Estate Manager Traveling Between Properties

Are You Looking to Hire an Estate Manager in the Chicago Area? 

My Household Managed (MHM) connects family offices and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) and families with experienced & high-end estate managers.

Whether you have one luxury Chicago residence, or multiple fine homes across the United States, My Household Managed is able to assist in your search for your dream employee.

    • 35 hours per week or more, hourly rate of $65+

What Is the Role of an Estate Manager?

An estate manager will be able to wear multiple hats. This role will report to a Chief of Staff / Director of Residences or directly to the Principal of a home, depending on the size of the property(s). An estate manager can sometimes work remotely or will work in a home office.  Overall, the duties are different for every residence.

Estate managers handle a variety of responsibilities and are considered β€œtop level” in the household staff list, with very few positions ranking above them. They must possess skills similar to that of an HR department or business manager, all while maintaining a β€œservice-minded” attitude and a knowledge of caring for luxury items such as fine art and antiques.

How Long Does It Take To Become an Estate Manager?

Estate managers often have 20+ years of experience working as a private household employee. Their experience includes a long history of working in fine private homes, often for High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) individuals. Many estate managers have previous experience as nannies/mannies, personal assistants, house managers, private chefs, butlers, housemen, and majordomos, working their way up the ranks to their current role.

What Skills Are Needed to Be an Estate Manager?

The estate manager must possess good people skills, a strong business acumen, financial and operational expertise, experience with fine and luxury items, and attention to detail. They must be able to hire and oversee multiple staff, as well as step in to perform the role themselves, if needed in a pinch. An estate manager must be flexible and adaptable in order to step in at a moment's notice to manage an urgent situation or respond to last minute requests. An estate manager is well versed in the world of High Net Worth and celebrity clients and is able to maintain discretion and privacy for their Principal to the utmost degree.

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How Can a MHM Estate Manager Help Your Family and Residences?

An Estate Manager Can Help With a Large Home And/or Multiple Out of State Properties.

An estate manager is called upon to oversee a single estate or multiple fine residences and the surrounding properties. The estate manager will maintain household manuals, oversee staff & vendors, visit properties, and make sure all projects and household operations are running smoothly. With the support of an estate manager, you can have peace of mind that your household operations are in order while you travel for work or personal reasons. 

An Estate Manager Can Help if You Employ Other Household Staff.

An estate manager would be a great addition to your household staff if you already employ domestic staff, if your property is frequently visited by multiple vendors and contractors, or if you have a large home and need to depend on one individual to oversee multiple facets of your life. Your estate manager is someone with operational and administrative capabilities that will report to you and help you stay organized while other household staff manage the day-to-day hands-on care of your household.

An Estate Manager Can Help Oversee Larger Projects and Multiple Residences.

If your home is undergoing renovations, if you frequently travel between properties, or if you have an existing team of household staff, having a dedicated person whose sole job is to oversee projects, manage vendors, pay bills, and handle administrative duties can make it easier to keep your large home running smoothly and efficiently. 

Private dinner party chicago

What Skills Does an Estate Manager Bring to Their Role?

  • Discretion and Confidentiality

  • Administrative & Budgeting Skills

  • Technological Expertise

  • Excellent Communication

  • Service-Minded Attitude

  • Flexibility (able to β€œwear multiple hats”)

  • Strong Leadership Skills

  • Collaborative

  • Attention to Detail

  • Proactive, Self-starter

  • Knowledge of Luxury Homes, Fine Art, & Antiques

  • Knowledge of Fine Fabric, Materials, and Designer Clothing

  • Experience in Hotel Management

  • Excellent Work Ethic

  • Cheerful, Bright Disposition

  • Asset Management

  • Entertaining and Event Production

  • Travel Ready (Domestic and International)

What’s the Difference Between an Estate Manager and a House Manager?

Estate Manager VS Household Manager

A household manager is hands-on in order to manage the day to day operations of the inner workings of one traditional household. In addition to cleaning staff, a house manager can be the sole employee for a home, assisting with light childcare or personal errands.

If your household is over 5,000 square ft, if your property includes multiple structures or buildings, if you reside in multiple homes, or if you require assistance in managing a fleet of vehicles, a yacht, or a private plane, an estate manager will be right for you. An estate manager specializes in high quality service and has a high level of personal and financial accountability, running the home much like an efficient business would be run. An estate manager oversees other household staff in the home and acts as the β€œright hand” to the Principals of the home. An estate manager position is not for everyone, especially with the high level of responsibility, specialized requirements, and β€œ24-7” mentality that accompanies it.

fine luxury home art collection

What Services Does a MHM Estate Manager Provide?

An estate manager runs a home like a well-oiled machine. An estate manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the home, maintaining household manuals and home security procedures, establishing protocols, and managing short and long-term projects. Some of the duties include of an estate manager include:

  • Managing Multiple Fine Residences

  • Operations and Logistics

  • Budget Creation and Oversight

  • Staff Recruitment, Training, Documentation, Payroll and Supervision

  • Estate Organization & Inventory Control

  • Business and Family Office Communications

  • Recordkeeping and Gifting Programs

  • Art Collection Administration

  • Construction and Renovation Project Management

  • Vendor Management and Contract Negotiations

  • Preventative Maintenance

  • Seasonal Property Management

  • Private Jet and Luxury Vehicle Fleet Management

  • International and Domestic Travel Coordination

  • Event Planning and Production

  • Meal Planning and Wine Collection Supervision

  • Security Protocols for VIPs and Public Figures

How Much Does an Estate Manager Cost?

Hourly rates for estate managers typically begin at $65 per hour pre-tax, or $135,200 gross annually, but competitive salaries can be as high as $400,000 per year with full benefits packages and a generous bonus.  Pay can be heavily dependent on the experience of the candidate and the extent of your needs. View our placement packages here.

Why Work With My Household Managed to Hire an Estate Manager?

My Household Managed is a professional domestic staffing agency that specializes in helping busy families and high net worth individuals hire exceptional household employees. Rooted in hospitality with over 13 years of industry experience, we know what to look for in the ideal estate manager. We are a trusted and reliable company that you can count on to take care of your unique household needs. We offer a wide range of domestic staffing services, and we will work with you to find the perfect estate manager for your family, including a custom estate manager job description tailored to your requirements.

 How Do I Get Started with MHM?

If you are an individual or a family office interested in finding an Estate Manager through MHM, your first step is to fill out a family registration form. This will allow our team to learn a little more about your needs. Once we receive your registration, a member of our team will be in touch with you personally. You can fill out your registration form here.


 My Household Managed is a leading domestic staffing agency in Chicago. 

We’re here to help you find the perfect estate manager for your residence. Our extensive screening and interview process provides our families with an added level of security and reassurance that their families and households will be in great hands. 

Need more questions answered about working with MHM? 

Request a free discovery call here.

We look forward to making your life a little easier!