Before beginning the recruitment process, it is important to define:
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Employment structure: full-time or part-time; live-in or live-out.
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Reporting lines: principal, household manager, or executive housekeeper.
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Scope of duties: daily cleaning, wardrobe care, fine fabrics, antiques, or other specialist tasks.
Being specific in your expectations — such as the use of eco-friendly products, or daily upkeep of delicate surfaces — ensures you attract the right candidate from the outset.
When defining a housekeeper role, balance expectations with realistic workload. As a rule of thumb, one full-time housekeeper can maintain about 4,500 sq. ft. (420 m²) to a high standard. On average, a professional can service 2–3 rooms per hour, though delicate materials and fine furnishings require more time.
Schedules should reflect family lifestyle: later shifts (10am–7pm) cover evening service, while early shifts (7am–3pm) allow for greater privacy in the afternoons. Clarifying whether laundry and wardrobe care are included is also key, as these tasks significantly impact daily capacity.
Once you have defined the responsibilities of the role, the next step is to determine the level of experience required. Do you need an executive housekeeper to supervise a team and maintain five-star standards across a large estate? Or would a private housekeeper, managing the residence independently, be better suited to your household?
Clarifying this at the outset will guide the level of expertise you seek, the housekeeping skills to highlight in your job description, and the salary and benefits you should offer. Some households may benefit from a senior housekeeper, providing both hands-on support and light supervision, while others may require a more structured, executive-level appointment.
Private Housekeeper
Handles the day-to-day cleaning and organisation of the residence, often independently or with limited supervision. Responsible for general housekeeping duties such as maintaining living areas, caring for fine furnishings, and managing laundry. Best suited for households seeking hands-on, detail-focused support delivered with discretion and consistency.
Senior Housekeeper
Bridges the gap between a private housekeeper and an executive-level role. In addition to daily upkeep, a senior housekeeper may take responsibility for training junior staff, implementing cleaning protocols, and liaising with vendors for specialist care (antiques, fine fabrics, or delicate surfaces). This profile is ideal for medium to large households requiring both operational excellence and light supervisory capacity.
Executive Housekeeper/Head Housekeeper
Leads and manages a full housekeeping team within large estates or UHNW residences. Oversees rotas, standards, and training, while ensuring the household runs to seamless five-star standards. Duties extend beyond cleaning, often including inventory management, vendor coordination, and maintaining household manuals. This role provides structure, continuity, and leadership, ensuring the highest levels of service across the property.
Below is a sample job description for a private housekeeper. It is designed as a framework to help you structure your search, but every household is unique — we recommend tailoring the details to reflect your property, lifestyle, and expectations.
For a more comprehensive version, including formatting and suggested phrasing, you may download our Housekeeper Job Description Template (Word) and adapt it to your needs.
