Operations Manager and Head of Housekeeping - residential position for a couple


Company:	Ardington House Ltd
Salary:	£36,000 to £36,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Near Wantage, OXON, OX12 8QA
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	27 Aug 2026
Closing date:	26 Sept 2026

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Summary

Ardington House is a Georgian country house and events venue near Wantage, Oxfordshire, and an award winning venue, named Best Country House Wedding Venue. We are recruiting a couple to fill two named roles: an Operations Manager and a Head of Housekeeping. The couple will live on site and work together across the running of the House and its events.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Salary of £36,000 per annum for each role (£72,000 for the couple)

Discretionary bonus, paid after the end of each calendar year

Free use of a furnished flat within the House (employer pays council tax, electricity, gas, wifi and heating)

Pension contribution

AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS

37.5 hours. Five days per week, in the main 9:00 to 17:30 with one hour off for lunch.

HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT

28 days paid holiday

DURATION

Permanent (initial six month trial)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Manager

Event Operations – Working with the Sales and Events team to organise all event preparations, including setting up the House and marquee to a specific plan, liaising with wedding suppliers, moving furniture and equipment, post event damage and stock checks, and arranging event deliveries and collections.

House Maintenance – Monitoring and resolving day to day maintenance issues at the House, carrying out small fixes and painting, and managing tradespeople for larger works.

Grounds and Facilities – There is a full gardening team, but occasional garden, pool and tennis court maintenance work may be required.

Head of Housekeeping

Housekeeping – Leading all housekeeping duties (cleaning, laundry, bed changing and looking after house guests). The House has 12 bedrooms and there is also an event marquee in the grounds.

Guest Care – Preparing rooms for weddings, private hire and holiday rental clients, hosting, and assisting with arrivals and departures of guests.

Shared Duties

Events – Ardington House has a busy events schedule (40 to 50 events per year) and the wedding season runs from April until October. During this period, weekend and evening work will be required, with days off taken on weekdays. Events are run by an event manager, but the couple will work on a rota on event days to provide hosting, to coordinate with the catering and event management teams, and to secure the House during events. Weddings take place in the marquee, and once guests have moved to the marquee it is the couple's responsibility to monitor access to the House, which is provided to overnight guests alone.

Other – When the family is in residence, occasional cooking, driving (one driving licence is essential), shopping and waitering will be required. Ability to assist in the events office to cover holidays of the events team would be a bonus.

ACCOMMODATION

There is a fully furnished and spacious flat within the House, with all bills and wifi included. There is an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court, which staff may use when clients are not in residence.

REPORTING

Both roles report to the owner, Lorne Baring, who will be the line manager. The House Manager, Charlie Cross, works from the House most days. The owners do not live in the House but visit through the year with their families. The House may also be occupied at times by holiday rental clients.

Position start: October 2026, with a handover period alongside the current housekeeping couple.

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

These positions will suit a couple willing to work a flexible schedule. Hours are long during the peak wedding season (with weekend work) and shorter during the off season. Overtime hours accumulated during the peak season can be used as time off in lieu (TOIL) during the off season. The roles will suit couples who wish to travel or take extended periods off during the winter.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants should send a covering email with a curriculum vitae for each applicant to Charlotte Cross, Manager, Ardington House Ltd at charlotte.cross@ardingtonhouse.com.

Ardington House Ltd

Charlie Cross, Manager

Telephone: 01235 821566

Mobile: 07733 067829

Email: charlotte.cross@ardingtonhouse.com

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