Family Office Salaries - What Makes Competitive Compensation?

By Auria Heanley

Family Office Salaries - What Makes Competitive Compensation?

Drawing on our extensive experience recruiting for hundreds of family office roles, we’re sharing unique salary insights to help you stay competitive in the market.

This family office salary guide offers insight into typical salary ranges for various support roles, including PAs, EAs, and administrators, helping you benchmark compensation effectively.

What is the average salary of a family office PA?

The average salary for a family office PA typically ranges from £40,000 to £70,000, depending on the level of experience, the family office’s location and the scope of responsibilities.

Family office PAs often handle personal and professional tasks for executives, making them key players in day-to-day operations.

In more senior roles, family office PAs may support multiple team members or manage complex schedules and travel arrangements, which can push salaries towards the higher end of this range.

What is the average salary of a family office EA?

The average salary for a family office Executive Assistant (EA) ranges from £45,000 to £100,000, with most positions falling between £50,000 and £80,000.

This wide range reflects the diversity in EA responsibilities. EAs in family offices often provide both business and personal support, handling everything from diary management and meeting coordination to international travel arrangements and personal errands.

Higher salaries are typical for EAs who support senior executives or UHNWIs, especially when responsibilities include managing significant projects or high-stakes financial matters.

What is the average salary of a family office receptionist?

A family office receptionist can expect an average salary ranging from £30,000 to £45,000. These roles require a polished, professional demeanour and the ability to work with high-profile visitors, often in prestigious locations like Mayfair.

Family office receptionists are responsible for managing front-of-house duties, such as greeting guests, coordinating meeting rooms, and handling calls while maintaining a welcoming environment.

Although the salary range for receptionists is narrower than other roles, competitive family offices may offer additional perks, such as annual bonuses or benefits, to attract top talent in this front-facing position.

What is the average salary of a family office business assistant?

For a family office business assistant, the average salary is typically around £70,000 - £110,000. Business assistants in family offices often play a unique role, supporting business operations and financial tasks, sometimes even managing personal affairs for family members.

Responsibilities may include overseeing financial reports, coordinating with external advisors, and handling property and investment portfolios.

Given the specialised nature of these duties, family office business assistants are well-compensated for their expertise in both business and administrative functions.

What is the average salary of a family office administrator?

Family office administrators typically earn between £35,000 and £60,000. This role involves managing the office’s day-to-day operations, supporting the smooth running of various processes, and often acting as a liaison between different departments and external partners.

Administrators handle essential functions, including scheduling, expense tracking and maintaining records, making them crucial to efficient office management.

Family office administrators with experience in supporting UHNWIs or managing multiple properties may command salaries at the higher end of this range.

What is the average salary of a family office private PA?

Private PAs in family offices generally earn between £55,000 and £120,000, with most salaries falling within the £60,000 to £80,000 range.

Also known as family PAs, they provide high-level personal support to family members, including managing complex schedules, arranging international travel and overseeing personal projects or events.

For UHNWIs, a private PA’s role often extends to handling high-value transactions, coordinating with household staff across multiple residences, and ensuring the seamless execution of the Principal’s daily life.

This intensive level of responsibility is reflected in the upper end of the salary range, particularly for experienced private PAs working with prominent individuals.

What is the average salary of a family office manager?

Family office managers are typically compensated between £55,000 and £90,000. This role requires a high level of expertise, as family office managers oversee the office’s operational structure, manage staff, and often handle high-level financial and investment coordination.

They are responsible for implementing processes that protect and grow family wealth, liaising with external advisors, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Given the importance of their role, family office managers are well-compensated, with total compensation reflecting the strategic oversight they provide to secure the family’s financial interests.

What factors affect family office salary ranges?

Salaries within family offices vary widely and are influenced by several key factors. Each factor plays a role in determining a competitive compensation package, from the level of responsibility to location and specialised skills.

Here’s a breakdown of the main factors:

1. Level of Experience

An employee’s level of experience significantly impacts their salary. Positions supporting UHNWIs, such as private PAs and EAs, typically demand extensive experience in similar environments. As experience increases, so does compensation, with higher salaries often reflecting the expertise required to handle complex tasks.

2. Role and Responsibilities

The scope of responsibilities varies greatly among family office roles. For example, an EA managing both business and personal affairs or a family office manager overseeing operations and investments will command higher salaries. Roles that combine multiple functions, such as an EA and office manager, can also elevate the salary range due to the additional demands.

3. Location

Location plays a considerable role in salary ranges for family office employees. Positions based in prestigious or high-cost areas like Mayfair often come with higher salaries to match the increased cost of living and client expectations in those regions.

4. Specialised Skills and Requirements

Roles that require specialised skills such as financial literacy, language proficiency, or prior experience supporting high-net-worth families often come with enhanced compensation. Family offices frequently seek multilingual PAs or EAs who can liaise with international contacts, adding to the value of these roles.

5. Flexibility and Travel Requirements

Family offices may expect flexibility for roles that involve travel, irregular hours or on-call duties. EAs or private PAs supporting principals with global responsibilities or significant travel commitments are often compensated at the higher end of the range to reflect these unique requirements. PAs requiring regular travel are often called travel PAs. Learn more about travelling PA salaries here.

What should be in a competitive family office compensation package?

A well-rounded compensation package for family office roles often includes a range of benefits designed to attract top talent and support long-term retention.

Here are the most common benefits offered:

  • Bonus Structure: Performance-based or discretionary bonuses are standard in family office compensation packages, particularly for senior roles like private PAs and EAs. These bonuses reward employees for meeting specific goals or supporting family members effectively.

  • Private Healthcare: Private medical coverage is frequently offered, reflecting the family office’s commitment to employee wellbeing. This benefit is particularly common for roles supporting UHNWIs.

  • Pension Scheme: Many family offices offer pension contributions, adding to the overall appeal of the role, especially for senior positions requiring significant responsibility.

  • Generous Paid Leave: Typically around 25 days annually plus bank holidays, is standard in family office roles. Some roles also offer additional holiday time for long-serving employees.

  • Flexible and Remote Working Options: Family offices increasingly support hybrid work models, allowing employees to work from home on designated days. Flexibility is particularly valued in roles where remote work is feasible.

  • Life Assurance: Life assurance is a benefit that adds extra security for employees and their families, especially in senior and highly trusted roles.

  • Gym Membership or Health and Wellness Stipends: Some family offices provide gym memberships or wellness stipends as part of their commitment to employee health.

Looking to Hire for Your Family Office? - We’re Here To Help You

Setting a competitive salary and benefits package is essential to attract and retain the best talent in a family office. At Oriel Partners, we specialise in recruiting skilled professionals for family offices, offering guidance on current market rates and compensation expectations.

Whether you’re hiring a PA, EA, or office manager, our team can help you craft a competitive offer that meets the unique demands of each role. Visit our family office recruitment page to find out how we can support your recruitment needs and ensure you’re offering the right package.

Alternatively, you may be interested in reading our related articles:

Posted in Hiring, PA & Admin on Oct 31, 2024

Auria Heanley

About the Author

Auria Heanley
Director at Oriel Partners

After leaving St. Margaret’s School, Auria went on to complete a Pitman secretarial course before becoming a PA in Oxford. In 2000, Auria started her recruitment career in London, working on both temporary and permanent desks. Auria is experienced in building successful teams having managed the Canary Wharf office of a leading, national secretarial agency...

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