Hire a House Manager in 24 Hours

Our comprehensive recruitment service includes an initial consultation to understand your exact requirements, access to our exclusive network of pre-vetted House Manager candidates, shortlist delivery within 24-48 hours, interview coordination and logistics support, thorough background checks and reference verification, offer negotiation assistance, and ongoing support through the onboarding period. We operate on a success-fee basis—you only pay when your new House Manager starts work. Our replacement guarantee provides additional security, offering a free replacement if the placement doesn't work out within the guarantee period.

We deliver your first shortlist of pre-vetted House Manager candidates within 24-48 hours of our initial consultation. Most clients conduct interviews within the first week and make hiring decisions within 10-14 days. The complete timeline from initial contact to your House Manager starting work typically ranges from 2-4 weeks, though we can expedite this for urgent requirements. The timeline can vary based on factors like international visa requirements, notice periods, and your interview availability. Our record for emergency placement is 72 hours from first contact to start date, though we recommend allowing adequate time for thorough vetting when possible.

Ideal House Manager qualifications vary by household needs but typically include 5+ years of experience in luxury hospitality or private household management. Many employers value formal training from butler schools (International Butler Academy, Starkey International) or certifications like Certified Household Manager (CHM). Essential skills include budget management, staff leadership, vendor management, and proficiency with household management technology. Language skills are increasingly important, especially for international households. However, the most critical qualifications are often intangible: absolute discretion, cultural sophistication, problem-solving ability, and emotional intelligence. Our recruiters help you prioritize requirements based on your specific needs.

Our replacement guarantee provides complete peace of mind with your hiring decision. If your House Manager doesn't work out within the guarantee period (length depends on position level), we'll find a replacement at no additional cost. This includes situations where the candidate resigns, is terminated, or mutually agrees the position isn't the right fit. Our guarantee reflects our confidence in our vetting process—fewer than 5% of our placements require replacement, compared to industry averages of 15-20%. The guarantee covers our professional fee only; you remain responsible for candidate salary and benefits during their employment.

Our seven-step vetting process is the most comprehensive in the industry. We conduct in-depth behavioral interviews assessing both technical competencies and soft skills crucial for private service. Background checks include criminal records across all countries of residence, credit history, and litigation searches. We verify all employment history, speaking directly with previous employers about performance, reliability, and discretion. Educational credentials and professional certifications are authenticated. We use validated psychometric assessments to evaluate personality fit and working style. For finalist candidates, we can arrange practical assessments or trial days. This rigorous process eliminates 94% of initial applicants, ensuring only exceptional candidates reach your shortlist.

House Manager compensation varies significantly based on experience level, responsibilities, location, and specific requirements of the role. During our initial consultation, we provide detailed salary benchmarking tailored to your specific situation and market conditions. This ensures your offer is competitive enough to attract quality candidates while remaining aligned with current market rates. We draw on our extensive placement experience to advise on the full compensation package including benefits, accommodation, and other factors that influence candidate decisions.

Yes, we have extensive experience navigating international employment requirements. We work with immigration specialists in major markets to facilitate work permits and visas for household staff. Our team can advise on visa categories appropriate for House Managers, typical processing timelines, and documentation requirements. We maintain relationships with immigration attorneys who understand the unique aspects of private household employment. While we don't provide legal services directly, we coordinate with your chosen immigration counsel and ensure candidates understand visa requirements before proceeding. Many of our candidates already have right-to-work status in multiple countries, which we verify during our vetting process.

Lighthouse recruits House Managers for positions worldwide, with particular strength in major markets like London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Monaco, Dubai, and Geneva. Our global network includes candidates willing to relocate for the right opportunity, and we maintain partnerships with trusted agencies in emerging markets. For remote estates or unique locations, we identify candidates with relevant experience and adventurous spirits. We're experienced in recruiting for challenging locations, from Scottish highlands estates to Caribbean islands. Our success comes from matching candidates' lifestyle preferences with your location's realities, ensuring long-term retention even in isolated settings.

Lighthouse excels at urgent placements without compromising quality. Our database of pre-vetted candidates means we can present qualified House Managers within 24 hours for truly urgent needs. We maintain relationships with excellent House Managers who can start on short notice, including those between positions or available for temporary-to-permanent arrangements. Our record for emergency placement is 72 hours from initial contact to start date. However, we'll be honest if your requirements and timeline create conflicts—we won't compromise our vetting standards just to fill a position quickly. For planned urgency, we recommend allowing at least two weeks for optimal results.

Starting your House Manager search is simple. Contact our team via phone or email to schedule a confidential consultation with a senior recruiter who specializes in household management positions. This 15-30 minute conversation will explore your household's specific needs, timeline, and any challenges you've faced with previous hires. Within 24-48 hours, you'll receive a curated shortlist of exceptional, pre-vetted candidates. There's no cost or obligation until you hire a candidate. Our consultants are available seven days a week to accommodate your schedule, and we can begin the search process immediately after our initial discussion.

House Managers work in diverse settings, from single-family penthouses to estates with multiple properties spanning continents. They manage urban residences where discretion among neighbors is crucial, country estates requiring agricultural knowledge, and vacation properties needing seasonal management expertise. Some oversee fully-staffed households with 20+ employees, while others work as sole staff members coordinating outside vendors. We place House Managers in traditional formal households maintaining centuries-old protocols and in modern tech-enabled smart homes. The unifying factor is the need for someone who can manage complex operations while maintaining the principal's lifestyle preferences and privacy requirements.

Modern House Managers must seamlessly integrate with family office operations, acting as the on-site operational arm for property matters. They provide detailed reporting on household expenditures, coordinate with family office executives on budgets and major purchases, and ensure household operations align with broader family governance structures. Strong House Managers understand financial reporting requirements, maintain audit-ready records, and can interface professionally with CPAs, attorneys, and investment advisors. They balance family office oversight with day-to-day autonomy, knowing when to escalate decisions and when to act independently. Our candidates are screened for their ability to work within these sophisticated structures while maintaining appropriate boundaries.