Terms - Starkey International Institute for Household Management

Starkey International Institute

Private Service Titles and Positions - 2010

Terms and Titles continue to be challenging for the Private Service industry due to old cultural patterns of the profession, the lack of knowledge and management expectations of both the employers and the employees, and because the industry as a group has not been able to agree upon titles as each position is unique. Salaries are typically determined based upon three main factors: The difficulty factor of the position, the experience, education, knowledge base required of the professional to be qualified for the position, and the location(s) and cost of living.

The Estate Manager is an administrative service professional who possesses a mature and seasoned knowledge of Service Management Systems, expertise with multiple homes or in small luxury hotels, and knowledge of working within the Luxury Marketplace, in the Service Environment and throughout the Grounds and Property. This person must possess basic Human Resource principles, overall knowledge of Transportation and Security, and understand his or her role as part of the Family Office team. This professional must understand the relationship of service and appropriate Private Service and business etiquette protocol. This professional must be able to identify all Service Standards, organize work schedules, train, and manage all service staff required to fulfill all Standards for large Estates of generally 18,000 square feet or more, and/or for busy families with multiple residences. HQ Service Management Software is essential. Salaries are currently between $125,000 and $300,000 per year with full benefits, and if appropriate to the position plus housing.

The term “Certified Household Manager” was coined and developed in 1981 by Starkey International. The term introduces into the marketplace a professional who is trained in the overall management of a private home. This position may be a Butler in the British tradition, Personal Assistant, Household Manager, or Military Enlisted Aide in the American tradition. This individual has been trained and/or is experienced in all aspects of the private home and has a working knowledge of a developing a Household Service Management System. The focus is primarily the Home and Service Environment. The skills would include a working knowledge of Human Resources, management and training of service contractors and personnel, and the hands-on technical experience necessary to personally perform or train others within a Service Environment, including Administrative, Cleaning, Maintenance, Clothing, Cooking, and Entertaining Standards. HQ Service Management Software is essential. This person’s skills are more appropriate for homes between 5,000 and 17,000 square feet. Salaries are currently between $50,000 and $125,000 per year with benefits, plus housing.

Hospitality Butler or Gentleman's Gentleman comes to life in P.G. Wodehouse’s stories of the British Butler Jeeves and his Employer Bertie Wooster. Jeeves does save the day! The Butlers in these stories are companions and artists of discretion for their Employers. The term Gentleman’s Gentleman was used if the Butler was in service to a single gentleman. In Europe and elsewhere, we have again begun the training of the traditional British Butlers. However, the term “Butler” typically refers to the classic British service style within the profession of Private Service Management. The American version of the Gentleman’s Gentleman or Butler has gained expertise in an Old Guard home and also has a more formal and structured style of service. Butlers outside of the traditional British tradition need to be trained in and have the use of a service management model to perform in a structured style of service. Butlers may provide some administrative duties, cooking, entertaining, wine knowledge, clothing/valet, and light cleaning. Salaries are currently between $50,000 and $100,000 per year with benefits plus housing on property.

The Personal Assistant has become popular within the Entertainment and Personality community on both coasts, is typically business and computer literate, and has obtained administrative experience in the corporate world. Personal Assistants focus on Administrative Standards and support of the Principals of the home, including identification of Vendors and Resources, maintaining Appointments, Schedules, Bookkeeping, Entertaining Standards, and support with Invitations, RSVPs, Gift Buying, Transportation, and Travel Standards, and generally do not provide direct management of the staff or home. HQ Service Management Software is essential. Current Salaries are $50,000 to $80,000 per year with benefits, typically without housing.

Private Chefs typically have a culinary arts degree or have been trained in the restaurant community, and focus on developing an expertise in cooking for a private home, yacht, or other private service environment. Household Chefs require the education of a service management model to be able to identify Flavor Profiles in the preparation of menus and selections of wine, keep a household-appropriate kitchen, possess an expertise in diets or food substitutions, and have a working knowledge of household entertaining, formal and informal. Current Salaries are between $60,000 and $100,000 per year without housing.

Household Couples function at a Household, Estate Management, and Chef-level, or at the domestic Houseman/Housekeeper-level. Prior life experience, culinary background, household management, and service training determines their management and technical skills abilities. HQ Software required. Current salaries are between $90,000 and $200,000 a year with benefits, plus housing on property.

Family Attendant is often the title given to the man or woman who is caring for the school age children or an elderly grandparent within the Environment. The Principals hold the overall management duties and responsibilities. The Family Attendant prepares simple meals, organizes and drives their charges to school activities, play dates, recreational and entertaining events, and keep an overall watchful eye while performing daily household tasks. Depending upon their Day in the Life schedule, they might also support the Housekeeper or Houseman in cleaning and laundry duties. (Nannies are primarily for children 5 and under). Current salaries are between $40,000 and $80,000 per year with benefits plus housing on property.

The terms Housekeeper or Houseman are used in the U.S. and abroad and are generally considered domestic help in homes and in hotels. Some speak English well and are able to communicate effectively, but typically are not managers and need technical skill training and organizational supervision. They can be highly skilled in cleaning, laundry, maintenance and property and grounds. Their positions can be full- or part-time, and they can be live-in or live-out day workers. Current salaries are between $40,000 and $60,000 per year with benefits.

Caretakers are typically utilized in second or third properties in lieu of a Household Manager. The Employers are not often in residence, and when they are, they bring other staff to provide for the personal service needs. Duties may include cleaning, laundry, and care of the outside Grounds and Property. Personal service is generally not requested. These positions are typically live-on property with a $25,000 to $50,000 salary.

Excerpt from Mrs. Starkey’s Original Guide to Private Service Management, February 2010

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