What is a Lifestyle Manager & Do You Need One?

By Olivia Coughtrie

What is a Lifestyle Manager & Do You Need One?

A lifestyle manager is a professional who helps manage various aspects of a busy individual’s personal and professional life, ensuring that their day-to-day activities run smoothly and efficiently. The role is highly personalised, tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of each client.

A lifestyle manager would help you manage your whole life in every aspect, so their duties and responsibilities can vary depending on the client’s needs, but these are often the most common types of support:

1. Personal Errands and Tasks

  • Scheduling and Appointments: Managing the client's calendar, scheduling appointments, and coordinating meetings around an already packed schedule.
  • Shopping: This can include everything from grocery shopping to finding unique or luxury items in a concierge-style role.
  • Household Management: They assist by organising maintenance, housekeeping and cleaning services, garden upkeep and landscaping, along with other home-related services.

2. Travel Planning

  • Itinerary Management: They handle all aspects of travel planning, including booking flights, accommodation, transportation, and activities.
  • Concierge Services: This can include securing upgrades and ensuring a seamless travel experience, such as making reservations at top restaurants, securing tickets to exclusive events, or arranging unique experiences using their network to provide clients with access to exclusive experiences.

3. Event Planning

  • Social Events: Organising parties, dinners, and other social gatherings, including finding venues, arranging catering, and sending out invitations.
  • Corporate Events: Managing logistics for business-related events, such as conferences, meetings, or corporate retreats.

4. Health and Wellness

  • Appointments: Scheduling appointments with doctors, personal trainers, nutritionists, or wellness coaches.
  • Fitness Routines: Creating and managing personalised fitness and wellness plans, including booking classes or sessions.
  • Holistic Support: Providing advice or resources to improve the client’s overall wellbeing, including mental health, work-life balance, and personal fulfilment.

5. Financial Management Assistance

  • Bill Payments: Ensuring that all bills are paid on time.
  • Budgeting: Assisting with budgeting and tracking expenses.
  • Advisory Services: Working with financial advisors or accountants to manage investments, taxes, or other financial matters.

6. Personal Development and Education

  • Courses and Classes: Finding and booking educational courses, workshops, or personal development opportunities.
  • Coaching: Arranging for life coaching or other professional mentoring services

What Does a Day in the Role of a Lifestyle Manager Look Like?

A day in the life of a lifestyle manager is highly varied, adaptable, and tailored to the unique needs of each client. Here is a snapshot of what a typical day might look like:

Morning

The day usually begins early, with the lifestyle manager reviewing the client’s schedule, checking emails, and confirming appointments. They may also respond to any urgent requests that came in overnight.

The morning might involve handling personal errands, such as:

  • Arranging for a home delivery
  • Picking up dry cleaning
  • Coordinating household services like cleaning or maintenance.

If the client is travelling, the lifestyle manager might confirm flight details, arrange airport transfers, and ensure all travel documents are in order.

Midday

The lifestyle manager may coordinate and attend meetings on behalf of the client, whether these are business-related or personal, such as meeting with:

  • Event planners
  • Real estate agents
  • Personal trainers

During lunch hours, they could be making reservations at exclusive restaurants or booking tickets for events, ensuring that every detail aligns with the client’s preferences.

Afternoon

The afternoon might involve coordinating the finer details of an upcoming event, such as:

  • Finalising guest lists
  • Overseeing catering
  • Selecting décor
  • Negotiating with vendors
  • Arranging last-minute changes

They may book or confirm appointments for the client’s wellness routines, like a personal training session, spa appointment, or a meeting with a nutritionist.

Evening

As the day winds down, the lifestyle manager might be in contact with the client to review the day’s events, make any last-minute arrangements for the evening, or prepare for the next day.

Even after official working hours, a lifestyle manager remains on-call to handle any late-night requests or emergencies. This could involve addressing travel issues, last-minute changes to plans, or any urgent personal matters that need attention. Every day is different, as the role demands a high level of adaptability and responsiveness to the client's ever-changing needs.

A lifestyle manager might be organising a luxury vacation one day and managing a complex corporate event the next. Their work is deeply bespoke, ensuring that all services and arrangements are tailored specifically to the client's lifestyle, preferences, and schedule, aimed at making the client’s life smoother and more enjoyable.

