Estate / Household Manager
Location: Poway, CA. USA
Type: Full Time Min. Experience: 10+ Years
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: Negotiable
Living situation: Live In
Employment: W2 or 1099. TBD
ABOUT US
Handgraaf Estates is a privately held luxury company in La Jolla, San Diego that provides the highest level of Private Staffing and Estate Management. We tailor our service to the exact needs of every client and strive for nothing less but the highest level of service
PLEASE SEND CV & REFERENCES TO
SUMMARY
Family of 5 is looking for a Jack or Jill-of-all-trades Estate / Household manager for their 40+ acre ranch in Poway, California. Due to being at-risk, the principals are VERY cautious with COVID and the candidate is expected to be up to date on all vaccines, wear masks and follow guidelines. The position will consist of 80% managing the property and 20% helping with the children (aged 6, 4 and a new-born).
QUALITIES
All candidates MUST be up to date on all vaccines including the Covid vaccine and be responsible/take proper precautions as far as Covid is concerned. Principals are VERY cautious with Covid.
Must have a clean driving record (car may be provided, if needed).
Principals do not want candidates to have other work obligations outside of this position (no side jobs).
No personal use of cell phone while watching kids (Facebook, Instagram, etc)
Do not come to work if you are sick or have been around someone who is sick. You will still get paid. The family wants to avoid exposure to colds/flu/covid.
All candidates must have a healthy lifestyle. No smoking, no drugs, no excessive alcohol consumption
We are looking for candidates that are loving, kind, patient, creative and can self-initiate activities and have full autonomy as well as take direction.
Must have longevity in prior positions and be looking to join a family long term
The ideal candidate is professional and honest, and has high integrity standards set for themselves
Outstanding references from both current and previous employers. References will be verified.
We are looking for candidates that can produce excellent letters of recommendation and have their credit in good standing.
Must be a self-starter who can learn to anticipate needs and jump in and tend to things without being told.
Able to pass an extensive deep background check, including criminal, references and credit checks
Monday through Friday, but with a 24/7 mentality. Flexible to work evenings, weekends, events and Holidays as needed. Willing to go the extra mile when needed.
Mistakes are ok, lying is not. Owners have zero tolerance policy for lying or anything unethical
Able to travel with little notice.
Strong work ethic, reliable, punctual, and honest.
They are looking for someone who is warm, has great energy but a calm demeanour, can multi-task and is reliable.
Attention to detail is a must.
Principals trust that you will keep all information private. Confidentiality is important
Long-term intent.
Multitasking is key! Deadlines must be met efficiently and effectively.
Privacy, discretion, and loyalty are paramount in this position.
Able to oversee all aspects of work in a meticulous manner.
An amazing opportunity for someone looking to work in a great home where their hard work will be appreciated.
MAIN TASKS
Ensure safety of the children, this is the number one priority at all times.
Keep a calendar for the family, notify family members of upcoming appointments.
Run errands as needed.
Greet guests and provide service during their visit. Oversee all events and dinner parties, orchestrating staff accordingly. (this activity will be minimal during Covid).
Fuel vehicles whenever they are below half full.
Inventory house and restock items as needed, create inventory list of food, baby supplies, bathroom supplies, kitchen supplies, etc.
Make sure the house stays neatly organized and in an orderly fashion.
Assist in putting up and taking down holiday decorations
Plan and coordinate family activities and events as requested.
Make the principals bed daily, help assist the kids in making their own beds.
Assist with personal archival projects. (Send photos and videos to a video editor to make family videos).
Handling of mail, notifying principles of important mail as it comes in.
Help guide children to pick up after themselves.
Develop landscaping schedule and oversee grounds man/gardener.
Send receipts and coordinate with bookkeeper regarding payment of bills/expenses (submit all expenses to bookkeeper)
Cooking or meal prep as needed (family orders a lot of pre made meals that just need
heated up) coordinate and hire a professional cook for any special meals.
Send receipts and coordinate with bookkeeper regarding payment of bills/expenses (submit all expenses to bookkeeper).
Create a spreadsheet to track birthdays and other important dates of family members and friends. Purchases and send gifts accordingly.
Contact, screen, propose and oversee vendors. Compare multiple bids for larger projects.
Ensures that anyone coming inside the house while principals are in residence must be vaccinated and wear a mask.
Create a normal maintenance schedule for household items: HVAC check-up, changing air filters, well maintenance, septic pumping, window washing, power washing patios, adding salt to water softener, etc.
Assist with pre-travel packing and preparations prior to departure and unpack after travel.
If traveling with principal, assist with luggage transportation, unpacking luggage upon arrival to destination and packing luggage upon departure of destination.
Must be willing to travel with principals, trips vary in length between 3 days and 3 months.
Acting as personal assistant as needed
Perform weekly/monthly walkthroughs using household checklists to identify action items.
Identify potential issues/problems regarding the property and suggest solutions
Ensure household is well kept and organized at all times.
Spray down and clean outdoor seating areas, clean outdoor patios, clean cobwebs, bird poop, etc.
Assist if needed on small exterior landscaping projects, or exterior cleaning details
Organize (pickup/put things away) and clean the house and RV garage: Change sheets and towels; make beds; and wash, fold, and iron clothes.
Empty wastebaskets, follow instructions for recycling and taking the trash out to disposal areas.
Replenish all supplies, such as soap, and toilet paper.
Dust and polish furniture and equipment.
Sweep, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, and other floor-cleaning equipment using care on baseboards of the home. Vacuum rugs, carpets, and upholstered furniture.
Wash dishes and put them away.
Organize clothing and personal items.
Work with principals to create a normal cleaning schedule.
You will be in charge of managing all things regarding the house and the property.
Everyone working on site will report to you.
REQUIREMENTS
Must be Fluent in English with exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
Minimum of 10 years of related professional experience working in a high-level private home in a similar role or capacity.
Tech skills (can send emails, manage calendars, using features of a smart home)
Excellent references required from both current and previous employers.
Valid Driver’s License; confident and responsible driver.
Must agree to and pass a thorough background and reference check.
Must be legally able to work in the United States.
OUR CORE VALUES
Principal’s First. Ability to stay focused on meeting and exceeding the Principals needs.
Learn from mistakes. Able to admit mistakes upfront and seeks the truth. Learns and grows from mistakes. Makes thoughtful choices and provides solutions to avoid future mistakes.
Conscientious. Finishes duties mindfully, effectively, and promptly.
Dedication. Shows a deep commitment to the role and people.
Accountable. Takes ownership of tasks and time for due diligence.
Independent. Thinks, acts, and finds solutions independently.
Resilience. Does not complain or shy away from assigned work. Confronts difficulties with a positive outlook.
