Head of Housekeeping - Ultra Luxury Villa in Cape Town

This is an exceptional opportunity for a Head of Housekeeping to oversee the housekeeping operations of an ultra-luxury private family residence, maintaining the highest standards of service, presentation, and attention to detail for two Principals and their children.

The residence features a Master Suite, four children's bedrooms, a private home spa, and expansive sea-facing glass, alongside premium finishes including marble, natural stone, hardwood, microcement, and brass. Every surface, fabric, and furnishing requires specialised care, with meticulous attention to preservation, presentation, and the property's established standards.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the daily housekeeping schedule, formal evening turndown, laundry and wardrobe care, and overall presentation of the residence. They will also lead, train, and develop a dedicated team of two to three housekeepers, ensuring consistent excellence across every aspect of the household.

Requirements

• 5+ years in luxury housekeeping, with at least 2 as a supervisor or Head of Housekeeping in a UHNW private

household, ultra-luxury hotel, or superyacht.

• Extensive knowledge of high-value material care — marble, natural stone, hardwood, silk, cashmere, velvet, brass.
• Fabric and linen expertise, stain removal, and washing and ironing.
• Formal turndown to a written standard.
• Discretion; comfortable signing an NDA as a condition of employment.
• Fluent in English and local language.

Preferred Experience, Skills & Attitude

Experience

• Head or supervisor of housekeeping in a UHNW private household, ideally with children in residence.
• Ultra-luxury hotel (Rooms Division) or superyacht interior background.
• Travelled with a family, or ran a second residence.

Skills

• Wardrobe management and packing to a principal's standard.
• Floristry, table staging, and room presentation.
• Laundry-room management with commercial equipment (Miele or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of fine-material care beyond the basics — restoration of marble, leather, brass.

Attitude

• Perfectionist eye — sees the watermark, the crease, the gap in the curtains that others miss.
• Leads by standard, not by volume — trains and coaches rather than blames.
• Discreet by habit — says nothing about what she sees in the household, anywhere.
• Calm, methodical, and unhurried — never rushes a room to finish it.

Benefits

• Position: Permanent, full-time
• Schedule: Shift-based, with daily coverage from 06:30 to 20:00
• Reporting to: General Manager
• Direct reports: 2–3 permanent housekeepers, with 1–3 seasonal assistants during periods of high occupancy
• Compensation: Competitive package, commensurate with experience
• Career development: Opportunity for professional growth, with a potential pathway towards a House Manager role overseeing a growing portfolio of private properties
• Leadership and ownership: Responsibility for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving housekeeping standards and operational procedures
• Team environment: Leadership role within a dedicated, close-knit team
• Work environment: Opportunity to work in an exceptional ultra-luxury private residence where discretion, craftsmanship, and service excellence are fundamental