Position Summary/Job Duties: | Part-Time Household Manager
Location: Madison, WI (In-person required)
Type: Part-time, 3 days/week, 10 hours initially (growing to 15 hours/week)
Compensation: $20/hour
About the Family
We’re a busy Madison family of 5 with three children. Both parents work full-time—mom is CEO of an AI startup and also advises at UW-Madison. We have a full-time nanny who handles childcare and an Executive Assistant who manages business operations.
What we need: Someone to own the family side of life—coordinating schedules, managing the home, keeping things organized, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks so we can focus on work and quality time with our kids.
About the Role
This is nanny-related work, but without the kids (we have a nanny, though occasional backup “in a pinch”). We’re looking for a proactive, organized Household Manager who can look ahead 3-4 weeks, anticipate what needs to happen, and execute independently. You’ll own the family calendar, coordinate kids’ activities, manage home organization projects, and create systems that make our household run smoothly.
You’ll also become our plant expert, building and maintaining 15+ plants initially (if of interest, growing from there). If you love plants, organization, and making families’ lives easier—this role is for you.
This is NOT:
- ❌ A cleaning role (we have a service)
- ❌ A cooking role (though occasional meal planning and prep support required)
- ❌ A transportation role (nanny handles, though occasional backup)
This IS:
- ✅ Family calendar coordination and planning
- ✅ Home organization and decluttering projects
- ✅ Plant care and indoor gardening expertise
- ✅ Kids’ activity registration and schedule management
- ✅ Party planning and family celebrations
- ✅ Proactive household systems and planning
What You’ll Do
Family Coordination & Scheduling
Family Calendar Management
- Own and manage the family calendar (parents + 3 kids)
- Coordinate weekend schedules 2-3 weeks in advance
- Schedule appointments involving parents (doctor, dentist, teacher conferences, etc.)
- Ensure parents have time blocked for workouts and personal time
- Flag calendar conflicts to EA when they impact work schedule
Kids’ Activities & School
- Register kids for activities, camps, and programs (track deadlines!)
- Coordinate kids’ schedules as needed
- Back-to-school preparation: plan August calendar event for kids to pick out supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, clothes, water bottles
- Set up and maintain family iPad calendar and Hearth display so kids can see their schedules
Gift Management
- Purchase gifts for teachers, kids’ friends’ birthdays, family occasions
- Stay ahead of upcoming birthdays and events
- Maintain gift wrap station and supplies
Plant Care & Indoor Gardening
Build & Maintain Plant Collection
- Research and purchase plants appropriate for each room
- Build collection from 0 to 15 plants in first 3 months
- Grow additional plants within first year
- Expert-level care: watering schedules, light requirements, soil, fertilization
- Pest management and treatment (insecticide, fungicide, etc.)
- Monitor plant health, replace as needed, seasonal adjustments
Summer Gardening (seasonal and optional)
- Plant and maintain native plants in backyard
- Minimal budget, maximum impact
Home Organization Projects
Ongoing Organization
- Be an expert declutterer—ruthlessly get rid of things that aren’t needed
- Organize children’s closets quarterly: prepare donation bags for outgrown clothes
- Basement organization: create plan, propose budget for tools/bins/shelving, execute
- Kitchen/pantry reorganization and maintenance
- Playroom: toy rotation, donate unused items, discard broken toys/games
- Bathroom/linen closets: organize and ensure each bedroom has spare sheet set ready
- Home office/paperwork: file important documents, shred old papers, create filing system
- Photo organization as needed
Seasonal Organization
- Mudroom: 2x/year reorganization (winter gear in fall, rain gear/life jackets in spring)
- Seasonal clothing swaps for kids (winter/summer transitions)
- Holiday decoration storage and organization; help kids and nanny decorate for holidays
Household Operations
Weekly Tasks
- Grocery shopping and pantry management
- Pantry/fridge weekly cleanouts (expired items, organization)
- Freezer organization and maintenance
- Check laundry and do loads as needed to keep things moving
- Manage household supplies via Amazon account (cleaning products, paper goods, toiletries, batteries, light bulbs)
- Light meal planning support (especially weekends, occasionally during week)
Errands & Tasks
- Package management: track, receive, handle returns
- Donation drop-offs with receipts (Goodwill, etc.)
