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Domestic Couple

Domestic Couple job in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Sulaymaniyah

Job Description

A prestigious and highly discreet High-Net-Worth family is seeking an experienced professional Domestic Couple to take responsibility for the daily operation and presentation of their newly established private estate in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

The estate comprises a principal residence and a separate guesthouse used for private family occasions, VIP visits, business receptions, official functions and social entertaining.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished couple with a strong background in luxury private estates, palaces, five-star hotels, family offices or UHNW households.

The couple will work as a coordinated management team alongside approximately 25 household employees, including butlers, housekeepers, chefs, gardeners, drivers, technicians and security personnel.

The two positions are:

  • Estate Manager / Personal Assistant & Lifestyle Manager
  • Head Housekeeper

Both individuals will have clearly defined areas of responsibility while working closely together to ensure the estate operates with impeccable efficiency, hospitality and discretion.

Responsibilities

Position 1 – Estate Manager / Personal Assistant & Lifestyle Manager

Estate & Household Operations

The Estate Manager will take overall responsibility for the efficient operation of the property and act as the principal operational liaison between the family and household team.

Key duties will include:

  • Managing the daily operation of the principal residence and guesthouse.
  • Ensuring the property, facilities and guest areas are consistently maintained to exceptional standards.
  • Coordinating contractors, suppliers, technicians and external service providers.
  • Establishing and maintaining household policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Conducting regular inspections across the estate.
  • Planning and monitoring maintenance programmes, refurbishment works and improvement projects.
  • Managing operational budgets, purchasing, inventories and household expenditure.
  • Monitoring costs and ensuring resources are used efficiently.
  • Ensuring all household departments communicate and work effectively together.

Staff Management & Leadership

The Estate Manager will provide senior leadership to a multidisciplinary household team of approximately 25 employees.

Responsibilities include:

  • Supervising department heads and senior household personnel.
  • Working closely with the Head Butler, Head Housekeeper, Private Chef, Security Supervisor and Maintenance Supervisor.
  • Recruiting and onboarding new household employees.
  • Establishing training and development programmes.
  • Preparing staffing schedules, duty rosters and operational workflows.
  • Conducting performance reviews and providing ongoing feedback.
  • Maintaining professional standards, household etiquette and confidentiality protocols.
  • Creating a positive, respectful and service-focused working environment.

Personal Assistant & Lifestyle Management

The successful candidate will also provide comprehensive support to the principals, including:

  • Managing calendars, appointments and personal schedules.
  • Organising domestic and international travel.
  • Coordinating flights, visas, accommodation, transportation and detailed itineraries.
  • Handling confidential correspondence and personal administration.
  • Organising personal shopping, errands, wardrobe requirements and lifestyle services.
  • Assisting with the management and care of valuable personal possessions, luxury assets and collections.
  • Liaising with family offices, advisers and specialist service providers.
  • Acting as a trusted and discreet point of contact for the family’s personal requirements.

Hospitality & Events

The Estate Manager will oversee the operational planning of:

  • Private dinners and family celebrations.
  • Business receptions.
  • Official functions.
  • VIP visits.
  • Special events and gatherings.

Working closely with the Head Butler and Private Chef, the Estate Manager will coordinate guest accommodation, transportation, catering, entertainment and logistics to ensure an exceptional experience.

Security & Confidentiality

  • Maintain absolute confidentiality regarding the family’s private, personal and professional affairs.
  • Work closely with security personnel to protect the privacy and safety of the principals and their guests.
  • Ensure household security protocols are consistently followed.
  • Act as a senior operational contact during emergencies.

Position 2 – Head Housekeeper

Housekeeping Management

The Head Housekeeper will have full responsibility for the housekeeping department across both the main residence and guesthouse.

Duties will include:

  • Planning daily, weekly and seasonal housekeeping programmes.
  • Supervising the housekeeping team and allocating daily responsibilities.
  • Ensuring the entire estate consistently meets luxury hospitality standards.
  • Conducting detailed inspections and implementing quality-control procedures.
  • Remaining hands-on and assisting with housekeeping duties when operationally required.
  • Ensuring appropriate care of fine furniture, artwork, specialist surfaces, luxury finishes and delicate materials.
  • Maintaining guest rooms and reception areas in a permanently guest-ready condition.

Laundry & Wardrobe

The Head Housekeeper will oversee all aspects of laundry and wardrobe management, including:

  • Care of personal clothing and uniforms.
  • Management of luxury linens, towels and guest bedding.
  • Organisation of wardrobes and seasonal clothing rotations.
  • Appropriate treatment of delicate and specialist fabrics.
  • Maintaining high standards of presentation and garment care.

