So you want to be a lifestyle manager?

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A lifestyle manager has dinner with a colleague in a fine dining restaurant with two delicious dishes and glasses of wine.


Private service can often be considered a quite traditional industry, evoking images of gloved butlers in Downton Abbey-esque homes and headset-toting private PAs carrying clipboards. However, the 21st century has seen the diversification of the personal assistant position, with roles specialising to cater for changing lifestyles. Just one of these is the lifestyle manager – a unique role that covers the leisure requirements of either a business or high-net-worth individual and their family.

What is a lifestyle manager?

A lifestyle manager does exactly as the title suggests – manages lifestyles! They can be employed by businesses to support guests or clients, managing requests and booking travel, transportation, restaurants, venues and suppliers. Alternatively, they may work for a private individual or family, arranging experiences, restaurants, social activities and travel as needed.

What attributes or skills does a great lifestyle manager have?

A fantastic lifestyle manager dedicates their professional life to enhancing their principal’s leisure and lifestyle experiences. They should be able to anticipate a client’s needs ahead of time, using their extensive knowledge and contact book to generate inspiring and innovative ideas for experiences and gifts.

As the position requires exceptional diary and travel management, someone in this position should be exceptionally organised and proactive, take an enthusiastic and confident approach and be able to multi-task under pressure. Strong communication skills, flexibility and an ability to work both independently and as a team are also essential.

If in a corporate role, a lifestyle manager should also be able to identify and maintain strong supplier relationships, building brand partnerships and delivering outstanding customer service.

Why become a lifestyle manager?

Successful lifestyle managers are rewarded with an extremely diverse role. From organising luxurious holidays to sourcing last-minute babysitters, the vast range of activities mean no two days will be the same. What’s more, with an opportunity to travel and plan exceptional experiences and events, they have the potential to lead a very enviable lifestyle.

That said, it’s not all glamourous work. Lifestyle managers are often expected to be on-call and have to deal with high-stress situations. Therefore, the position would suit something who enjoys variety in their work, is comfortable with a high level of responsibility and takes delight in seeing projects from conception to completion. Salaries range from £30,000 – £55,000 plus bonus and benefits.

How do I become a lifestyle manager?

Often, lifestyle managers may come from an events management or luxury travel background. However, this isn’t the only pathway to the role. Many start in hotel hospitality as a receptionist, before moving up to concierge services. Personal assistants can also branch into specifically lifestyle management, building upon their organisational skills to focus on experiences and events.

When we look to hire lifestyle managers, we look at a candidate’s familiarity with the latest trends, their experience and their ability to think outside the box, anticipating and delivering above and beyond.

If you’d like to speak to us about opportunities in lifestyle management, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Author Tiger Contributor Tiger Recruitment Team
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