Job Description 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.
