A wonderful and welcoming family seeks a brilliant live-in domestic couple (preferably) or a housekeeper/cook to start as soon as possible.  The usual schedule will be Monday through Friday, but please be flexible to allow for some weekend help at busier periods of the year.

This is a really fantastic, varied role for dedicated, hard-working candidates who are keen to be part of a dynamic, fun and friendly household.  Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• All the usual cleaning and regular deep cleaning of the 8-bedroom home (to include wiping down surfaces, regular dusting and mopping, vacuuming, polishing etc)
• Cooking evening meals for the principals, and sometimes their teenage children.  Everyday home-cooking is fine - the current couple prepare the food in advance for the principals to heat up later.
• Batch cooking for the freezer on quieter days
• Occasional preparation of a light breakfast and lunch for one principal
• Wardrobe management and special care (to include hand-washing and taking items to the dry cleaners) for some beautiful and rather special clothes.  
• Clothing alterations, if possible - so hemlines, taking items in etc
• General animal care (3 dogs, 4 cats and 2 chickens!) to include dog walking twice daily if the principals are unable to, feeding, taking to the vet occasionally, cleaning up any mess, cleaning out chickens, collecting eggs etc
• Keeping an eye on provisions and letting the principals know when things are running low (cleaning items, pet food, general household items etc)
• General errands as and when needed, including receiving and returning orders, and helping with packing and unpacking
• Driving, including airport runs, occasional child-related pick ups and drop offs, London trips, and for elderly relatives
• Cleaning and general maintenance of cars
• General gardening and upkeep of grounds (not extensive and definitely manageable!)
• General DIY and handyman support around the home
• House- and pet-sitting on a regular basis, as the family travel frequently
• Helping with some entertaining (ideally able to cook confidently for guests.  If this isn't feasible, then help and support with the event wherever possible)
• Helping with the teenage children, when they are around, in a respectful way that upholds the family's values and boundaries but is also friendly and fun!

The family are keen to find a couple who are looking for a long-term role.  Their current couple are retiring after many happy years, and very much became part of the family.  Candidates should:

• Have a strong work ethic and a pitch in mentality.  The current couple are happy to support extended family with driving and general help during quieter times, and both principals run their own businesses and will sometimes need support with these as well.
• Definitely be pet-lovers!  Animal care will be a big part of the role and the principals are also trustees of an international animal charity, so there may some level of involvement with this as well
• Have gardening and grounds maintenance knowledge and experience (or willing to learn and quick to pick things up!)
• Be quick to learn the households routines and preferences, and able to stay a few steps ahead at all times
• Have a pitch-in mentality.  There will be huge variety in the role, and candidates should be happy to help out wherever asked
• Not mind constructive feedback, and should be adaptable and flexible around the family's needs and preferences
• Be safe, confident drivers with a clean license
• Demonstrate initiative
• Be available for regular house- and pet-sitting - you will receive notice, however there are occasional last minute trips that come up. 
• Be happy to support extended family and with the business-side of the principals' lives

• Accommodation is provided either in a separate cottage a couple of minutes away, or (if just one person) possibly on the top floor of the main house
• Generous salary on offer