Team Leadership

The successful candidate will supervise and develop a team of approximately 5–6 Housekeepers.

Responsibilities include:

  • Organising daily duties and schedules.
  • Training and mentoring housekeeping personnel.
  • Conducting regular inspections.
  • Maintaining consistent quality standards.
  • Supporting recruitment and onboarding.
  • Encouraging teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

Stock & Maintenance

  • Monitor housekeeping supplies, equipment and consumables.
  • Maintain accurate inventories.
  • Place orders within approved budgets.
  • Ensure storage rooms are clean, organised and efficiently managed.
  • Identify maintenance issues and coordinate with the relevant department to arrange repairs.

Collaboration

The Head Housekeeper will work closely with:

  • Estate Manager
  • Head Butler
  • Butlers
  • Private Chef
  • Security team
  • Maintenance department
  • Other household personnel

The role will include coordinating intensive cleaning before and after family visits, VIP stays and major events.

Responsibilities Shared by the Domestic Couple

Both members of the couple will be expected to:

  • Work collaboratively to ensure the seamless operation of the estate.
  • Maintain exceptional standards of presentation, service and professionalism.
  • Provide discreet and personalised service to the principals and their guests.
  • Maintain absolute confidentiality.
  • Support other departments when operationally necessary.
  • Contribute to a positive and respectful household culture.
  • Assist with special projects and additional responsibilities requested by the principals.

Job Requirements

Estate Manager / Personal Assistant & Lifestyle Manager

The ideal candidate will have:

  • 5–10 years of senior experience in estate management, household management, luxury hospitality, family offices or a comparable environment.
  • Proven experience managing large private household teams, ideally 20+ employees.
  • Previous experience supporting HNW or UHNW families is highly desirable.
  • Strong operational, financial, administrative and hospitality management skills.
  • Excellent leadership and staff-management capabilities.
  • Strong written and spoken English.
  • Additional languages would be advantageous.

Head Housekeeper

The ideal candidate will have:

  • 5–8 years of experience in luxury hotels, private estates, palaces or UHNW private households.
  • Previous experience leading or supervising a housekeeping team.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of luxury housekeeping and presentation standards.
  • Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Experience working within highly confidential environments.
  • Strong leadership and team-management abilities.

Key Competencies

The successful couple should collectively demonstrate expertise in:

  • Estate and household management
  • Luxury housekeeping
  • Staff leadership and development
  • Recruitment and training
  • Personal and executive assistance
  • Lifestyle management
  • Luxury hospitality
  • VIP guest relations
  • Event coordination
  • Procurement and inventory control
  • Vendor and contractor management
  • Budget administration
  • SOP development
  • Process improvement
  • Problem solving
  • Decision making
  • Confidentiality and discretion
  • Security awareness

Personal Attributes

The family is looking for a couple who are:

  • Highly organised and proactive
  • Professional and service-driven
  • Trustworthy and discreet
  • Calm and composed under pressure
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Strong natural leaders
  • Excellent communicators
  • Positive and hands-on
  • Accountable and dependable
  • Exceptionally attentive to detail

Reporting Structure

The Estate Manager / Personal Assistant & Lifestyle Manager will report directly to the Principal or designated Family Representative and will oversee the overall coordination of estate operations, household staff, hospitality and lifestyle services.

The Head Housekeeper will report directly to the Estate Manager and will be responsible for the housekeeping department, including its team, standards, schedules and quality control.

Working Conditions

  • Position: Live-in Domestic Couple
  • Location: Private Estate, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Accommodation: Private accommodation provided
  • Employment Visa: Provided
  • Medical Insurance: Comprehensive coverage provided
  • Flights: One annual return flight to each employee’s home country
  • Bonus: Annual performance bonus
  • Schedule: Six days per week, with flexibility according to the family’s requirements

The couple will join a highly professional private household environment with a substantial multidisciplinary team and the opportunity to work within a prestigious estate operation.

Salary

A highly competitive individual salary package will be offered to each successful candidate, based on their respective experience, qualifications, leadership capabilities and suitability for the role.

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This job offer is brought to you by Antoine Leclerc
We do not currently have a link to the agency handling this vacancy.
Antoine Leclerc
Private Employer

Diplômée de l'Université Loyola Marymount de Los Angeles et forte d'une expérience en recrutement et en ressources humaines, j'apporte au personnel de maison une combinaison de compétences en communication et d'expertise RH. J'ai mené des initiatives de recrutement de talents diversifiés, en veillant à l'adéquation avec les valeurs de l'entreprise et de ses clients, tout en gérant divers projets et en collaborant avec diverses parties prenantes.

This job offer is managed by MMI's agency Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Address : Jumeirah Beach Road, Villa 399b, Jumeirah 2, Dubai

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