Position Overview
A private New York City family seeks an exceptional Estate Director & Chief of Staff to oversee all aspects of residential operations, personnel management, and strategic household administration across three properties. Ideal candidate will bring order, consistency and improvments to all aspects of family's residential operation.
This is a senior leadership position for a highly organized, proactive, and service-oriented executive who can seamlessly manage people, systems, projects, and properties while ensuring the highest standards of excellence, discretion, and efficiency. The Estate Director & Chief of Staff will serve as the family's trusted operational partner, providing leadership, accountability, and long-term strategic oversight for all household functions.
The ideal candidate views this role as operating a boutique enterprise, bringing together the disciplines of human resources, operations, hospitality, project management, and executive support. This individual will be equally comfortable setting strategy, building systems, developing talent, and addressing day-to-day operational needs with professionalism and discretion.
This position offers a unique opportunity to partner closely with a family that values excellence, discretion, kindness, and long-term relationships. The Estate Director & Chief of Staff will have the autonomy to build systems, develop talent, and create a best-in-class operation while serving as a trusted advisor and leader across all residential properties.
Core Responsibilities
Leadership & Personnel Management
- Lead, mentor, and manage all household employees across multiple residences.
- Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and develop high-performing staff.
- Establish clear expectations, service standards, and performance metrics.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and professional development reviews.
- Create staffing plans, schedules, and succession strategies to ensure seamless coverage.
- Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, respect, and exceptional service.
Estate & Property Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day operation and presentation of three private residences.
- Ensure all properties are maintained to the highest standards.
- Manage vendors, contractors, maintenance providers, and household service partners.
- Oversee preventative maintenance programs, capital improvements, and renovation projects.
- Develop and implement systems that improve operational efficiency and consistency across properties.
Strategic Planning & Administration
- Serve as the central coordinator for household operations and family priorities.
- Develop and manage household budgets and operational expenditures.
- Create policies, procedures, and operational manuals that support continuity and excellence.
- Identify opportunities to improve service, efficiency, and overall household performance.
- Track and manage special projects from planning through execution.
Family Support & Partnership
- Act as a trusted liaison between the family and household staff.
- Anticipate needs and proactively solve problems before they arise.
- Coordinate complex logistics, schedules, and household initiatives as needed.
- Handle sensitive matters with absolute discretion and confidentiality.
- Ensure that family priorities are executed thoughtfully, efficiently, and with attention to detail.
Qualifications
- Significant experience in estate management, private household leadership, luxury hospitality, family office operations, or a related field.
- Proven success managing multi-property operations and professional staff.
- Exceptional leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
- Strong financial acumen and budget management experience.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- High emotional intelligence, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly personalized environment.
Personal Characteristics
- Natural leader with executive presence.
- Resourceful, proactive, and solutions-oriented.
- Calm, composed, and decisive under pressure.
- Detail-oriented while maintaining a strategic perspective.
- Trustworthy, discreet, and highly professional.
- Committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of the role.
Compensation
Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including benefits and performance-based incentives.