How Does a Lifestyle Manager Differ from a Private PA?

A lifestyle manager can be considered as a private PA that works exclusively for a single individual or household and, while both roles involve assistance with personal and professional tasks, a lifestyle manager usually operates more strategically, offering management of a person's entire lifestyle, including leisure activities, personal affairs, and household management.

In today's fast-paced world, juggling personal and professional responsibilities can become overwhelming. Whether it's managing a hectic schedule, organising social events, or keeping track of daily tasks, the demands of life can sometimes feel like too much to handle.

A lifestyle manager can step in to help streamline these responsibilities, ensuring you have more time and energy for what truly matters. If any of the following signs resonate with you, it might be time to consider enlisting the support of a lifestyle manager.

Signs You Might Require a Lifestyle Manager

Overwhelming Schedule: If your calendar is packed with meetings, appointments, and deadlines, and you find it challenging to keep track of everything, a lifestyle manager can help prioritise your commitments.

  • Difficulty Maintaining Work-Life Balance: If you are struggling to find time for yourself, your family, or your hobbies, a lifestyle manager can help create a more balanced schedule, allowing you to focus on your personal life without compromising professional responsibilities.

  • Constantly Feeling Stressed or Burned Out: Persistent stress and burnout can be indicators that you need extra support. A lifestyle manager can take on some of your burdens, from planning trips to managing household tasks so that you can relax and recharge.

  • Falling Behind on Important Tasks: If you frequently miss deadlines, forget important dates, or feel like you're always playing catch-up, a lifestyle manager can help you stay on top of your responsibilities.

  • Need for Event Planning and Social Organisation: Whether it’s hosting a dinner party, planning a vacation, or organising a corporate event, if you lack the time or expertise to manage these activities, a lifestyle manager can handle the details and execution.

  • Difficulty Managing Household Responsibilities: From coordinating with service providers to ensuring bills are paid on time, managing a household can be a full-time job in itself. A lifestyle manager can take over these tasks, keeping your home life running smoothly.

By taking on these time-consuming tasks, a lifestyle manager can help you regain control over your life, reduce stress, and create a more harmonious work-life balance.

Skills and Attributes to Look Out for in a Lifestyle Manager

When looking to hire a lifestyle manager, it's important to look for the following skills and characteristics.

1. Organisation

Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Efficient in time management, scheduling, and prioritisation. Detail-oriented to ensure nothing is overlooked.

2. Discretion and Confidentiality

Trustworthy in handling sensitive information. Maintains privacy and discretion at all times. Ability to tailor services and recommendations to a diverse clientele.

3. Problem-Solving Ability

Quick thinking and resourceful in handling unexpected situations. Capable of finding creative solutions to unique challenges. Decision-making skills to act in the best interest of the client. Able to handle stress and pressure calmly.

4. Networking Skills

Strong connections and relationships with service providers, vendors, and professionals. Ability to use networks to get the best deals and exclusive services. Up to date with the latest lifestyle trends, services, and products. Well-informed about luxury brands, travel, dining, and entertainment options.

5. Flexibility and Adaptability

Ability to adjust plans and schedules to accommodate last-minute changes. Open to working irregular hours to meet clients' needs.

6. Financial Management Skills

Ability to manage budgets, negotiate prices, and make cost-effective decisions. Understands invoicing, expense tracking, and basic financial principles.

7. Attention to Detail

Ensures all aspects of a task or event are meticulously planned and executed. Notices intricate details that can enhance or detract from the client's experience.

Interested in Hiring a Lifestyle Manager to Support You?

Ready to transform your life with a dedicated lifestyle manager? Contact the team at Oriel Partners today to discuss your needs and how we can help find the ideal candidate for you.

Posted in Hiring on Sep 05, 2024

Olivia Coughtrie

About the Author

Olivia Coughtrie
Director at Oriel Partners

Prior to co-founding Oriel Partners in 2018, Olivia was previously an Associate Director at a boutique, West End secretarial agency where she worked for almost 7 years, focusing on senior level briefs across all industry sectors...

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