household manager

Curo Help Household Manager - Seamless Household Management.

Expert household managers ensuring your home, staff, and lifestyle run seamlessly—wherever life takes you.

At Curo Help, we understand that running a private residence is far more than cleaning or maintenance—it’s orchestrating a world-class environment where every detail reflects your standards and lifestyle. Our global household managers combine discretion, leadership, and operational expertise to oversee staff, coordinate estates, and manage day-to-day operations for UHNW and VIP families.

Whether it’s a city penthouse, a countryside estate, a superyacht, or multiple international properties, our household managers ensure continuity, efficiency, and peace of mind, so you can focus on living life on your terms.

Our Household Managers Provide
• Staff Leadership & Coordination – Managing butlers, nannies, housekeepers, chefs, gardeners, and drivers.
• Estate Oversight – Ensuring all properties are maintained to impeccable standards.
• Budget & Inventory Management – Handling suppliers, maintenance, and household expenditure.
• Travel & Lifestyle Support – Seamlessly coordinating logistics, events, and international moves.
• Security Liaison – Working alongside security teams to maintain safety and discretion.
• Event & Hospitality Management – Planning and executing private functions or VIP entertaining.

Why Clients Choose a Curo Help Household Manager
• Highly experienced in UHNW and VIP household management.
• Complete discretion, reliability, and professionalism
• Seamless integration with existing staff and household structures
• Flexible placements: permanent, rotational, or travel-based
• Tailored management plans reflecting family priorities and lifestyle
• As we are not a recruitment agency … no fees.

Experience the peace of mind that comes from having a world-class household manager at your side. With Curo Help, your home runs flawlessly, your staff perform at the highest level, and your life stays uninterrupted.

Types of household manager available

1. Traditional Household Manager
• Oversees the smooth running of the entire home.
• Manages staff schedules, rotas, budgets, and inventories.
• Ensures the property is maintained to the highest standards.

2. Estate Household Manager
• Focused on large estates or multiple residences.
• Coordinates with estate managers, grounds staff, and external contractors.
• May oversee security, vehicles, and large-scale maintenance projects.

3. Travelling Household Manager
• Moves with the family between residences, yachts, or international properties.
• Provides continuity of operations wherever the family is located.
• Skilled at adapting household systems across different countries and cultures.

4. Household Manager with PA Duties
• Blends household management with personal assistant responsibilities.
• Manages family diaries, travel, events, and personal errands in addition to household oversight.
• Suited to UHNW families who prefer a streamlined, single point of contact.

5. Formal Household Manager
• Suited to homes with large staff teams and a highly traditional structure.
• Manages butlers, valets, nannies, chefs, and housekeepers with a focus on formality and discretion.
• Often comes from a luxury hospitality or royal household background.

6. Informal Household Manager
• Works in smaller or more relaxed households, often taking a hands-on approach.
• May assist with light duties (shopping, organising, liaising with tradespeople).
• Popular in younger UHNW families who prefer a less hierarchical feel.

7. Specialist Household Manager
• Brings niche expertise alongside management:
o Security-focused – coordinates personal and property security.
o Events-focused – manages social calendars, parties, and entertaining.
o Travel-focused – ensures logistics for global lifestyles run seamlessly.

In UHNW households, it’s common to see a hybrid role — for example, a Household Manager with PA duties who also has event management expertise, ensuring absolute discretion and flawless execution.

Primary household manager Duties

Staff Management

Hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising household staff (cleaners, cooks, gardeners, nannies, chauffeurs, etc.)

