Household Manager & Family Assistant

Household Manager & Family Assistant

Location: Brookline, MA 02445

Employment Type: Full-Time | 40 hours per week (overtime available at time-and-a-half; open to candidates seeking up to 45 hours)

Proposed Schedule (4 weekdays per week):

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; core hours 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
• Some flexibility in daily structure is possible for the right candidate.
• No weekend coverage required.

Compensation: $40-45 per hour, based on experience

Start Date: ASAP

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a household management, family assistant, or senior nanny role

• Experience supporting school-age children and preteens strongly preferred

• Proactive, self-directed work style with the ability to anticipate needs without being prompted

• Reliable transportation (own vehicle required); mileage reimbursed

• Candidates are required to be up to date on recommended vaccinations in line with American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines (including COVID-19 and influenza), subject to applicable legal accommodations

• CPR and First Aid certified preferred, or willingness to obtain prior to start

• No cat allergies, as the home includes a cat

• Ability to navigate stairs throughout the day

• Able to maintain a smoke-free environment

• Must be authorized to work in the United States

• About Our Family

• We are a busy, deeply engaged two-parent household with two school-age daughters and a young kitten who has quickly made himself at home. Both parents carry demanding, full-time careers with regular travel, which means our household runs best when someone is genuinely invested in keeping things moving and anticipating what comes next.

• Our girls are wonderful: one is thoughtful, emotionally attuned, and navigating the early years of middle school with a lot of self-awareness; the other brings big energy, creativity, and heart. Both are wildly artistic and love hands-on projects — think slime-making, painting, crafts, and visits to creative spaces. They thrive with someone who shows up consistently, follows through, and treats them with warmth and appropriate boundaries — a trusted adult, not a best friend.

• We have had household support for years and are at a clear transition point: we need someone whose strengths lean toward household management while still being genuinely great with kids during the afternoon hours. Our home is organized and well-maintained, and we want to keep it that way. The right person will step into a home that's in good shape and help us keep it running smoothly through the week.

• We value reliability above almost everything else. We are not rigid — we are happy to flex for the right person and believe in a real partnership. What we ask for in return is communication, follow-through, and a proactive mindset. We will always work with you; we just need to know what's coming.

• Who You Are / What We're Looking For

• The ideal candidate is calm, grounded, and quietly capable. You do not need a detailed task list to have a productive day — you look around, see what needs to happen, and get it done. You have worked with older kids before and understand that preteens need a different kind of presence than toddlers: steady, reliable, warm, and appropriately boundaried. You can hold space for a child who needs to decompress after school without filling the silence unnecessarily.

• You are a strong communicator who gives advance notice when something comes up and follows through on what you say you will do. You're adaptable — happy to shift with the family's schedule when it makes sense, and thoughtful about how you share information. You take pride in a well-run home and notice the things that need attention before anyone has to ask. You are comfortable with pets, organized without being rigid, and genuinely enjoy supporting a family that is doing a lot.

• If you’re someone who is excited to grow with a family and become a long-term part of their household support system, we’d love to meet you!

Key Responsibilities

• Family Support

• Morning departure support: help children get out the door for school

• Afternoon pickup and shuttling (approximately 3:00 to 5:30 PM)

• Playdate coordination with other families and caregivers

• Coordination of children's appointments (dental, pediatric, orthodontic as needed)

• Calendar management using the family's shared scheduling system

• Creative activity facilitation on non-school days (art projects, creative outings, hands-on activities)

• Household Organization & Maintenance

• Maintain household organization systems established by a professional organizer

• Daily home resets to keep the home tidy and ready for the week

• Prepare home ahead of weekly cleaners

• Seasonal wardrobe and décor swaps as needed

• Manage donation drop-offs

• Coordinate packing/unpacking for family travel

• Ongoing clutter clearing and organizational upkeep

• Indoor plant care

• Inventory & Errands

• Restock pantry, refrigerator, and household supplies

• Manage running shopping lists and subscriptions (Amazon, Costco, Target, etc.)

• Handle returns, dry cleaning, and occasional gift shopping

• Mail and package management, including box breakdown

• Meal Support

• Prepare 4 to 5 kids' dinners per week; occasional preparation for adults as well

• Prepare snacks for after-school

• Grocery shopping aligned with family preferences

• Kitchen clean-up and ongoing kitchen maintenance

• School break lunch preparation

• Laundry & Linens

• Full laundry service including wash, fold, and organization

• Occasional ironing and special garment care (infrequent)

• Linen and bedding rotation

• Keep laundry areas tidy and well stocked

• Pet Care

• Assist with or confirm daily cat feeding

• Weekly litter robot maintenance

• Monitor and replenish pet supplies as needed

• Vehicle Upkeep

• Schedule routine maintenance for the family vehicle (oil changes, registration, etc.) approximately once or twice per year

• Deep Cleaning & Special Projects

• Periodic refrigerator cleanouts

• Mudroom and entryway refresh

• Ongoing toy and gear organization

• Clutter clearing and special household projects as they arise

• Vendor & Property Oversight

• Be on-site for service appointments (pest control, landscapers, etc.)

• Relay relevant information to the family and follow up appropriately