House Manager & Family Assistant (with Meal Prep Support)

Title: House Manager & Family Assistant (with Meal Prep Support)

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Employment Type: Part-time (15-20 hours/week)

Proposed Start Date: ASAP

Compensation: $28-32/hour, based on experience

Requirements:

• Maintain a smoke-free environment
• Up-to-date routine vaccinations
• Comfortable and confident around water (family has a pool)
• Ability to pass a background check
• Able to maintain a fragrance-free work environment (including personal care and laundry products) due to allergies

Proposed Schedule:

• Flexible weekday, daytime hours, roughly 3-4 days a week; open to specific days/times for the right candidate that can be communicative and proactive within that flexibility
• Availability for occasional backup childcare on snow days, sick days, etc. preferred

About the Family:

We are a busy, loving family of four (soon to be five, with our third child arriving at the end of January) with two young children, ages 5 and 3. Our older child is in school and our younger is in daycare. Both parents have demanding careers, with one parent working from home in a patient-facing role and the other in an executive position with occasional travel. We're looking for someone who can be an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands at home—helping us stay organized, proactive, and on top of daily household needs so we can lighten the mental load and fully enjoy family time at the end of the day.

We have a nanny who supports before- and after-school care, as well as regular house cleaners, so this role is primarily focused on household organization, laundry, meal prep, and keeping the home running smoothly, with occasional backup support for the children as needed.

We also share our home with two friendly dogs—an English Lab and a Goldendoodle—who mostly attend doggie daycare but may need occasional care and love. While we don't have family nearby, we value structure, calm, and consistency in our home and are seeking someone who can help create and maintain that balance.

Who You Are / What We Are Looking For:

• Warm, Compassionate, and Family-Centered: You are genuinely caring and patient, able to build trusting relationships with children and engage with the family with empathy and kindness.
• Exceptionally Organized and Systems-Driven: You bring a deeply Type A approach to house management—creating, maintaining, and improving household systems, schedules, and routines that keep a busy home running smoothly.
• Structured Yet Flexible with Children: While organization is your strength, you bring Type C adaptability, patience, and emotional awareness when supporting the children or stepping in for backup care.
• Proactive and Self-Directed: You take initiative, anticipate household needs, and follow through independently, managing responsibilities with minimal oversight.
• Experienced and Detail-Oriented at Home Operations: You have hands-on experience with household management, cleaning, and light meal prep, and take pride in maintaining a high standard with strong attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities:

Household Management & Organization:

• Maintain household organization systems (closets, pantry, toys, etc.)
• Reset and tidy rooms daily (loading/unloading dishwasher, wiping surfaces, vacuuming high-traffic areas, putting toys away); ensure home is prepped for regular cleaning services (1-2 times/week)
• Help oversee household calendars and schedules, ensuring everything is in place
• Conduct seasonal swaps for clothing, bedding, and décor
• Support packing/unpacking for travel and coordinate donation drop-offs
• Supervise and coordinate with service providers (cleaners, landscapers, handymen)
• Prep supplies for the weekend or before a trip (e.g., get swim bags ready with goggles, swim diapers, etc.)

Meal Planning & Preparation:

• Prepare 3–4 dinners a week and plan healthy, simple meals/snacks for the family
• Help plan and pack school lunches; assist with batch cooking meals as needed
• Partner with family on InstaCart grocery orders, focusing on pantry and fridge inventory; put away and organize items upon delivery
• Clean the kitchen after meal prep and maintain kitchen tidiness

Laundry & Linen Care:

• Wash, dry, fold, and organize family laundry (including kids' clothes)
• Occasionally iron, steam, and prepare outfits
• Wash comforters and rotate bedding monthly
• Maintain a clean and organized laundry area
• Ensure laundry supplies are well stocked and organized

Pet Care:

• While the dogs mostly go to doggie daycare, assist with occasional pet care as needed
• Help schedule and manage vet visits and grooming appointments
• Ensure pet supplies are stocked and organized

Vehicle Management:

• Schedule and oversee vehicle maintenance, oil changes, and inspections
• Keep vehicles fueled, cleaned, and organized
• Track vehicle registration and service schedules

Vendor & Property Oversight:

• While we have a pool service provider, help oversee pool maintenance (e.g., ensure the pool filter is turned back on after servicing)
• Manage property service providers (cleaners, landscapers, etc.)
• Research and coordinate home repairs or maintenance, including seasonal upkeep

Childcare & Family Support:

• Primary responsibility is managing household tasks and organization, but open assisting with childcare and/or school pick-up/drop-offs when needed (e.g., unexpected home days, nanny is off, etc.)
• Prepare school items (backpacks, clothing/shoes, lunches and snacks) and proactively notice and address anything that comes home needing follow-up (e.g., wet rain boots, forms, or supplies)

Deep Cleaning & Special Projects:

• Tackle occasional deep cleans (fridge, oven, baseboards, etc.)
• Refresh specific areas like entryways, garage, and mudroom
• Organize seasonal décor, toy storage, and gear rotation

How to Apply:

If you're interested in joining our family, please send the following to [contact email]:

• A brief letter explaining why you're a great fit for this position
• Your updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information