Estate Management

Estate Manager is the top level in the household. He or she works directly with the owners to plan and execute the overall management of property and service. Where there are large or multiple homes, the Estate Managers is the “C.E.O.” of the organization, carrying out the wishes of the owner at each location. Estate managers typically set the service standard and are responsible for the hiring, training, and ongoing management of staff required to meet the service needs of the household. In addition to personnel management, the administrative functions are many.

All related financial matters including accounting, budgets, and payroll normally pass through the EM’s hands. Based on the size of the property the Estate Manager may wear many other hats or delegate these functional areas to dedicated experts in the employer’s stable. Interfacing with accountants, attorneys, curators, captains, pilots, architects, financial advisors, and more is par for the course.

Common direct supervision tasks may include screening and overseeing outside vendors, contractors, construction projects, maintenance of grounds, collections, autos, yachts, private plants, etc. With multiple properties most EM’s travel ahead of their employer to get property ready for their arrival and bring the staff up to speed on any necessary changes or service requirements.

An Estate Manager may also be called upon to plan and execute events for the owner. This could range from a simple dinner for eight to a grand, formal gathering for eight hundred. For this mode an EM would regularly connect with top caterers, event planners, temporary service staff, and entertainment agencies. The levels of “hands-on” involvement can vary but to truly exemplify the Estate Manager title, the details of service are executed primarily via management, and not as a service provider.