Assistant Estate Manager – Luxury Oceanfront Homes & Guest Services
Location: North Litchfield Beach / Pawleys Island, South Carolina
About the Position
A private family is seeking an exceptional Assistant Estate Manager to help oversee two luxury coastal residences in North Litchfield Beach: an oceanfront home and an adjacent second-row home.
This is a unique, long-term career opportunity for a highly organized, service-oriented professional who enjoys caring for exceptional homes while creating memorable experiences for family members and guests.
The successful candidate will report directly to the family’s current Property Manager, who has faithfully served the family for more than 20 years. As part of a carefully planned leadership transition, the Assistant Estate Manager will receive extensive hands-on training, learn every aspect of the properties’ operation, and assume increasing responsibility over the next several years.
Upon the current Property Manager’s planned retirement, the successful candidate will be positioned to step into the Lead Property Manager role.
This is more than a traditional property-management position. It combines luxury estate operations, preventive maintenance, guest services, hospitality, concierge support, and long-term stewardship of two exceptional private homes.
Estate Management Responsibilities
- Conduct regular inspections of both residences and identify maintenance needs before they become larger problems.
- Coordinate and supervise housekeeping, landscaping, pool and spa service, pest control, window cleaning, pressure washing, maintenance contractors, and specialty vendors.
- Schedule and verify preventive maintenance for HVAC systems, the residential elevator, pool and spa equipment, tankless water heaters, appliances, security systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and other household equipment.
- Monitor the condition, cleanliness, and operation of all interior and exterior areas.
- Receive deliveries and provide appropriate access and supervision for vendors and contractors.
- Maintain organized records of maintenance, inspections, warranties, repairs, vendor contacts, service schedules, and completed projects.
- Maintain inventories of household supplies, linens, amenities, replacement items, and commonly needed maintenance materials.
- Assist with light handyman tasks and minor repairs when appropriate.
- Help oversee seasonal projects, renovations, installations, and property improvements.
- Coordinate property security systems and vendor access, ensuring that both homes remain secure before, during, and after periods of occupancy.
- Promptly communicate maintenance concerns, unusual conditions, or recommended improvements to the Property Manager.
Pre-Arrival Preparation
Before each owner or guest arrival, the Assistant Estate Manager will help ensure that both homes are immaculate, comfortable, secure, and fully operational.
Responsibilities may include:
- Completing detailed pre-arrival inspection checklists.
- Confirming that housekeeping has been completed to the highest standard.
- Verifying HVAC settings, lighting, appliances, Wi-Fi, televisions, sound systems, and other household technology.
- Confirming that the pool and spa are clean, operating properly, and ready for use.
- Inspecting bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, porches, patios, and outdoor spaces.
- Ensuring that linens, towels, toiletries, amenities, and household supplies are fully stocked.
- Coordinating grocery shopping, pantry stocking, beverages, flowers, and special requests.
- Preparing the homes’ lighting, temperature, music, and overall presentation to create a welcoming arrival.
- Confirming that any requested transportation, reservations, activities, or special arrangements are in place.
Guest Services and Hospitality
The Assistant Estate Manager will play an important role in creating an effortless, memorable, and highly personalized vacation experience.
Responsibilities may include:
- Personally greeting owners, family members, and guests upon arrival.
- Providing a warm, polished, and professional welcome.
- Assisting guests with luggage, packages, and personal belongings.
- Helping guests become familiar with the homes and their amenities.
- Responding promptly and courteously to questions and requests throughout each stay.
- Providing knowledgeable recommendations regarding restaurants, shopping, beaches, golf courses, boating, fishing, and local attractions.
- Arranging restaurant reservations, golf tee times, fishing charters, spa appointments, transportation, babysitting, grocery delivery, and other concierge services.
- Coordinating special occasions, family gatherings, meals, activities, and celebrations when requested.
- Anticipating guest needs and addressing issues quickly, discreetly, and with a positive, can-do attitude.
- Ensuring that each guest experiences the comfort, attention, and service associated with a five-star private resort.
Family Support
When the owners or family members are in residence, the Assistant Estate Manager may also:
- Assist with airport pickups, transportation arrangements, arrivals, and departures.
- Help with luggage, unpacking, packing, and shipment of personal items.
- Coordinate grocery shopping, meal-related requests, and household stocking.
- Arrange activities for children and grandchildren.
- Coordinate qualified babysitters or childcare providers when requested.
- Assist with golf, boating, fishing, dining, entertainment, and other family activities.
- Help accommodate elderly guests or others who may require additional assistance with luggage, transportation, or access to the homes.
- Provide thoughtful, discreet support while respecting the family’s privacy and personal time.
