Estate/Private Service

OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR DOMESTIC STAFF (Partial Listing)

As of September 01, 2010

Harper Associates handles many exclusive domestic staffing assignments for prominent executive families. Recent experience in luxurious private residences, along with outstanding references from previous employers are required for consideration.

• Gardener-Birmingham/Bloomfield

  Full-time, year round in a magnificent private estate!  Great wages AND benefits!  A unique situation is available for a professional gardener with a passion for flower and vegetable gardens.  The ideal candidate must have extensive experience working in flower, vegetable and herb gardens, along with a greenhouse.  Relevant employment references and a background check will be required.  This is a position working directly for a homeowner living on large property with extensive gardens.  Additional responsibilities may involve other heavy maintenance work, inside or outside.

   

• NANNY FOR TODDLER TWINS-BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD AREA

  High profile family seeks professional Nanny to assist in caring for their infant/toddler twins. It is a wonderful opportunity for a Nanny who adores working with young toddlers and has expertise with that age group. This position will involve travel which may be up to several weeks at a time, including Florida during the winter season. The home is magnificent and the Nanny will be one of several household staff members. Degree in early elementary education is desired.  Knowledge of a second language is a plus. Candidates already living in SE Michigan or with ties to the area are preferred. The Nanny must have extensive, stable, work experience as a Nanny in an upscale home(s) with accompanying references. Only those candidates who have worked as a Nanny with toddlers (1 years old and up) will be considered. Non-smokers only need apply.  Must be a permanent resident or U.S. citizen and be free to travel throughout the world. Thorough background investigations will be conducted for final candidates.

   

• Estate Housekeeper-Birmingham, MI

  Full-time position available for a flexible Housekeeper who has experience working in a large, luxury home. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to,
  cleaning, handling laundry, ironing, running errands, food prep, pet care (dogs), coordinating vendors and service personnel, and assisting with entertaining.
  
  Schedule will vary as principals travel, but will typically be Monday-Friday, day hours.  Saturday mornings will be required when employer is in town.

• Personal Assistant - Bloomfield Hills - $50,000-$65,000 plus benefits

  Terrific opportunity available for a Personal Assistant who is comfortable working with a high profile Executive family.  This position is based in the Principal’s home, however, it requires extensive experience supporting a top Executive in a Corporate office, handling primarily personal matters for at least two years.  The Personal Assistant will manage a wide variety of responsibilities which will include, but not be limited to: 

  • Maintaining calendars and schedules for employer and family
  • Detailed research, including internet, in a wide variety of areas
  • Extensive travel planning (both business and personal) involving complex itineraries.  This includes personal aviation and commercial.
  • Creating office procedures and maintaining databases
  • Keeping records of insurance and inventories for home and other possessions
  • Handling correspondence (i.e. letters, phone calls, emails, RSVPs)
  • Helping coordinate first class entertainment for the family
  • Assisting Principal with philanthropic activities and other projects
  • Organize and prepare employer for meetings and travel
  • Verifying all bills and forward to Corporate office for payment
  • Beginning the process for repairs and maintenance
  • Some driving and running errands
  • Helping with personal shopping and some purchasing of fine art
  • Developing extremely detailed records of various items and activities
  • Work cooperatively with household staff, including House Manager

   

  We are seeking an articulate individual with excellent decision making abilities.  The selected candidate must have the capacity to work well under pressure and to maintain strict confidentiality.  The Personal Assistant will hopefully develop the foresight to anticipate the employer’s needs.  Excellent computer skills, using an Apple computer and an iPhone are essential, along with the ability to handle basic troubleshooting.  

   

  Hours are 9am-6pm, however, at times, longer hours will be required.

   

  Occasional travel to vacation homes may be required.

   

  Candidates with ties to the Michigan area are preferred.

   

  Send resume in a Word format attachment to ben@harperjobs.com rather than applying online.  Please send digital photo also if available.

   

• Full-time housekeeper-West Bloomfield

  Professional housekeeper is needed to work in a beautiful private home. Hours are approximately 8:30am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Must have long term experience working directly for a homeowner in a large, luxury home, with accompanying references. Non-smokers only need apply.

   

• Live-in Nanny:  West Bloomfield

  Our client is seeking an energetic Nanny to assist with the care of their infant.  This is a full-time, live-in, position which will also involve travel with the family.  The Nanny must have an enthusiastic personality and a sincere desire to be a Nanny.  Non-smokers only need apply.  College degree preferred.  Experience working with infants and toddlers in a private home is required.

