PRIVATE PA TO DOWN-TO-EARTH HNW FAMILY

We are delighted to be supporting a private family in their search for an experienced Private Personal Assistant to become a trusted and long-term part of their family life.
 
This is an exciting opportunity to join a very down-to-earth, close-knit and active family at an important new chapter in their lives. Having previously had much of their support provided through their business, the principals are now looking for their first dedicated Private PA to support them across their increasingly busy personal lives, properties, travel and wider family commitments.
 
Primarily supporting a couple based in Berkshire, you will also provide private support to their two grown-up children, including their son who is CEO of the family business. You will work closely with his Executive Assistant to ensure seamless coordination across the family’s personal and business commitments.
 
The family have an international lifestyle, with properties in the UK and the Balearics, alongside other residences within the wider family. Their property portfolio may continue to grow, making this a role with plenty of scope to develop over time.
 
The family are incredibly active, sociable and sporty, with sailing playing a significant part in their lives. They regularly participate in competitive sailing events across Europe, and the Private PA will become involved in everything from coordinating travel and accommodation to supporting team logistics, kit, events and the crew’s arrangements. International travel will therefore form an important part of the position, typically for around a week every couple of months, with occasional additional travel as required.
 
As the family have never had a dedicated Private PA before, they are looking for someone patient and intuitive who can gradually establish what great support looks like for them. You will be confident introducing structure where helpful, demonstrating what can be taken off the principals’ plates and anticipating requirements without making their lives feel overly formal or regimented. A caring, thoughtful approach and the ability to build genuine trust will be incredibly important.
 
This is a highly varied, hands-on position and would suit someone who enjoys being involved in all aspects of a family’s life. The role will be hybrid and fluid by nature, with time spent between the family’s Berkshire home, London and their other properties, alongside the ability to work remotely when appropriate. Flexibility around location, hours and international travel is therefore essential, however the role is based on a 40 hour week.
 
DUTIES TO INCLUDE:

• Providing seamless day-to-day private support to the principals and wider family
• Managing personal diaries, appointments, social engagements and family commitments
• Coordinating complex domestic and international travel, including flights, accommodation, transfers and detailed itineraries for the family
• Travelling with or ahead of the family when required, ensuring properties and arrangements are fully prepared for their arrival
• Supporting the family with their involvement in international sailing events, including travel, accommodation, team logistics, and event arrangements
• Managing and coordinating the family’s properties in the UK and internationally, particularly while they are travelling
• Overseeing household maintenance, contractors, suppliers and property-related projects
• Assisting with future property purchases, renovations and associated projects where required
• Helping to recruit and coordinate household staff across the family’s residences
• Working closely with their son’s Executive Assistant to ensure seamless communication and coordination across family and business commitments
• Organising restaurants, events, sporting activities, social engagements and family occasions
• Researching and arranging gifts, purchases, memberships and other lifestyle requirements
• Managing personal correspondence, paperwork, invoices, expenses and general life administration
• Creating clear systems and processes to ensure important information, preferences and arrangements are easily managed
• Proactively suggesting ways to make the family’s day-to-day lives easier and more organised
• Remaining flexible and available outside of usual working hours when genuinely required for travel, events or last-minute changes
• Maintaining the highest levels of discretion and confidentiality at all times

 
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• At least 5 years of experience working as a Private PA supporting a private family or HNW/UHNW principals
• Strong experience managing busy personal lives, international travel, properties and lifestyle requirements
• A warm, grounded and personable approach with the ability to build a genuine long-term relationship with the family
• Patient and confident introducing structure and helping principals understand how best to utilise private PA support
• Naturally proactive and able to anticipate needs rather than waiting to be asked
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage numerous moving parts simultaneously
• A highly flexible attitude towards working hours, locations and changing priorities
• Happy and able to travel internationally, sometimes at relatively short notice
• Well travelled and comfortable operating across different countries and environments
• An interest in sport and an active lifestyle; previous experience or knowledge of sailing/yachting would be highly advantageous
• Experience coordinating sporting events, teams, yachts or international sailing programmes would be a particular advantage
• Spanish or French language skills would be advantageous but are not essential
• Experience managing multiple properties, household staff, contractors and renovations
• Comfortable working autonomously whilst collaborating closely with other EAs, household staff and family members
• Excellent emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt communication styles across different members of the family
• A full UK driving licence and own vehicle is essential
• Ideally based within easy reach of Berkshire or London
• The right to work in the UK
• Excellent verifiable references