We provide exceptional staffing solutions for every household.
We work closely with you to understand your needs and introduce trusted, highly qualified professionals who fit seamlessly into your household. Every search is discreet, efficient, and tailored to you.
FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD
A considered
approach to hiring.
Follow the steps below to begin finding the right professional for your household.
HIRE STAFFPROCESS OVERVIEW
Consult
We learn about your household’s needs.
Shortlist
We present handpicked candidates.
Interview
You meet and evaluate the finalists.
Trial period
We coordinate a trial period to confirm the right fit.
Placement
Once the match is confirmed, we finalize the placement and support onboarding.
KEY BENEFITS
Personal attention.
Practical support.
A clear process, informed by experience in private households.
Carefully screened candidates
A focused shortlist to help you make an informed hiring decision.
Ivy Estate Agency supports private households and estates with a clear, organized hiring process. Clients are introduced only to candidates who have been carefully screened for relevant experience, discretion, and compatibility with the role.
One point of contact
A clear line of communication from the first introduction.
We manage candidate outreach, interviews, and trial coordination, allowing clients to avoid juggling multiple conversations or schedules. All communication is centralized through our team, confidentiality is maintained, and support continues through the onboarding phase.
Firsthand household experience
An understanding of the work behind a well-run household.
What sets us apart is our hands-on knowledge of private household operations. Our team has worked in many of the roles we recruit for, enabling us to guide both clients and candidates toward well-matched, long-term placements.
A search shaped around your household
The right fit begins with understanding how you live.
We take a personalized, relationship-driven approach to every search, investing time to understand each household’s structure, expectations, and long-term goals. This allows us to present candidates who align seamlessly with both the role and the household culture.
Support after placement
A lasting connection with our team.
Our involvement extends beyond the placement itself. We remain a trusted point of contact after hiring, offering continued guidance and support as needs evolve to help ensure a smooth, successful working relationship.
Key Roles in Domestic Staffing
We recognize that hiring someone to work in your home is a significant and highly personal decision. That is why we carefully review each candidate’s experience and references as part of our vetting process. We look for professionals who take pride in their work and understand the standards, discretion, and trust required in a private home.
Salary and hourly ranges are general guides. Compensation varies by location, experience, responsibilities, household size and staffing, schedule, and travel requirements. Specialized skills, broader duties or more demanding schedules may command higher pay. Actual offers may fall outside these ranges and may include overtime pay, bonuses and benefits. We tailor our guidance to each household and local market.
Explore roles
The Director of Residences leads the operation of a family’s residential portfolio, usually through estate managers, house managers and property teams. Their focus is the homes as a whole: consistent service, coordinated resources and long-term property planning across locations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Set portfolio budgets and review spending with property managers.
- Recruit and develop residential leaders and establish service standards.
- Prioritize major renovations, construction and capital improvements.
- Coordinate seasonal transitions and readiness for family stays, guests and events.
The Chief of Staff works directly with the principal to oversee their personal and household priorities. Depending on the role, this may also include business or philanthropic projects. They coordinate household leadership, assistants and outside advisers around the principal’s wider agenda. The scope of their authority depends on the family’s structure.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare decision briefs and follow through on the principal’s decisions.
- Set deadlines and resolve competing priorities across teams.
- Lead special projects and coordinate complex travel or event plans.
- Keep the principal informed of progress, risks and matters requiring approval.
The Estate Manager oversees a large estate or several homes, with direct responsibility for household and property operations. The role combines staff leadership and financial oversight with close coordination of maintenance, grounds and property projects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Hire and train staff, with clear household procedures.
- Review vendor proposals, contracts and operating expenses.
- Manage construction and renovation projects, including contractors and timelines.
- Plan staffing and property readiness for family stays, guests and events.
The House Manager leads the day-to-day running of a residence, with a focus on household routines, service and the family’s immediate needs. They work closely with staff and vendors to keep the home organized, well supplied and ready for family and guests.
Key Responsibilities:
- Organize staff schedules and daily service priorities.
- Track household supplies, purchases and family preferences.
- Arrange routine maintenance and follow up on repairs.
- Coordinate guest visits, dinner parties and household events.