- Dry cleaning pickup/dropoff (rarely)
- Vehicle coordination: schedule oil changes, repairs, inspections on family calendar; coordinate car washes
Home Maintenance
- Coordinate HVAC maintenance 2x/year (heating check in fall, cooling check in spring)
- Coordinate seasonal home maintenance (gutter cleaning, furnace checks)
- Schedule home repairs as needed (plumber, electrician, appliance repairs)
- Be on-site for service appointments occasionally/as needed
Party & Event Planning
Plan & Execute 7-8 Events Annually
- 3 kids’ birthday parties
- Halloween party
- Christmas/holiday celebration
- Valentine’s Day event
- Easter celebration
- End of school party
- Summer party
- Kids’ sleepovers
For Each Event:
- Low-key, kid-focused, tasteful planning with attention to detail
- Work within budget (~$100 per event, discussed in advance)
- Help child make invitations
- Order/create gift bags
- Handle all logistics and details
- Coordinate with kids and nanny for decorating/setup
Seasonal Coordination
Twice per year:
- Boat in/out of water coordination
- Boat storage and maintenance tasks
- Occasional other boat-related projects
What Success Looks Like
Month 1: You understand our family rhythms, have built relationships with vendors, kids’ schedules are coordinated, first 10 plants are thriving, initial organization projects underway
Month 3: 15 plants flourishing, family calendar runs 3 weeks ahead, kids never miss activities, home is noticeably more organized, you’re anticipating needs before we ask
Month 6: 30+ plants, household systems humming, seasonal transitions happen seamlessly, parties executed beautifully, we can’t imagine life without you
Year 1: plants creating a beautiful home environment, comprehensive household manual created, every system optimized, proactive 3-4 week planning means nothing is ever last-minute
You’re the Perfect Fit If You
Required:
- Plant enthusiast with experience: You’ve successfully grown and maintained plants, can show examples, and genuinely enjoy plant care
- Organizational ninja: You love creating systems and making chaos into order
- Proactive planner: You look ahead 3-4 weeks and see what needs to happen before anyone asks
- Expert declutterer: You’re ruthless about getting rid of things and helping families simplify
- Family experience: You’ve worked with families and understand kid-related logistics
- Detail-oriented: Parties, plant care, schedules—nothing slips through the cracks
- Self-directed: You work independently and figure things out without hand-holding
- Excellent communicator: Clear text updates, coordination with nanny and EA
- Flexible: Can occasionally work evenings/weekends; comfortable when things change
- Physically capable: Can lift/move items for organizing, plant care, basement projects
- Comfortable in homes: You’ll work independently in our home most of the time
- Reliable and trustworthy: You have access to our home, family information, and kids
- Local to Madison: You can be at our home 2-3 days/week
- Vehicle required: For errands, donations, appointments
Preferred:
- Professional organizing experience
- Event planning background
- Project management skills
- Horticulture or gardening knowledge
What Will Make This Role Fail
❌ Needs detailed instructions for every task (you’ll work independently)
❌ Not comfortable decluttering/getting rid of things (we need ruthless organizing)
❌ Rigid schedule, can’t be flexible (things change, occasional evenings/weekends needed)
❌ Uncomfortable around children (kids will sometimes be home, you’ll plan their parties)
❌ Can’t lift or move items (organizing requires physical work)
❌ Not comfortable working in someone’s home alone
❌ Poor communication skills (you’ll coordinate with EA, nanny, parents, vendors)
❌ Reactive, not proactive (waits to be told vs. sees what needs doing)
❌ Uncomfortable making purchasing decisions (you’ll have budget authority)
❌ Not detail-oriented (this role requires attention to detail)
❌ Doesn’t respect boundaries (access to private spaces requires discretion)
Work Environment
Schedule:
- Part-time: 3 days/week
- Starting at 10 hours/week, growing to 15 hours/week
- Fridays strongly preferred (3-5 hours to prep for weekend)
- Other 1-2 days flexible based on your availability
- Weekdays 8am-4pm ideal (when kids are at school and parents working from home)
- Occasional evening/weekend flexibility appreciated but rare
Working Style:
- Mostly independent work at our home (organizing, plant care, vendor meetings)
- Some off-site errands and shopping
- Text updates when working or with questions
- Weekly video update and check-in meeting (as needed)
- Privacy and NDA required
Compensation:
- $20/hour
- Flexible schedule
- Room to grow hours as role expands
Example Week
Friday (4 hours, 9am-1pm):
- Check and organize mudroom/entryway for weekend
- Water and care for all plants, treat one with pest issue
- Pantry/fridge cleanout and grocery shopping
- Prepare weekend schedule overview and send to family
- Register oldest child for summer camp (deadline today!)
- Order birthday gift for party on Sunday
Tuesday (3 hours, 9am-12pm):
- Organize playroom: rotate toys, create donation bag, discard broken items
- Be on-site for HVAC maintenance appointment
- Coordinate with nanny/mom/dad about next week’s schedule
- Research and purchase 3 new plants for living room
Thursday (4 hours, 9am-1pm):
- Work on basement organization project (2 hours of hands-on organizing)
- Plan Valentine’s Day party: order supplies, coordinate with kids on invitations
- Schedule oil change for family car and add to calendar
- Light meal planning/prep for weekend (such as hard-boil eggs and order grocery delivery)
- Update household manual with new systems
- Send weekly update to family
How to Apply: Show Us Your Skills
Please create a 1-2 minute video about why you are interested and send via WhatsApp to 608-960-6270. We will use this to select interview candidates.
Prefer traditional application? Submit resume, and why you are interested. The video helps you stand out, though!
Application Deadline: Rolling (reviewed immediately, we need someone ASAP!)
Interview Process
1. Video application review (you’ll hear back within 3 business days)
2. Phone conversation (20-30 minutes)
3. In-person meeting at our home (45 minutes - meet family, see spaces, etc.)
4. Working trial (4-hour paid trial TBD)
Total timeline: 1-2 weeks from application to start date
What We Value
- Independence: You see what needs doing and do it
- Discretion: Complete confidentiality with family information
- Pride in your work: You care about doing things beautifully
- Proactivity: You’re always thinking ahead
- Positive attitude: You bring good energy to our home
- Communication: Keep us informed, coordinate smoothly with the nanny and EA
Why This Role Matters
You’re creating the foundation that allows a busy family to thrive. When the home is organized, schedules are coordinated, kids arrive at activities on time, and beautiful plants make every room feel alive, parents can focus on their work and quality time with their kids instead of being overwhelmed by logistics.
If you love organization and making families’ lives run smoothly, we’d love to meet you.
Ready to transform our home and family life? Apply today.
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