   

• Estate Housekeeper-Bloomfield Hills (full-time with paid medical benefits!)

      Professional housekeeper is needed

      to work full-time in a large, magnificent home.  During the winter, after the

      holidays, the housekeeper will need to be able to travel to Florida with the family

      for a few weeks each month.   This client will only consider a housekeeper who

      has worked for one family for several years and will require references from that

      employer.  $37,500 and paid medical benefits! 

• Private Chef-Michigan and Florida

  Executive family seeks talented Chef to prepare meals within their homes for family members, guests and dinner parties.  The Chef will plan and purchase food and supplies for all meals and events.  Other responsibilities will include vehicle maintenance and service, pet care, greeting

  guests and other miscellaneous household tasks.  The Chef must be flexible to accompany the family to Florida (Port Saint Lucie area) for several months during the winter season.  Excellent compensation package!

   

• Personal Chef $40,000-50,000

  For Bloomfield Hills residence of prominent executive. Family enjoys spa cuisine, extensive entertaining with guests poolside in the summer. Lots of creativity, must be very flexible and willing to work weekends. $40-50,000

   

• Estate Housekeeper- Ann Arbor

  Exceptional full-time, Monday-Friday opportunity available for an experienced Estate Housekeeper. In addition to general full scale housekeeping, the position will involve: laundry, ironing, inventories, organizing, preparing for guests and parties, and handling some errands.  We are seeking an individual with extensive housekeeping experience in a large, luxury home. Accompanying references will be required.  The ideal candidate is a pleasant, motivated individual who takes pride in their work.  Flexibility and the ability to be a team player are essential for success in this role.  Excellent wages.

   

• ESTATE HOUSEKEEPER-SEASONAL-FLORIDA
  We are seeking an experienced Housekeeper/Laundress who has worked in a large estate and is interested in a wonderful, full-time opportunity during the 2010/2011 winter season (approximately November-April).  Experience in at least one luxury home with accompanying references is required.  Only candidates living within close proximity to Palm Beach will be considered.

• Chef-House Manager-Birmingham/Bloomfield MI area

  Versatile individual needed to handle a wide variety of tasks in a beautiful, large, luxury home. Will prepare meals 5 days/week, including some weekends. Must also be willing to assist with hands-on housekeeping. Responsibilities will also include running errands and overseeing small staff and service personnel. Must be flexible to travel to vacation homes on occasion.

• Caregiver-Live in: Bloomfield, MI and Florida

  Active, elderly couple seeks female caregiver to assist wife and to handle cooking, housekeeping, running errands etc.  This is a live-in position.  Winters will be spent in South Florida.  $1000/week.

   

• ESTATE MANAGER-Suburban Detroit
  Executive family with large Estate in an affluent suburb of Detroit, Michigan seeks an experienced Estate Manager.
  Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
   

  • Managing housekeeping staff
  • Handling communication and scheduling of all vendor and outside contractors
  • Approving household bills and coordination of same with accounting staff and distribution of petty cash
  • Organizing special events and social gatherings
  • Taking care of errands for family
  • Conducting and maintaining inventories of valuables, clothing, supplies, etc.
  • Handling special assignments as needed

   

  Previous experience as an Estate Manager in a private residence at least 10,000 square feet or in a hospitality service capacity on a yacht (with accompanying references which may be provided later) is required. The ideal candidate will also have formal training from Starkey Institute, etc. Advanced proficiency utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook is required. Basic accounting is advantageous. The capability of handling all matters confidentiality and discreetly is essential. Professionalism is absolutely mandatory, along with the ability to work in a very busy household with children and pets. Flexibility is a key ingredient for success in this very desirable opportunity.  $50,000-$60,000.

• HOUSEKEEPERS

  If you have experience working as a housekeeper directly for a homeowner in a large, luxury home on a regular basis, and have accompanying references please contact us. Positions are typically in Bloomfield Hills, Franklin and West Bloomfield and include full and part-time situations.

   

• Estate/DOMESTIC Personnel
  Other positions may be available; many of our clients prefer to keep their vacancies confidential. If you have experience in a large private residence and accompanying references, please send your resume.
   

Harper Associates Executive Residence positions include:

• Estate Managers
• Estate Housekeepers
• Butlers
• Private Chefs/Personal Chefs
• Nannies
• Laundresses
• Chauffeurs
• Maintenance Coordinators
• Executive/Personal Assistants
• Domestic Couples