A Domestic Couple works as a team to provide comprehensive support for a private household or estate. Together, they oversee the day-to-day care of the residence, helping ensure the property is well maintained and the household runs smoothly.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee cleaning, laundry, organization, and household routines
- Handle light maintenance, groundskeeping, and property upkeep
- Prepare the residence for family arrivals, guests, and special events
- Assist with childcare, pet care, and guest services when required
- Manage vendors, errands, and household supplies
A Personal Assistant supports the private life of an individual or family, providing continuity as their plans and needs change. Their focus is personal service and coordination, working with household staff and outside providers to keep everyday arrangements running smoothly.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage personal calendars, appointments and reservations.
- Arrange family travel and transportation.
- Handle errands, purchases, gifting and personal expenses.
- Coordinate family and guest arrangements and private events.
An Executive Assistant supports the principal’s professional commitments and private-office administration. They manage access, information and follow-through across business contacts and advisers, helping the principal stay prepared and focused. Private roles may also include selected personal matters.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prioritize professional calendars and coordinate meetings.
- Prepare correspondence, briefing materials and follow-up.
- Arrange business travel and reconcile expenses.
- Coordinate advisers, office projects and business events.
The Private Chef provides personalized culinary services for a household, delivering meals tailored to the principals’ tastes, dietary preferences, and lifestyle. They manage all aspects of the kitchen, from menu planning and ingredient sourcing to preparing daily meals and coordinating dining for special events.
Key Responsibilities:
- Create customized menus based on family preferences, dietary needs, and seasonal ingredients
- Source high-quality ingredients and maintain a well-stocked pantry
- Prepare daily meals and provide culinary service for special events and formal entertaining
- Maintain kitchen cleanliness, organization, and food safety standards
- Manage vendor relationships, including local purveyors, farmers, and specialty suppliers
The Executive Housekeeper leads the housekeeping team and ensures every area of the residence is maintained to the household’s standards. They oversee staff, schedules, inspections, supplies, and the consistent presentation of the home.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise, train, and schedule housekeeping staff
- Establish cleaning procedures and conduct quality inspections
- Manage inventories of cleaning supplies, linens, and household goods
- Coordinate laundry, wardrobe care, and seasonal deep-cleaning projects
The Housekeeper maintains the cleanliness, organization, and presentation of the home. They uphold the family’s standards of comfort and order.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform daily cleaning and organization throughout the residence
- Provide laundry, linen, and basic wardrobe care as required
- Care for furnishings, surfaces, and household items using appropriate methods
- Complete seasonal and deep-cleaning projects
The Laundress provides specialized care for clothing, linens, and fine fabrics, ensuring the household’s wardrobes and textiles are properly cleaned, pressed, organized, and maintained.
Key Responsibilities:
- Wash, press, steam, and finish garments and linens
- Care for delicate fabrics, couture pieces, and specialty items
- Manage dry-cleaning, repairs, and alterations
- Organize closets and rotate seasonal wardrobes
The Houseman provides hands-on support throughout the household, ensuring the property is well-maintained, organized, and always prepared for family and guest use.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with indoor and outdoor cleaning, organization, and upkeep
- Provide support for household events and entertaining
- Perform light handyman tasks and basic maintenance
- Serve as a versatile “jack of all trades” for household needs
The Butler provides attentive, personalized service to the principals and their guests. They oversee front-of-house service, formal dining, entertaining, and the presentation of guest-facing areas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide formal and informal table, beverage, and wine service
- Welcome guests and oversee entertaining and special events
- Maintain silver, china, crystal, and other fine household items
- Provide direct service to the principal and guests
The Chauffeur provides safe, discreet, and reliable transportation for the principals, family members, and guests. They manage transportation schedules and ensure all assigned vehicles are clean, maintained, and ready for use.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive principals and guests to appointments and events
- Maintain vehicle cleanliness, fuel, service records, and maintenance
- Assist with luggage, errands, airport transfers, and travel logistics
Security staff protect the principals, guests, and property through discreet monitoring, planning, and coordination. Responsibilities may include residential security, access control, travel support, and event coverage.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor property access, alarms, cameras, and surveillance systems
- Conduct security assessments and maintain emergency procedures
- Provide security support during travel, events, and high-profile visits
Based in Los Angeles, Ivy Chef Agency places world-class private chefs nationwide for full-time roles, short-term engagements, private events, and personalized meal preparation.
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