week over five days.
• Flexibility is essential when the family are in residence, including approximately two weekends per month, with time off in lieu where additional days are required.
• Occasional additional hours may be required around family visits, entertaining or travel.
• Salary: £50,000–£55,000 gross per annum, depending on experience.
• Accommodation: Private one-bedroom cottage on the estate with all bills included.
• Permanent, long-term position.
• Start: ASAP, although the family are happy to wait for the right candidate to complete their notice period.

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