Conducting performance reviews and resolving staff issues

Ensuring staff follow protocols, standards, and confidentiality

Household Operations

Overseeing daily running of the home, ensuring cleanliness, order, and maintenance

Managing home repairs and coordinating with contractors, vendors, and service providers

Supervising deliveries, shipments, and mail handling

Budgeting and Record Keeping

Managing household budgets and expenses

Tracking invoices, payments, and purchases

Preparing reports for the employer on household spending

Event and Travel Planning

Organizing family events, parties, and social gatherings

Arranging travel logistics including accommodations, transport, and itineraries

Coordinating with personal assistants or other staff for schedules

Security and Safety

Implementing and monitoring home security systems

Ensuring health and safety compliance in the household

Managing emergency procedures and preparedness

Personal Assistance (Optional)

Running errands and shopping for household needs

Managing calendars, appointments, and communications

Assisting with personal or family needs as requested

Core Skills for Household Managers

Leadership & Staff Management

Hiring, training, and supervising diverse household staff

Conflict resolution and motivation

Delegating tasks efficiently and monitoring performance

Organizational Skills

Coordinating daily household operations seamlessly

Scheduling maintenance, appointments, and events

Managing multiple priorities and deadlines without oversight

Financial & Budget Management

Tracking household expenses and budgeting wisely

Managing invoices, payroll, and vendor payments

Negotiating contracts and service agreements

Communication Skills

Clear, professional communication with staff, vendors, and employers

Discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information

Reporting and documenting household activities and issues

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Quick thinking to resolve emergencies or unexpected challenges

Anticipating household needs proactively

Implementing solutions efficiently under pressure

Technical & Administrative Skills

Familiarity with home technology (security systems, smart home devices)

Proficiency with software tools for scheduling, budgeting, and communication

Maintaining detailed records and inventories

Personal Qualities

Reliability – You rely heavily on the household manager’s dependability

Discretion – Essential for maintaining privacy and trust

Attention to Detail – Ensures smooth running and high standards

Flexibility – Adaptability to changing schedules and unexpected needs

Leadership – Inspires confidence and respect among staff

Essential household manager Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent as a minimum

A degree in hospitality, management, or related fields is a plus

Experience

Proven experience managing private households, estates, or luxury properties

Supervising and coordinating household staff

Budget and vendor management

Relevant Certifications

Household Management Course/Certification – Programs like the International Institute of Modern Butlers or estate management courses

Hospitality or Hotel Management Diploma – Adds valuable skills in service and operations

First Aid & CPR Certification – Important for safety and emergency readiness

Food Safety Certification – Useful if overseeing kitchens or catering

Security Training – For managing home security systems and protocols

Technical Proficiency

Familiarity with home automation, security, and maintenance systems

Competence with budgeting and scheduling software

Preferred Soft Skills

Strong leadership and communication

Discretion and professionalism

Organizational and multitasking abilities

Problem-solving aptitude

Household Manager - Live in or Live Out

A household manager can be either live-in or live-out, depending on the employer’s needs, the size of the residence or estate, and the scope of responsibilities.

Live-In Household Manager

Lives on the employer’s property (in private staff quarters or a separate apartment).

Typical Scenario:

Large estates or homes with 24/7 oversight needs

High-profile or UHNW (Ultra High Net Worth) families

Staff management, event support, and emergency response required

Benefits:

Immediate availability in emergencies

Higher level of trust and integration with the household

Housing and some utilities usually provided

Considerations:

Less personal privacy

May be expected to work long or irregular hours

Must provide appropriate accommodation

Live-Out Household Manager

Lives off-site and commutes during scheduled hours.

Typical Scenario:

Medium to large households that don’t require 24/7 presence

Role focused on daily operations, vendor oversight, and admin tasks

More common in urban or suburban settings

Benefits:

Clear boundaries between work and personal life

Flexibility for the manager and the household

May still be available on-call or for emergencies

Considerations:

Not available overnight unless arranged

Commuting time could delay emergency response

May require additional staff to cover off-hours

Which Setup Is Best?

24/7 oversight, events, travel – Live-In might be better

Regular admin & staff coordination – Live-Out might be better

Estate with multiple residences – Live-In might be better

City home with part-time staff – Live-Out might be better