What are the responsibilities and job description for the Estate Manager position at Maison Albion?
Estate Manager — Historic 1878 Wedding Venue
Maison Albion · Albion, NY 14411
Maison Albion is an 1878 estate where, most weekends from May through October, someone is getting married. We're looking for the person who keeps every part of it running — not by firefighting on event days, but by staying so far ahead of the property that event days take care of themselves.
The honest version of the job. This is a problem-solver's role. We'll hand you things like "the hot water can't keep up" or "we need an egress window" and you'll own the whole arc: size it, figure out the power and capacity and permits, decide whether we install it ourselves or bring in a licensed pro, get it done right, and make sure it never surprises us again. The same pattern applies to everything here. Between projects, you keep the property prepared and stocked down to the plungers, so nothing becomes an emergency.
And here's the part people miss: the best version of this job is invisible. A great week ends in a quiet Saturday, because everything was ready by Friday. You're not here to scramble during events — you're here so there's nothing to scramble about.
On the list right now
Install an egress window · repair a gutter · replace and right-size the hot water system · evaluate and replace the air conditioning · audit the electrical panel · install security cameras — and a steady stream of similar work after that.
What you'll own
- Every maintenance project, start to finish — scoping it, sizing it, deciding what we do ourselves versus hire out, getting it installed, and verifying it holds.
- A property that's maintained ahead and fully prepared — stocked, checked, and event-ready before the weekend, every time.
- The judgment call on each job: confidently self-perform it, or bring in a licensed, permitted pro — and never guess on safety or code.
- Our gardener and any contractors — you run the day: inspect the property, give the team clear tasks, make sure they have the materials to do them, and check the work before it's called done.
- A weekly update email to the leadership team — what got done, what's in progress, what's next, and anything that needs a decision.
- Vendors, bids, budgets, and clear recommendations to ownership (with a number, not just a problem).
You're probably right for this if…
- You love taking something vague and owning it all the way to finished — and you're genuinely handy.
- You can size a system, weigh the options, and know exactly when a job needs a licensed pro and a permit.
- You can run a small team day to day — keep people tasked, supplied, and held to a standard — and write a clear weekly update.
- You keep things stocked and ready so nothing ever becomes a scramble, and you take real pride in a flawless place.
This probably isn't for you if…
- You need every task fully spec'd out before you can start.
- You wait for things to break instead of getting ahead of them.
- You'd wing safety-critical or code-regulated work to save a step.
- "Good enough" is your standard, or you'd rather not get your hands dirty.
Schedule & compensation
Hourly, averaging 35–45 hours a week, primarily weekdays. This is not a Saturday firefighting role — your job is to have everything prepared in advance so events run themselves. Occasional event or emergency coverage as needed, but a quiet Saturday is the goal. We review every new hire at 30 days, and exceptional performers earn conversion to a salaried position. Initial trial period pay $20-25/hour, with the ability to transition to full-time salaried for an exceptional candidate. You would manage your schedule throughout the year - more hours in the off-season, less hours during our busy season.
How to apply — please read
Skip the cover letter. Send a resume and a short video (2–4 minutes — a phone selfie video is perfect) that walks us through one project you owned from problem to finished: how you scoped and sized it, what you decided to do yourself versus hire out, and how it turned out. We read every one. It tells us more than a résumé ever could.
We're a small, family-run venue that values teamwork, pride in a job well done, and a place that's beautifully kept. Learn more at www.MaisonAlbion.com.
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $20 - $25