House Manager — Orinda, CA

Job Title: Part-Time House Manager

Location: Orinda, CA 94563

Employment Type: Part-time, approximately 12–18 hours per week

Schedule:

• Tuesday–Thursday, flexible between 8 AM–5 PM
• Occasional evening/weekend flexibility for date nights or entertaining

Compensation: $45–50 per hour, commensurate with experience

Start Date: ASAP

Requirements

• Comfortable working around children, a large dog and an indoor rabbit
• Maintain a smoke-free environment
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Reliable transportation for household errands and occasional family support

About Our Family

We're a warm, active family of four with two daughters, ages 6 and 8, a very sweet (and very large) five-month-old Newfoundland/Poodle puppy, and an indoor rabbit. Our days are full with school, after-school activities, errands, pets, and the usual moving pieces of family life.

One of us works mostly from home, while the other manages the day-to-day rhythm of family life and loves to cook. Food is a big part of our home. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, whether we're cooking for ourselves, trying something new, or getting ready to have people over. The kitchen is truly the heart of the house, and good food, gathering, and hospitality are all a big part of how we live.

We love to entertain and regularly have friends and family over, from casual dinners to larger gatherings and holiday celebrations. We enjoy having a home that feels welcoming and lived in, but we also really value order. Our home is spacious and open, with lots of high-traffic areas, so when things are organized and everything has a place, it makes a noticeable difference in how the whole house feels.

We have a cleaning team that comes twice a week, so this role is less about traditional housekeeping and more about everything that keeps our busy home running smoothly in between. We're looking for someone who enjoys creating systems, keeping shared spaces working well, staying ahead of household needs, and helping a lively home feel calm, organized, and ready for whatever is happening next.

Who You Are / What We're Looking For

You're someone who sees what needs to be done and gets moving. You don't need a detailed list every morning, and you're comfortable setting priorities, taking initiative, and following things through.

You genuinely enjoy creating order and finding better ways for a home to function. That might mean reorganizing a busy entryway, setting up a better system for household supplies, or finally getting a closet working the way it should. You notice the details and take satisfaction in making everyday life easier.

You're also comfortable being part of the natural rhythm, and occasional chaos, of family life. You enjoy being around kids and take a genuine interest in them, even though this is not primarily a childcare role. You can engage warmly and naturally while maintaining clear, consistent boundaries, and you're happy to step in for occasional backup childcare or date-night coverage.

Because food and entertaining are such a big part of our home, this role is also a great fit for someone who enjoys being in the kitchen. From time to time, you'll act as a right-hand person during dinner parties, helping with prep, keeping things flowing, and resetting the kitchen afterward. Regular meal prep is minimal, though there may be occasional batch cooking or freezer prep for agreed-upon items.

Direct, open communication is important to us. You're comfortable asking questions, sharing updates, and speaking up when something needs attention. Some flexibility is helpful as well, including occasional evening support for entertaining and, from time to time, house or pet sitting.

Most of all, we're looking for someone who is capable, thoughtful, and genuinely enjoys helping a busy home feel organized and cared for.

Key Responsibilities

Household Organization & Maintenance

• Build and maintain practical organizational systems throughout the home
• Keep high-traffic areas tidy and reset between cleaning visits
• Organize and donate outgrown clothing, toys, and household items
• Tackle ongoing organizing projects, including closets, kids' gear, and other frequently used spaces
• Support dinner parties, holiday gatherings, and other at-home entertaining

Laundry & Linens

• Fold, organize, and return laundry to its proper place
• Manage linen rotation and laundering in coordination with the cleaning team
• Keep laundry and linen areas tidy, organized, and well stocked

Inventory & Errands

• Keep pantry, fridge, and household essentials stocked
• Maintain running shopping lists and manage household orders
• Handle returns, dry cleaning, mail, packages, and recycling or breakdown of shipping materials
• Assist with occasional gift shopping and other household errands

Entertaining & Meal Support

• Provide hands-on support for dinner parties and at-home entertaining, including kitchen prep, serving flow, and post-event reset
• Help keep the kitchen organized, stocked, and ready for everyday cooking and entertaining

Family Support

• Help keep kids' activities and household schedules organized, including setting up and maintaining the shared Skylight calendar
• Support family travel planning by coordinating activities and reservations once flights are booked
• Help the household reset after travel, including unpacking and laundry

Pet Care

• Provide occasional support with the family's large puppy, including walks and letting him out in the yard
• Coordinate grooming and veterinary appointments
• Keep pet supplies stocked and organized

Vehicle Upkeep

• Schedule maintenance appointments for the family vehicle and coordinate mechanic transport as needed

Vendor & Property Oversight

• Coordinate household vendors, repairs, maintenance, and specialty services
• Maintain key vendor contacts and flag household issues that need attention
• Keep an eye on outdoor spaces, including the pool and vegetable garden, especially during family travel

Deep Cleaning & Special Projects

• Occasional deep cleans of the fridge, oven, and similar areas
• Organize high-clutter zones such as the garage, mudroom, and entryway
• Tackle organizational projects (toys, art supplies, closets, kids' gear)
• Clean humidifiers and air purifiers
• Coordinate window washing and upholstery spot-cleaning

How to Apply

Please send a short intro letter telling us about yourself and why this role feels like a fit, an updated resume, and 3 professional references with contact information. Please note that this role requires a background check.

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