Director of Family Operations/COO

The Role

A private family is seeking a Director of Family Operations & External Engagement a senior, hands-on leader who will act as the central point of coordination across multiple private residences in Europe, a household team, family travel and events, day-to-day finances, and the interface with the family's philanthropic and business interests.

This is a long-term trust appointment for someone who combines high-end service standards, financial literacy, emotional intelligence and genuine hands-on capability. It is not a purely supervisory role: the right candidate enjoys directing others as much as personally making things happen.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the central operational point of coordination for the family, anticipating needs and ensuring follow-through


• Provide hands-on, French- and English-fluent local coordination: appointments, service providers, institutions and relevant contacts


• Oversee multiple residences across Europe — standards, maintenance, suppliers, projects and readiness


• Lead and develop the household team, including recruitment, role clarity and performance management


• Manage sensitive interpersonal dynamics with tact, within the team and at the family–team interface


• Plan and execute complex family travel, private events and selected institutional or commercial events


• Oversee day-to-day finances: cash flow, invoices, expenses, budgets and coordination with accountants and advisers


• Deliver clear, concise reporting on expenditure, commitments, residences and key decisions


• Act as the practical coordination point between the family and its philanthropic and commercial interests


• Establish practical systems and routines without adding unnecessary bureaucracy

Candidate Profile

• Approximately 10–20 years of relevant experience, with meaningful responsibility for people, budgets and complex international operations


• Backgrounds of particular interest: high-end hospitality leadership, private household or estate operations, senior Chief of Staff or executive operations roles, high-end events, or another high-service international environment


• Demonstrable experience with budgets, cash flow and management reporting


• Strong people-management capability, including confidence addressing sensitive performance or interpersonal matters


• Multi-country events, travel and logistics experience with demanding stakeholders


• A track record of building systems and improving operations while remaining willing to execute personally


• Genuine ease across cultures, nationalities and communication styles


• Languages: native-level fluency in both French and English is essential; Finnish, Swedish or German would be a valued additional asset

Is This You?

• You have moved beyond calendar and administrative support into genuine financial and people leadership.


• You have grown out of traditional household management into broader planning, budget ownership and stakeholder coordination.


• You bring numbers and service orientation together.


• You would rather solve a problem directly than delegate it upward, even at this level of seniority.

Compensation

Compensation reflects the scope and seniority of the role, at a level consistent with senior executive operations positions internationally.