Building a Private Household Staff: Which Positions Does Your Estate Actually Need?
Household staffing should be based on how a family lives, not simply on square footage.
One home may need a nanny, housekeeper, and family cook; another may require an estate manager, private chef, estate housekeepers, personal assistant, driver, and grounds support.
Leadership is often the first question. A house manager may focus on the daily operation of one residence, while an estate manager may oversee multiple properties, staff, vendors, and projects. Childcare, housekeeping, culinary, administrative, transportation, property, and security needs can then be layered around the household.
Hybrid roles can work well, but one person should not be expected to be a full-time nanny, chef, housekeeper, executive assistant, and estate manager at once. If the job description is five jobs, the solution is usually a better staffing plan—not a “more flexible” candidate.
