Estate Manager Position Description
Live on site in secluded 2 bedroom “Garden Cottage”, managing a 6-acre estate in McLean Virginia comprising large, historic main house (where Owners live), historic 4-bedroom guest house, extensive mature, award-winning gardens, including kitchen garden, and overseeing 4 full-time and several part- time staff and numerous contractors.
4 weeks paid time off
Health Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience and position Duties and Responsibilities:
- The Estate manager supervises and manages the day-to- day operations of the Estate. Is responsible for all maintenance, repairs and any future development or construction to the estate buildings and grounds. Selects, schedules and manages service contractors, and coordinates events and functions. He/she is also responsible for managing Estate’s accounts, including paying bills and overseeing payroll contractor.
- - Direct supervision and training, feed-back and performance reviews of staff members at the Estate. Gardeners report to the Garden Manager for day-to-day tasks, and the Garden Manager and Housekeeper report to the Estate Manager, who is generally the direct conduit between staff and Owners. The Estate Manager manages the daily operations of the estate including schedules of staff and vendors, directs and coordinates any projects or events requiring the engagement of the staff as a whole.
- - Contract Negotiation and Liaison with Outside Vendors It is the responsibility of the Estate Manager to meet with vendors and negotiate contracts for technical maintenance, repairs or renovations to ensure good value for the Owner and to maintain and enhance the property for readiness for the Owner’s use and enjoyment. Liaise with event planners, catering services and Owners to ensure all functions run smoothly.
- - Budget and System Management
- The Estate Manager will oversee the many systems that keep a large estate running. This includes the accounts and expenditures, the schedules for all employees, use of estate facilities and the management of payroll. Manages administrative tasks such as submitting payroll, filing documents and invoices, paying invoices.
- - Employer Liaison
The Estate Manager meets with the Owner to discuss plans, events, general estate requirements and to review upcoming projects. Serves as the direct representative of the property owner's interests. This responsibility may include meeting and/or greeting representatives of the Owner's business associates, or friends and family. The Estate Manager should consider themselves a representative of the Owner’s brand.
General requirements:
10-15 years of related property/estate management, including contractor and staff supervision. Extensive, hands on horticultural knowledge strongly preferred.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong, can-do work ethic. Discrete and able to keep information confidential