FeigonHamilton - Domestic and Corporate staffing, training and consulting for household professionals.

The family office can be comprised of a COO, CFO, general counsel, and many more support staff based on the activities of the principal and family or even extended family. Many FO are situated in a business office off-site where they can see vendors, conduct business meetings and even interview candidates all while keeping their employer's personal lifestyle confidential.

Director of estates, executive estate manager, general manager, or chief of staff; all newly created titles representing the "corporate style" structure some estates are using today. This is the personal business manager who is in charge of multiple residences, all staff, new land and homes acquisitions, as well as yachts, planes, art, and other purchases. The position requires a background with at least a college degree but many times an MBA. The principals desire backgrounds in some or all of the following: business management, general contractor, systems engineer, hospitality and also years experience working in a private residence. The manager's focus will be more of an analytical approach, researching and reporting all functionality, cost structures, negotiations and future growth.

The estate manager historically ran the "revenue producing" part of an estate and grounds. The butler ran the household. Today's estate manager coordinates the operations with the principals on all aspects of their property(ies) from the grounds to the house, automobiles, planes, boats, security, systems and more. They can oversee major renovations to full construction projects. They can be partially hands-on or strictly managerial. If there is no household manager, the estate manager may take over the day-to-day operations of the household.

The household manager assists the principal in effectively running the household, setting up standards of service, managing the housekeeping staff, hiring and managing vendors, setting and serving table. Each home has different needs depending on the square footage and the service requirements. If the residence has only a part-time housecleaner then your household manager might clean. If the needs are for daily meals but there is no chef, you can employ a household manager that also has talents in the kitchen. Whether the needs are hands-on or managerial, the household manager is the "invisible hand" behind the scene ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

The traditional butler is still well employed and active in America as well as other parts of the world. In the United States they are identical to the household manager in duties but possess the ambience of the more formal English butler. Hiring a butler versus a household manager depends on what style the client prefers.

Major Domo is the Italian or Spanish (major domestic) word for "head of the household". In the United States some employers call their estate manager or household manager a major domo but in reality even an executive housekeeper can be the major domo if they carry the weight of the management of the home.

Personal Assistant / Social Secretary. What once was called a social secretary; handling daily agendas, soirees, calendars and travel as well as packing, shopping and accompanying her lady on the road has now turned into a computer savvy, high tech, highly intelligent, personal/administrative assistant.

Gentleman's Gentleman. This antiquated title is still being used around the world for the personal companion to a single gentleman. The position would be likened to that of a traditional social secretary in conjunction with butler / valet duties.

Lady in waiting / lady's maid / wardrobe mistress. There is still a need in today's world for a top level attendant for the lady of the house. Care for extensive wardrobe, packing and unpacking, laundry, coordination of outfits for events, shoe care, jewelry care, shopping accessorizing and finally assistance with dressing are the major components of this position.

Valet is also a man servant to the gentleman of the home specializing in his wardrobe. The valet would also chauffeur and accompany the gentleman to business and social occasions and many times be his companion during extensive travel.

Couples or teams are utilized for their multiple talents. The positions tend to be live-in or live-on property for security reasons and the convenience of the employer.

Couple styles:

Management couple - personal assistant and estate manager

Management couple - household manager and estate manager

Management couple - chef and household manager

Domestic couple - cook and housekeeper with auto care and chauffeuring

Domestic couple - cook/housekeeper and ground care

Ranch / Farm couple - grounds, livestock, household and more

Chefs can either be culinary trained or have worked their way up the ladder in restaurants perfecting their talents under the tutelage of executive chefs. They should be familiar with a myriad of culinary styles, cuisines and dietary needs. The best personal chefs have worked in high end restaurants for numerous years before entering private service with the knowledge of wine pairing and plate presentation. The personal chef needs to have the skills to set and serve table. They are also responsible of the wine cellar, ordering wines, butler's pantry, catering / industrial kitchens, stocking, cleaning and sanitation. Some households require the chef to be able to cook for children and their pets.

Cooks are hired to create tasty, healthy family meals. Most cooks are able to execute small dinner parties or arrange for a caterer for large events. They are responsible for shopping, stocking, prepping, kitchen sanitation and cooking the meals. They will set and serve table when appropriate for the household.

Nanny / Family Assistant / Household Assistant. Each family has a different need in caring for their children. While some parents want their child to have the advantages of a full charge nanny, other parents like their nanny to assist in their "down time" with household needs. Tasks can include housecleaning, laundry, errands, appointments, and hiring vendors, helping during travel, cooking, driving and assisting with homework. These employees might have a degree in Early Childhood Development, Psychology, Sociology or other appropriate educational backgrounds. They help teach children second and third languages such as French, Spanish and Mandarin.

Companion for the elderly employer encompasses such duties as light housekeeping, shopping, making appointments, accompanying during luncheons, dinners and travel. The employee might be asked to cook, handle hygiene and even read to their employer. The position will be live-in for the comfort and safety of their employer. If twenty-four hour care is needed then two companions will be hired with shifts of three and one half days each. Nursing care is in addition to the companion since there are usually brought in for health care reasons.

Executive housekeeper is the head of the housecleaning team or considered a junior household manager responsible for hiring and managing the vendors, setting up events, guest care, flower care and extremely knowledgeable in the care of all surfaces. They will know how to manage wardrobe, laundry, ironing and organizing. They will set up the detailed rotation of cleaning, weekly, monthly and annually. This position might also be responsible for cooking all meals along with shopping and stocking the household.

Housemen handle everything from the detailed laundry of the family, to cleaning, to the heavier chores in the residence such as drapes, walls, ceilings, art work, rugs, carpets, floors and furniture care. The houseman can also act as a junior butler and greet guests and see to their needs. They will set up for events or parties and be there to execute and clean up at the end of the evening.

The chauffeur maintains and cares for one or more automobiles for the family. He/she will make sure they are washed, detailed, filled with gasoline, up-to-date on registration, maintenance and ready for use at any given time. They are responsible for making sure there are beverages, reading material and pre-set music for the comfort of their employer. They must have a perfect driving record and might have even taken advanced courses in special driving skills. Many chauffeurs are also required to have security training.

Security personnel are being hired to protect and safeguard estates, the family and property while traveling, driving to work or assigned to an individual child during school hours. They train the household and office staff in security measures and keep on top of those that have been issued the codes / keys to the grounds and residence. If the estate is equipped with Smart Home Technology the head of security will be responsible for monitoring the system.

Head gardener or Master Gardener is a hands-on manager of extensive grounds and its staff. The gardener will work together with the landscaper and general contractor to execute the desires of the principal in design and usage of the property. The gardener will also work with the chef or cook of the residence to ensure that the production of fruits, vegetables and herbs are in alignment with the needs of the family. He/she is responsible for the growing and maintaining of the garden, irrigations, water features, greenhouses, whether formal, informal, and wooded or lawn.