Estate/Private Service

OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR DOMESTIC STAFF (Partial Listing)

As of July 01, 2008

Harper Associates handles many exclusive domestic staffing assignments for prominent executives in the metropolitan Detroit area. These positions are typically based in large, private estates located in Bloomfield Hills, Franklin, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Birmingham, and Grosse Pointe. Recent experience in luxurious private residences, along with outstanding references from previous employers are required for consideration.

• ESTATE HOUSEKEEPER - WEST BLOOMFIELD

  Professional Housekeeper is needed to maintain a large, beautiful home. This is a full time Monday-Friday position. $40,000 plus benefits. Only those with very large, luxury home experience on a long term basis and accompanying references will be considered.

   
• HOUSEHOLD MANAGER/PERSONAL ASSISTANT - CHICAGO
  Exceptional career opportunity available for an experienced Household Manager to oversee the daily operations of a large, magnificent private residence for a high profile family in an affluent Chicago suburb

  Varied responsibilities will include:
  • Ensuring security of property at all times
  • Providing leadership, training and supervision to other household staff
  • Directing housekeeping, laundry and cooking activities. Hands-on assistance will be necessary at times.

    Light cooking will be required.
  • Coordinating services of external vendors and contractors
  • Serving as a Personal Assistant, using a Blackberry to allow ongoing communication. A computer will also

    be provided.
  • Assisting with the creation and execution of household budget
  • Maintaining all financial records related to household operations
  • Checking for accuracy of invoices and authorizing approval
  • Developing and implementing Household Reference Manual
  • Purchasing all food and supplies
  • Handling shopping, personal errands and driving family members as needed
  • Organizing and planning all details for social gatherings, meetings and parties.
  • Acting in a concierge capacity to all family members or guests, as needed
  • Will serve as back-up Nanny on occasion in the absence of full-time Nanny.

   

  Position is primarily Monday-Friday days but flexibility is required for evenings and weekends.

  The ideal candidate for this key role, must be an extremely organized, detailed oriented professional with superior communication and computer skills. Previous staff management experience in a prestigious private estate is required, along with outstanding employment references. The ability to handle confidential matters is essential. A college degree is preferred. A thorough background check will be required for final candidates.

  Private living quarters in a Carriage House on the premises is provided for 1 or 2 adults, no children may be accommodated. Candidates already living in the Chicago area or very familiar with resources in the area would be preferred. $90-$100k plus full benefits and housing.

   
• DOMESTIC COUPLE - LIVE IN – METRO DETROIT

  Our client is seeking a husband/wife team to handle housekeeping, driving, maintenance and grounds in their beautiful suburban home. Salary plus benefits.

   
• ESTATE/PROPERTY MANAGER-METRO DETROIT (+ TRAVEL) 

  Exceptional opportunity available for an experienced House Manager with extremely high quality standards. This position will involve a wide variety of responsibilities which include the management of three residences, which will require occasional travel outside of Michigan.

   

  The Estate Manager will supervise, hire and train household staff. In addition, this individual will be actively involved in all aspects of running the estates, including maintenance, property management, security and

  food/beverage operations. Only those candidates with proven success and accompanying references in a similar role in an executive residence or luxury hotel will be considered. Excellent salary and benefit package.

   
• LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER - FARMINGTON HILLS

  Wonderful opportunity for an experienced Housekeeper who would enjoy working in a beautiful estate. Lovely private room available for single person with no housing expenses to worry about. This is a full-time live in position, which requires the ability to work flexible hours. Must be willing to work weekends, will have two days off during the week. Great wages/benefits! Permanent US Residency/Green Card required.

   

• ESTATE MANAGER DETROIT SUBURBS

  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:

  • 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 (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.

• HOUSE MANAGER - NEW YORK CITY
  Busy Executive family who lives in the New York City area year round, seeks a dynamic individual to handle a variety of duties.

  
  

  MUST HAVE ESTATE / HOUSE MANAGER EXPERIENCE IN MANHATTAN
  

   

  Responsibilities will include but not be limited to: Training, scheduling and supervision of staff, supervising and coordinating activities of household employees engaged in cooking, cleaning, and related domestic duties, overseeing the planning, preparation and execution of entertaining, scheduling and interfacing with contractors and vendors, maintaining household inventories, assisting with household and family safety and security measures, maintaining school and activity schedules for children of the family (without being intrusive), travel arrangements for the family, budget management, sharp administrative skills and solid computer skills, maintaining the families' agenda, schedule, and social calendar, organization of mail and responses, synchronize information and quickly handle requests of the family, as well as some driving coordination with family business assistants.
  

   

  Important skills and traits include: sophisticated, “team Captain” who must work well with the employer and employees, discretion, poise, professional and pleasant manner, good demeanor, team player, easily adaptive to informal and formal settings in the home, anticipate employers needs, and be able to think the way the employer thinks, flexibility, good organizational skills, as well as resourceful, ability to prioritize, diplomacy and tact, refined sense of quality – high taste level, keen eye for details, spontaneity to problem solve and think on your feet, highly articulate, open communicator, sound written and verbal communications, multi-task – capability and intelligence to be working on several things at the same time, food and beverage service knowledge and skills. Starkey training beneficial.
  

   

  Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, must be flexible, will require some weekends and late evenings. Some travel is required.
  

   
• ESTATE HOUSEKEEPER - LIVE-IN: NEW YORK CITY

  Prominent Executive Couple with no children living at home, seeks an experienced Estate Housekeeper. Responsibilities will include housekeeping and laundry in their 10,000 square foot private residence on the upper East Side of Manhattan. Excellent knowledge of proper care/cleaning techniques for artwork, antiques, fine valuables, silver, crystal, various woods and stone finishes is required. Previous experience working in a large private residence is required, along with accompanying references. Uniforms will be provided but are required. Exceptional salary, benefits and accommodations.

   

• PERSONAL VALET/CAREGIVER TO EXECUTIVE - LIVE-IN: MICHIGAN & TRAVEL

  We are seeking a unique individual to assist a busy Executive who is physically disabled, with a wide variety of tasks. Responsibilities will include driving, running errands and providing personal care and hygiene. Travel is required. Must have previous similar experience. Heavy lifting is required to assist the Executive. Flexibility, friendliness and professionalism are also essential.

• Private Chef- Michigan and Florida
  High profile Executive with discerning palate seeks creative Private Chef with excellent culinary credentials and previous experience as a Personal Chef. The ideal candidate must have the ability to adapt to varying needs, from preparing an individual gourmet meal to a large, formal dinner party or charitable event. The position is based in Michigan; however, the Chef will be required to travel with the Executive regularly to a second home in South Florida, which will include working on a luxury, private, yacht. This is not a live-in position, although housing will be provided when traveling. Flexibility in scheduling, sometimes with little notice, is essential for success in this role. $55,000 - $65,000 plus benefits!
   
• 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.

   

• PRIVATE CHEF - BIRMINGHAM, BLOOMFIELD
  Sophisticated client with a very discerning palate seeks an extremely talented Chef to provide first class dining and service in their exquisite home. Must have extensive culinary and fine dining knowledge. In addition to preparing meals, responsibilities will include grocery shopping and serving. The ability to create gourmet meals on a very small scale is essential. Schedule is primarily Monday-Friday with occasional weekends. Live-in accommodations are available if desired, although the position does not require that one live-in. Previous experience working as a Chef in an upscale private residence, with accompanying references, is required. In addition to outstanding cooking skills, the Chef must have knowledge of proper table setting and serving in a formal household, along with proper use and care of fine china, crystal and silver. $45,000 - $55,000
   

• 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