For a lovely ultra-high net worth family living near Faro, Portugal we are looking for an experienced Live-in Domestic Couple (Housekeeper/ Houseman). Separate accommodation provided close to beaches. Experience of Mediterranean living preferred. No cooking required. This role would be ideal for candidates with yachting experience as service skills are beneficial.
- This role is advertised in the London area, but based in Portugal.
The stunning contemporary recently refurbished villa consists of 7 bedrooms & 13 bathrooms spread across 12000m² with ocean views, only part of which is used daily. In an adjacent house is a room/ bar/ kitchen which is used for meetings and entertaining. The gardens of approx. 5000m² and pool are taken care of by contractors. The villa has many large windows that are cleaned professionally. The family also own a 3 bedroom penthouse close by which is largely empty and occasionally needs to be cleaned or checked.
The villa contains much marble throughout, high end carpets in the bedrooms, a lot of copper, ornaments, some artwork, sculptures, crystals and objects d´art. It is kept secure by an alarm system and the entire interior from lights to AC to TV are controlled from a mobile phone by a smart system including the front door. Every room is decorated with flower arrangements created by the mother.
There is one full-time Portuguese housekeeper who speaks English and a Private Chef employed. There are no pets.
The property is a full-time residence and the owners are a couple (South African/ Portuguese) in their sixties and their son in his late twenties who lives between the UK and Portugal. Once a year the property gets shut down when the family go away for 2-3 weeks. The father and son frequently travel together on business and the mother remains at home. There are normally no guests or only very occasional guests staying over throughout the year, bar Christmas when there could be as many as 30 guests visiting.
There is a strong family structure and the family meet to have meals together, they often have traditional Sunday lunch or go out for meals together, deciding at short notice. Breakfast is at around 10am (during which the bedrooms are cleaned), lunch around 2.30pm and dinner around 8 or 8.30pm.
The atmosphere is friendly, calm and laid back with a little more formality on occasion.
The duties of the Domestic Couple (interchangeable between the two):
- Freshening up and tidying living areas
- Making beds and cleaning bathrooms (while family has breakfast)
- Cleaning rest of villa and other penthouse when required (mopping, wiping, vacuuming, dusting)
- Cleaning some window areas
- Taking care of all laundry (towels are changed after every use) and dry cleaning of high end items
- Ironing and steaming laundry (mostly smart casual) and putting away
- Assisting with packing
- Preparing and readying bedrooms (water, fresh towels, toiletries, etc.)
- Going shopping with the Mother and/ or the Private Chef
- Overseeing toiletries and cupboard organization
- Laying and decorating tables, folding napkins with attractive centre pieces
- Providing drinks (coffees throughout the day)
- Table service when required
- Lighting candles and incense
- Driving duties/ airport trips (30min) when required
- Valeting cars
- Keeping outside area tidy and clean (hosing down areas, watering plants, wiping furniture)
- Being aware of sun or humidity damage to furniture and carpets
- Assisting with small maintenance jobs
- Creating a household manual (a list of contractors exists)
- Overseeing contractors
- Deep cleaning the property when family travel
- Running errands
- Decorating the villa for special occasions
Requirements for the Domestic Couple:
- A min of 4 years´ experience together as a domestic couple
- Legal to work in the EU & UK/ work visas can be obtained
- Clean drivers licenses
- Previous experience in a warm EU climate preferred
- Fluency in English (Tagalog, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian speakers welcome but not limited to)
- High standard of housekeeping
- Ideally excellent front of house/ service skills
- Knowledge of cocktail making a plus
- Must be able to work autonomously and have an acute idea for detail with finesse
- No piercings or visible tattoos
- Ideally have longevity in past roles
- Excellent written references from past families
- A recent security check (to be obtained)
The domestic couple should have good knowledge of household organization (the villa is well organized but some things could still be improved on), work well as a team, be attentive and discreet. A yachting background is welcome. Being able to take the initiative and think of their own accord is key, as well as great communication skills.
The family previously employed a couple for over 5 years, who then started their own family. Over the winter season two yacht stewardesses were employed seasonally who returned to yachting. The family is seeking to place this role long term and treat their staff well. The family is spiritual and mind-full and the domestic couple should be acceptant of that.
Please note that the parents both smoke indoors.
Staff wear their own dark trousers/ shorts with branded shirts/ blouses or polo shirts provided.
Accommodation is a 2 bedroom apartment 200m away (photos are available) which is a 5 min. walk from a stunning sandy beach.
A staff car (automatic) is provided. Candidates should be able to drive a manual car. Nearest supermarket is 5 min. by car, nearest shopping centre 15 min. by car.
Hours: Mon- Fri, 8am-4pm with some flexibility if needed (1/2 hr for lunch). If work over the weekend is required (by both or one of the couple), time in lieu is given. Staff lunch can be provided, this is to be discussed, plus 28 days holidays incl. bank holidays. Working over Christmas will be required but some bank holidays are free.
Salary: €6000-9000 gross a month for the couple, depending on experience on a live-in basis. Bonuses to be discussed.
To start: As soon as possible
To apply please send a short cover letter and CV outlining your experience revelant to this job.