Household Manager

Household Manager

Location: Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Employment Type: Part-Time | 25-30 hours per week

Schedule: Monday through Friday, start time of 6 or 6:30am for approximately 5-6 hours/day.

Compensation: $30-$35 per hour, dependent on experience

Start Date: ASAP

• Maintain a smoke-free environment
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Must be comfortable with dogs
• Child-friendly with a safe driving record

We are a busy, close-knit family of five living in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Our household runs on routine, warmth, and a whole lot of love. We have three kids who are full of energy and mostly self-sufficient during the school day, a very easy-going small dog, and a community that rallies around us. Our home is welcoming, organized at heart, and we are committed to keeping it that way.

Right now, our family is entering an important and demanding season. One parent is beginning a medical treatment regimen that will span several months, and we are proactively building a support system to ensure our household keeps running smoothly and our kids feel the same sense of normalcy and stability they always have. The other parent works long days, leaving early and returning late in the evening, which means we need someone who can hold down the morning rush and keep the house prepared and calm throughout the day.

We approach life with intention and positivity. We believe in systems, simplicity, and keeping things light even when life gets heavy. We are looking for someone who brings that same energy into our home every single day.

You are the kind of person who walks into a room and makes it feel a little better. You are patient, kind, trustworthy, and genuinely empathetic. You understand that some days the plan will change, and you embrace that without missing a beat. You are proactive and self-directed; once systems are established, you do not need daily check-ins or hand-holding. You notice what needs to be done, and you do it.

You are organized in a way that goes beyond tidiness — you think in systems, you love labeling, and you find real satisfaction in creating order that lasts. You are punctual, especially in the mornings when it matters most. You are comfortable working independently in a home that is mostly quiet during the day, and you handle your responsibilities with care and professionalism.

You are dog-friendly, comfortable with kids, and bring a genuinely upbeat, grounded presence into the home every day.

• Assist with the morning routine: breakfast setup, prompting kids to get dressed, brush teeth, and pack lunches before they head out the door
• Help the youngest with lunch preparation as needed; older children prepare their own with reminders
• Drop off the youngest child at Montessori school (approximately a 2-minute drive) on days when a parent is not available
• Complete light kid-related errands including activity drop-offs and pickups within approximately a 10-minute radius
• Maintain access to the family's Skylight calendar to stay current on schedules and anticipate the day's needs

• Create and maintain organizational systems throughout the home, with priority areas including the entryway, kids' closets, kitchen, and pantry
• Daily resets including tidying, dishes, wiping surfaces, and vacuuming high-traffic areas
• Prep the home for the weekly cleaner so deep cleaning can happen without clutter in the way
• Fridge and pantry organization and ongoing maintenance
• Seasonal clothing swaps for children, holiday decor transitions, and seasonal bedding changes
• Coordinate donation drop-offs
• Small home maintenance tasks such as changing batteries, light bulbs, and smoke detector checks
• Breakdown and remove boxes as packages arrive

• Wash, fold, and put away children's laundry
• Maintain tidy and well-stocked laundry areas

• Approximately 3 dinners per week — simple, family-friendly meals (pasta, crock pot meals, tacos, etc.)
• Prepare breakfast items including smoothies, eggs, oatmeal, cereal, and fruit before the kids wake
• Prep after-school snack boards (carrots and hummus, fruit, cheese and crackers) ready for when the kids' return in the afternoon
• Kitchen cleanup after cooking; address previous evening's dishes upon arrival as needed
• Grocery shopping and/or order pickup from preferred stores

• Proactively track and replenish household supplies; manage running shopping lists
• Manage household orders and subscriptions
• Handle returns, dry cleaning drop-off and pickup

• Periodic deep cleaning and organization of the fridge
• Entryway refresh and ongoing reset
• Humidifier and air purifier cleaning and maintenance
• Toy and gear rotation; collaborative organizational overhauls of key areas throughout the home

• Fuel the family vehicle when running errands
• Light organizing and upkeep of family vehicles as needed