Role: General Manager / House Manager
Location: Private estate near Marlborough, Wiltshire
Salary: £110,000–£150,000 GPA (DOE)
Benefits: Separate accommodation provided
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Start date: Flexible
A significant private estate in Wiltshire is seeking a General Manager / House Manager to lead the opening of its main house and then run it. This is a rare chance to shape a major residence from the ground up: defining the team, systems and standards, then delivering exceptional service once the family is in residence.
You will take ownership of the house’s operational readiness, working closely with the owner, the estate leadership, project and interior design teams, facilities, security and contractors. The role moves between construction-phase coordination, facilities and M&E oversight, service planning, recruitment and hands‑on delivery. The owner is closely involved and moves at pace, so clear, concise communication is essential.
This is not a Monday‑to‑Friday role. Weekends, school holidays and key periods are required when the family or guests are in residence, with time off taken in quieter periods.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced hospitality professional who has run very large properties, such as a luxury or country house hotel, a large private household, a private members’ club or a major estate, with experience opening, launching or transforming a complex property or hospitality operation.
They will have a strong practical grasp of building systems, maintenance, compliance and contractor management, and be a natural leader who can build and develop a high‑performing team. They will be happy to get stuck in, resilient and flexible, highly organized, calm, discreet and commercially minded.
Duties include:
- Leading the operational mobilisation and opening of the main house
- Defining the staffing model, systems, service standards and operating structure
- Recruiting, building and managing the household team as requirements become clear
- Creating house manuals, procedures, rotas, reporting lines and routines
- Working with project, maintenance and M&E teams to understand the building, plant and systems
- Supporting contractor handover, capturing defects, snagging, warranties and servicing requirements
- Overseeing facilities, planned maintenance and the day‑to‑day presentation of the house
- Preparing the house for the family, guests and events, and being on shift when they are in residence
- Managing contractors and suppliers, and coordinating with security, gardens, housekeeping, kitchens and the wider estate
- Helping develop budgets, cost controls and resourcing plans
To be considered for this role, you must:
- Have run very large properties: a luxury or country house hotel, a large private household, a private members’ club or a major estate
- Have good academics, at least strong A Levels
- Speak English fluently
- Hold the right to work in the UK
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