Domestic Couple – Stockholm

This position would be made permanent if the right couple was found, where summer and winter duties/projects would be executed year-round. Selected applicants will be responsible for housekeeping, gardening and general maintenance. Applicants with confident cooking ability would be welcome to apply however this would purely be a bonus.

Situated in Värmdö, on the Stockholm archipelago and close to Fågelbro Golf & Country Club, the property includes a main house, guest house, brand new caretaker’s cottage (50 m2, 2 bedrooms, bath, kitchen, terrace etc), boat house, sauna, greenhouse and various smaller houses.

The garden has multiple lawns, meadows, a tennis court, a vegetable garden, a private beach and boat jetties. On-site there are several boats (32 ft Aluminum DC, 18 ft RIB), UTV and various vehicles. There is an additional property on the outer rims of the Stockholm Archipelago consisting of a small fisherman’s cottage and a sauna.

The family are very casual and is looking for a domestic couple who will quietly get the job done without a formal approach. They help themselves to refreshments throughout the day and would not be comfortable with silver service. On these special occasions, they choose to go out to dinner, but at home, they like things to be very easy, relaxed and informal.

The start date and salary are flexible for the ideal candidates.

The family use the country house from mid-June to mid-August and is based in the city of Stockholm during the winter.

This role would be great for either a yachting couple or experienced private household domestic couples.

Accommodation: A beautiful newly built 2-bedroom caretaker’s cottage with a terrace

Responsibilities

Housekeeping:

• Housekeeping duties of the country house during the summer.
• Laundry
• General tidying and organising
• Linen and towel changes
• Deep cleaning bathrooms
• Keeping the kitchen clean and emptying rubbish bins
• Errand running and shopping as needed
• Cleaning additional properties nearby during low season
• Family cooking a bonus and not essential

Gardening & Maintenance:

• The client employs qualified tradesmen who handle considerable maintenance and repairs. Therefore, you will be responsible for gardening and basic maintenance and repairs.
• You will mow lawns and tend to the greenhouse and a small vegetable garden where the family grow tomatoes, herbs etc.
• You will also clean the boats and saunas and ensure all external areas, including the tennis court, are clean and ready for the family to use.
• Keeping pathways and entrances clear of leaves and snow.
• The Principal would like to introduce some animals to the estate if a suitable applicant is able to maintain them, but this is not essential just a nice bonus. If stock was to be introduced it would be a few lambs and chickens. Again, this would be a dream for the client, and it would only happen if the chosen candidate had the right experience with livestock.
• Overseeing additional properties and projects over the winter/low season.
• Liaising with contractors and suppliers (mostly over the winter).

Cooking not essential: (optional as the client can hire a chef separately)

• For applicants who enjoy cooking, and when time allows:
• The client and his young family have a seasonal and sustainable approach to menu planning, using the best quality ingredients prepared well to create simple yet delicious meals. They do not require formal fine dining dishes or complicated menus, just great food using excellent produce with little fuss.
• Lunch would usually be a selection of salads and sandwiches or a picnic.
• The clients will typically entertain twice throughout the summer where you will be required to cater a dinner or lunch for just 10-15 people, from day to day you will be cooking for the family. Occasional guests may come once a week throughout the summer, usually a couple of friends of the clients or their children.
• The Principal is diabetic and avoids heavy carbohydrates and sweet dishes and desserts, favouring protein and vegetable options. The family do not have any other dietary considerations. Meals are served family style with lots of sides (variety of salads, vegetables, potatoes) where they help themselves to what they like, Italian food, particularly pasta is a family favourite.
• During the summer, you will prepare lots of salads, BBQs, grilled fish, seafood and quality meats with plenty of sides (ensuring there are carb options and alternatives for the Principal). The family also enjoy taking a picnic by boat to the fisherman’s cottage.
• You will be responsible for all shopping, provisioning and kitchen cleaning.

Key requirements

• Experience working as a couple either within a superyacht or private household setting
• Ability to work within the EU
• Proactive approach
• At least five years of professional housekeeping experience
• Self-motivated and able to manage your workload without too much direction
• Dedicated and looking for a long-term opportunity as a domestic couple
• Family cooking skills are a bonus but not essential
• Knowledge and experience with gardening and general maintenance
• It is essential that applicants are of a relaxed nature without an overly formal approach