Departure and Post-Visit Responsibilities
Following each stay, the Assistant Estate Manager will help return the properties to their established standards and prepare them for the next period of occupancy.
Responsibilities may include:
- Assisting guests with luggage and departure logistics.
- Conducting prompt post-departure inspections of both homes.
- Coordinating housekeeping, laundry, linen replacement, and restocking.
- Identifying damage, maintenance needs, missing items, or unusual conditions.
- Arranging repairs or replacements before the next arrival.
- Verifying that appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, security systems, and mechanical equipment have been properly secured or reset.
- Updating maintenance records and arrival-readiness checklists.
Training and Career Progression
This position provides a rare opportunity to learn directly from a Property Manager who has cared for the family’s homes for more than two decades.
The successful candidate will:
- Receive hands-on training in every aspect of operating and maintaining the two residences.
- Learn the properties’ systems, equipment, service schedules, vendor relationships, household standards, and guest preferences.
- Develop expertise in luxury estate management, preventive maintenance, project coordination, security, hospitality, and concierge service.
- Assume increasing responsibility as knowledge, judgment, and experience grow.
- Build long-term relationships with the family, vendors, and service providers.
- Transition into the Lead Property Manager role following the current Property Manager’s planned retirement.
The family is seeking someone who wants to build a lasting career and become a trusted steward of the properties—not someone seeking a temporary or short-term position.
Preferred Experience
Ideal candidates may have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Private estate or luxury residential management.
- Luxury hotels, resorts, or boutique hospitality.
- Private clubs, country clubs, or yacht clubs.
- Luxury vacation-home or high-end rental-property management.
- Concierge services or guest-experience management.
- Residential construction, building maintenance, facilities management, or project coordination.
- Household management for a private family.
Direct estate-management experience is preferred but is not required if the candidate has a strong combination of hospitality skills, organizational ability, sound judgment, and practical knowledge of residential systems.
Qualifications
- Exceptional hospitality and guest-service instincts.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project-management skills.
- Ability to anticipate needs and identify problems before they arise.
- Experience supervising vendors, contractors, housekeeping personnel, or service providers.
- Basic knowledge of residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, security, pool, spa, appliance, and building systems.
- Ability to maintain detailed records, schedules, inventories, photographs, and checklists.
- Proficiency with smartphones, email, Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and scheduling or property-management tools.
- Professional written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while reporting closely to the Property Manager.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to lift and carry luggage, packages, household supplies, and other items of up to approximately 50 pounds.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in a coastal environment.
CPR and first-aid certification would be beneficial. The successful candidate may be asked to obtain or maintain these certifications.
Personal Characteristics
The ideal candidate will be:
- Warm, gracious, and naturally hospitable.
- Highly organized and attentive to detail.
- Honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
- Professional in appearance, conduct, and communication.
- Discreet and respectful of personal and family privacy.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of working without constant supervision.
- Calm under pressure and resourceful when unexpected issues arise.
- Comfortable interacting with family members, guests, vendors, and service professionals.
- Willing to perform both management duties and hands-on tasks.
- Able to anticipate needs before being asked.
- Interested in developing a long-term relationship with the family.
- Committed to maintaining exceptional standards of care and service.
Our Standard
The goal is not simply to maintain two homes. It is to ensure that the residences are cared for with exceptional attention to detail and that every owner and guest enjoys an effortless, relaxing, and memorable coastal experience.
Every arrival should feel welcoming. Every system should function properly. Every request should be handled promptly and discreetly. Every guest should leave believing that they experienced one of the finest private beach vacations imaginable.
Schedule
This position may be structured as full-time or part-time depending on the qualifications, experience, and availability of the successful candidate.
Flexibility is required during:
- Owner and guest visits.
- Arrival and departure days.
- Holidays and peak vacation periods.
- Occasional evenings and weekends.
- Property emergencies or urgent maintenance situations.
The normal schedule and expectations will be discussed clearly during the interview process.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation will be competitive and based on experience, qualifications, availability, and the final scope of responsibilities.
The compensation package may include:
- Competitive base salary.
- Performance-based incentives.
- Paid time off.
- Retirement-plan benefits, potentially including an employer matching contribution.
- Other benefits depending on the final employment arrangement.
Housing is not included with the position.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit:
- A current résumé.
- A brief cover letter describing relevant experience in estate management, luxury hospitality, property operations, guest services, facilities management, or a related field.
- A short explanation of why this long-term training and leadership-succession opportunity is of interest.
- Professional references, which may be requested later in the hiring process.
All inquiries and applications will be handled confidentially.
Pay: $24.27 - $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
