“We are the invisible backbone of a great life.”
INterview with OPMG CEO Elmar huber | 05.06.2025
With OPMG, Elmar Huber and his international team specialize in the bespoke placement of exceptional domestic staff for private residences, superyachts, and private jets. Their approach: curated matches between clients and talent, built on trust, discretion, and excellence. A conversation about trusting people, elite service, and the art of shaping raw diamonds.
Elmar Huber once traveled the world as a private chef – from St. Tropez to London. Today, he leads the company he founded, OPMG, placing carefully vetted household professionals with world-class decision-makers. Though operating globally, his home base is in Europe. For many, the jobs he facilitates sound like something out of a movie – but for Huber and his team, they are everyday reality. Talent placement in private households is more than a business; it’s a calling, lived with passion. Many of the professionals he places stay with their clients for years – like his very first successful placement, who remains in the same role to this day.
Mr. Huber, how did you come to place staff for decision-makers and private households?
Elmar Huber: The path was more straightforward than you might think. I spent many years as a private chef in fine dining and come from a family rooted in gastronomy. A sense for service and high standards was instilled in me early on. Former clients would often ask for recommendations for housekeepers or butlers, which gradually shifted my focus – from the kitchen to client placement. The name OPMG – Optimum People Management Group – was inspired by our English-speaking clients. For them, only the optimum would do.
Do you ever miss cooking and traveling?
Elmar Huber: I still travel – but now with a laptop bag instead of a knife case, and I enjoy it. Back in my active days as a private chef, I was on the road over 230 days a year, between New York, St. Tropez, and London. A rewarding but demanding lifestyle. I have a clear understanding of our clients’ expectations and the daily performance required from staff. Whether chef or agent, it‘s ultimately about outstanding service, which depends entirely on the passion one brings to the work.
“It is an art to be fully transparent with business partners while remaining highly discreet to the outside world.”
There are now many agencies offering placement services. What sets OPMG apart?
Elmar Huber: We don’t do copy-paste – neither with our clients nor our candidates. In the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW ) space, it’s all about precision, discretion, and trust. That level of quality takes time. Our work is based on integrity and a deep understanding of privacy. Talents have the opportunity to secure exciting, well-compensated positions with fascinating individuals in exclusive settings. Thanks to our multilingual team across time zones, we’re available daily to both our clients and candidates. And our service doesn’t end with the signature on the contract – we remain a point of contact for as long as we’re needed.
How do you know which talents you can trust?
Elmar Huber: It’s a mix of facts and instinct. We verify CVs, documents, and references – we check for plausibility, because sometimes a résumé seems too good to be true. We always contact references. If something doesn’t add up, we don’t hesitate to address it directly. Every application is acknowledged, I personally review every candidate and discuss each case with my team. This thorough vetting takes time. Many applicants are impatient, but we aim to respond to everyone personally. In-depth interviews follow, and at that stage, our intuition becomes crucial. With our experience, we can recognize candidates who are raw diamonds who may just need a bit of refinement. Every applicant is as unique as each client’s needs. People are much more than just their résumé – and that‘s what makes our work so exciting.
How do you find people willing to dedicate their lives to the needs of others?
Elmar Huber: A large part of our talent pool comes through personal referrals, which is especially rewarding, as it shows our work is appreciated. Of course, we also recrute via traditional job boards, LinkedIn, social media, and our website. But always with the discretion our industry demands. Those we place often become the invisible backbone of a great life. That requires a keen sense of boundaries – and the ability to navigate complex, often very private environments with professionalism. These roles are demanding but also well-compensated. And in our experience, personality always matters more than paper qualifications. Passion and attitude make the difference. And for those who think it’s a one-sided relationship with the employer holding all the power: they’re mistaken. Good talent is rare. Chemistry must be mutual. We don’t work with clients who exploit staff. That’s a matter of principle.
“We verify documents for plausibility – sometimes, résumés are just too perfect.”
Any insider tips for candidates who want to apply with OPMG?
Elmar Huber: Definitely check out our website – we update our job portal daily. We also welcome applications via social media, email, or ideally, directly through the online job board. At the end of the day, it’s not just about professional skills, but also about the ability to present oneself with poise and professionalism in highly exclusive environments, with discretion as a core value.
You describe your field as a discreet and largely invisible industry. How do you balance discretion with brand visibility?
Elmar Huber: We need visibility so that clients and talent can find us – but that doesn’t mean revealing what goes on behind the scenes. It’s an art: to be fully transparent with business partners while remaining discreet to the outside world. To use an analogy: just because something tastes amazing doesn’t mean we know the recipe.
And who keeps your day-to-day operations running smoothly?
Elmar Huber: Our tailored placement model is a very personal matter. Internally, too, we rely on close communication and a wonderful team spirit across borders. Professionally, I wouldn’t get far without my core team: Vanessa Huber, Executive Assistant – and my sister – and my co-founder Marcel Einfalt. Marcel and I have known each other for over twenty years. We met as young chefs in a luxury Swiss hotel. Along with our other team members, they are invaluable – especially since I travel so much. We’ll soon introduce the entire team on our website. Alongside our job listings, we’ll also publish regular updates!
What have you learned in the past year through OPMG?
Elmar Huber: Don’t judge a book by its cover! Time and again, we’ve seen that someone’s second chapter can be completely different from the first. That’s what makes my job so special ¬– I get to meet fascinating people every day. It brings me a great deal of joy and satisfaction.
“People are so much more than their résumé.”
Imagine you were being placed by OPMG yourself – what role would it be?
Elmar Huber: (laughs) I’d have to think twice before returning to the kitchen. I prefer helping others live a less stressful, more comfortable life – at least when it comes to their private space.
You can reach OPMG by phone at +49 89 414243 99-0 or by email at office@opmgstaff.com.
Their clientele includes global entrepreneurs and corporations, aristocrats, icons from sport and lifestyle, and world-class decision-makers. The team operates internationally and across borders, with Europe as its base – and soon with an office in Zurich, Switzerland. OPMG works exclusively on a success-based model – no upfront fees, no hidden costs. Placement is always free for candidates.
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